Bianchi and Thomas Debate on Arena on Orlando Radio Station.

On Tuesday afternoon on 740 the Team's "Coach and Company", Mike Bianchi and Mike Thomas had a moderated debate about the current arena situation. Mike Thomas admitted that the ½% funds from the increase in the tourist tax should go to Orlando facilities, however the city needs to back it up with other taxes as an emergency fun, should the tourism tank. Thomas also made a feeble attempt to try and justify that priority of the tax should be on the proposed 2500 seat PAC, because it would lead to more growth downtown than a 17,500 seat arena. While higher classes of people attend more of the events at the PAC, the Magic games have their share of that population plus others, leading to an arena that would promote a diverse population downtown.

The result of the debate rang clear, Orange County has the funding available, and the arena, performing arts center, and Citrus Bowl deserve part of that money. Orlando, in its pursuit to be a premier American city, wants to distance its tourism image. From high rise condos to revamped local entertainment districts, the city is slowly molding image it hopes to someday be, the arena would only further this.

Bianchi's argument featured the fact that Tampa has recently obtained the rights to the ACC, SEC basketball tournaments and the Women's Basketball Final Four. Events that might not have been shoo-ins in the Orlando area, but would easily be considered with a new arena. The conversation then led into a debate about concerts that have passed up the population base of 2 million in Metro Orlando. Thomas argued that these concerts did not come because the arena was filled by dates scheduled for the Magic and Predators, however the St. Pete Times Forum has two similar residents in the Lightning and Storm, using the arena almost as much as the TD Waterhouse is used. This argument would be good, had it been last year, when the NHL was locked out.

To sum it up outside of the Citrus Bowl you could not form a solid argument against a new arena or PAC when tourist funding is available. Both Bianchi and Thomas did a good job giving their views to a hcontroversialversal issue. Every great American city has great venues for public use. Will Orlando join the ranks or will it stay as it is, a good city supported by tourism?


The Debate can be found here:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-740podcastdebate-051606,0,4612629.mp3file?coll=orl-home-promo