The Orange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center has been a new arena’s biggest roadblock. Recently, the Orlando Sentinel did a three day report on the 2003 convention center expansion and how it has affected Orange County.
By the numbers:
$ 748 Million – Cost of the 2003 convention center expansion
$ 111 Million – Amount of the Orange County Tourist Tax in 2004
$ 91.1 Million – Amount of that spent on the convention center
$ 94 Million – Amount spent on the TD Waterhouse Centre through the tourist tax since 1992.
$ 22.2 Million – Amount of money the county would have extra if the tourist tax was the state maximum 6% in 2004
The hoteliers have received everything they have asked for to date. On the other hand, the citizens of Orange County are missing a source of funding utilized by many other Florida counties to improve the offerings for their residents.
"They [the tourism industry] just want it all to go back to advertising and promotion of the convention center," Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart said. "You understand where they are coming from, but there are other priorities here."
In a recent OrlandoSentinel.com poll the question was asked, “If additional tourist tax funds were available, what would you like it spent on?” Of the 498 responses 51% answered with “A renovated or new arena” over choices that included expansion of the convention center.
Another poll done in February on OrlandoSentinel.com posed, “How important is building a new arena for the Orlando Magic and Orange County?” The 4740 Responses included 50.4% of the vote saying “very important” and 13.7% saying “somewhat important.”
The Orange County Commission led by Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty has the final say in how the tax is spent. Should it be spent on a venue that many of us will never visit because the majority of it is for private use or should it be used on a public venue that will host concerts, sports, shows, and community events? This is our opportunity to tell them how we feel.
Sources from the Orlando Sentinel were used to compile this report.
By the numbers:
$ 748 Million – Cost of the 2003 convention center expansion
$ 111 Million – Amount of the Orange County Tourist Tax in 2004
$ 91.1 Million – Amount of that spent on the convention center
$ 94 Million – Amount spent on the TD Waterhouse Centre through the tourist tax since 1992.
$ 22.2 Million – Amount of money the county would have extra if the tourist tax was the state maximum 6% in 2004
The hoteliers have received everything they have asked for to date. On the other hand, the citizens of Orange County are missing a source of funding utilized by many other Florida counties to improve the offerings for their residents.
"They [the tourism industry] just want it all to go back to advertising and promotion of the convention center," Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart said. "You understand where they are coming from, but there are other priorities here."
In a recent OrlandoSentinel.com poll the question was asked, “If additional tourist tax funds were available, what would you like it spent on?” Of the 498 responses 51% answered with “A renovated or new arena” over choices that included expansion of the convention center.
Another poll done in February on OrlandoSentinel.com posed, “How important is building a new arena for the Orlando Magic and Orange County?” The 4740 Responses included 50.4% of the vote saying “very important” and 13.7% saying “somewhat important.”
The Orange County Commission led by Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty has the final say in how the tax is spent. Should it be spent on a venue that many of us will never visit because the majority of it is for private use or should it be used on a public venue that will host concerts, sports, shows, and community events? This is our opportunity to tell them how we feel.
Sources from the Orlando Sentinel were used to compile this report.
posted by Trey (formerly TF) at 5:40 PM
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