Orlando-Arena.com

2007-07-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

It All Comes Down to This…

Today is the day. After 2 years of discussion, debate, and feasibility studies, Orange County will finally make their decision. Are our elected officials going to step up and approve these venues or are they going to vote them down?

Regardless of what happens today, these venues will eventually be built or refurbished (in the case of the Citrus Bowl). It’s inevitable, this city/county will not go another 20 years with a substandard venues while cities like Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa keep upping the ante. No major city with the make up of Orlando, is without up to date facilities for their residents.

Louisville? Just approved a brand new $400 Million dollar arena.
Las Vegas? A $9 Billion dollar redevelopment plan including a new arena and possible performing arts center

Cities like Nashville, Charlotte, Memphis and similar cities have all updated their performing arts centers and sports venues in the last 10 years.

The thing we have to look at is do we want to do it now, while we still have long term occupants? If the Magic leave, there will be no new basketball team in 10 years when a new arena is eventually built. If a new performing arts center isn’t built, several, such as the ballet, philharmonic, opera, and other local productions that have to share the current venue will never reach their full potential. If the Citrus Bowl is denied renovations, there will be no high level SEC #2 v. Big 10 #2 type game that will just take the place of the Capitol One Bowl.

These venues are expensive and they do have some risk involved. But every project has some risk involved. However, the risk that opponents point to is not on the level they’d want you to believe.

The final breakdown of the major funds:

TDT – 540 Million
It has been rehashed more times than none that this tax cannot be spent on roads, education, and schools. In many of the emails I have received over the last two years the majority ask me, “then why don’t we change it?” Lately, Harris Rosen has come out and voiced his opinion that he’d like to see it changed in favor of spending on police protection in the tourist corridor. Simply put: It won’t happen. The hoteliers and tourism officials who pushed for the tax many years ago don’t want it to change. For Mr. Rosen, it is the only way he knows he can defeat these projects. He knows that it will be very hard to change the TDT, look at the vote of the tourist development counsel yesterday (7 to 1, Rosen being the only no); look at Disney and Universal’s response to these projects. It’s just not a law they’re not willing to change because they will lose the money that they don’t have to front to promote the area. However, Mr. Rosen knows that if he came out and stated his original argument that this money needs to be spent on advertising, he won’t garner much support either. Why? Because it was his argument up until about 3 weeks ago. He said it at the Commissioner’s meetings, he’s said it to the Tourist Development counsel, and has said it to the media. However, people weren’t running towards his corner.

Downtown CRA - $160M -
http://www.cityoforlando.net/planning/Transportation/images/Exhibit%20A.jpg
Many are not familiar with the Downtown CRA and what it entails. Basically it is a special taxing district approved for a downtown footprint. From the City of Orlando website explanation the CRA was created “to provide a method for redeveloping Downtown Orlando through the use of a funding source separate from the City of Orlando. This funding source is referred to as Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which is an effective tool to underwrite the cost of projects and programs to bring about community revitalization. TIF is used by the City to capture future increases in property tax revenue in turn making these dollars available as a development investment or incentive. The real estate taxes from new development can then be used to pay off the debt incurred while stimulating that development. Through this economic development investment, Orlando can best foster business development and job creation.”

Some of the projects that this fund has underwritten? The Lynx Lymmo transportation, parking garages, several private ventures (condos and the such) and landscaping. If not used, it in all likelihood will not go to schools, will not go to roads outside of the downtown footprint, and has only been spent on limited types of police and fire services.

Overruns – What if the arena costs us more than what stated?
The Magic have agreed to pay the overruns on the actual building. Something that hasn’t been stressed because of the negative connotation the idea of overruns has on these projects.

My Final Remarks:

The original idea for this site came when I received word that the county was considering the increase of the Tourist Development Tax in 2005. Since then I have had several lively email debates, which still continue at this moment, and several good points have been made by the opposition to these venues. With a debate like this you are never going to have one side that is completely right and another side that is completely wrong. However as Americans it is our right to have political beliefs and voice them. I encourage anyone who can make it out today whether you support these venues or not, because this is your chance to be heard.

201 S. Rosalind at 2pm. I have been told that they are expecting to go very late tonight to allow as many people as possible to be heard. 201 S. Rosalind at 2pm, it should last a few hours.

If you cannot attend it will be on Orange TV on Brighthouse channel 9 or on the net: http://www.orangecountyfl.net or www.OrlandoSentinel.com

I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me the last two years, those who have debated with me about these issues, and everyone who has read the site.

As always feel free to email me at Orlando_Arena...[AT]...Hotmail...[DOT]...Com

Venues Letter

2007-07-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

Remember, please fill in all blanks (it's more common than you believe). And if you feel like adding more information to the letter be my guest. Just be professional, use your first and last name name in anything you send out. Most of all be professional.

Questions about your district? District Map

I do have a new email: Please email me with questions, comments, anything at orlando_arena [AT] hotmail.com

Thanks!
____________________________________________________________________________________

7/__/2007

Mr./Mrs./Ms. _____________________,

My name is ___________________ and I am writing this letter in support of the proposed venues in Orange County. It is my belief that the overall value these venues will add to our community far outweigh the projected costs. It is my understanding that the majority of the costs will be backed by the Tourist Development Tax, a tax that has been used throughout the state on similar projects and cannot be used on other needs such as roads, education, or public services.

While I know there are several different viewpoints on these proposed venues, in the end everyone wants what is what is best for our county and I believe these venues are a good start.

I appreciate the time you have given me, and hope you will consider my support when it comes time to make your decision.

Sincerely,

______________________

Mail To:

Mayor
County Mayor Richard Crotty
201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801

Email: mayor [AT] ocfl.net

District 1:
Commissioner Teresa Jacobs
201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801

Email: district1 [AT] ocfl.net
District 2:
Commissioner Fred Brummer
201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801

Email: district2 [AT] ocfl.net

District 3:
Mildred Fernandez
201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801

Email: district3 [AT] ocfl.net

District 4:
Commissioner Linda Stewart
201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801

Email: district4 [AT] ocfl.net

District 5:
Commissioner Bill Segal
201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801

Email: district5 [AT] ocfl.net

District 6:
Commissioner Tiffany Moore
201 S. Rosalind Ave., 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801

Email: district6 [AT] ocfl.net

County Meeting Highlights!

2006-09-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

There were several points that I did not know myself and several commitments made to Orlando if they built an area.

1) Professional Bull Riding - Week long International Championship held at new arena, will be a major event on the PBR.

2) NCAA - will return to Orlando with 1st/2nd round AND Regional matchups in the NCAA men's and women's basketball tourny, along with several other NCAA sanctioned events.

3) Conference - ACC/MEAC pledged that they will put Orlando at the top of their lists as possible sites for conference championships. (MEAC championship, be it smaller schools is very successful event)

4) David Stern - Orlando guarenteed to get an Allstar game and will be on a rotation for this game as the NBA tries to rotate the game like the Super Bowl.

5) Magic - Cannot give EXACT number as there is too much to still plan before giving the number (location, size, etc.) Will give more than most NBA teams have given in the past. Further...They will pay any OVERRUN in the $385 Million construction cost.

The Magic also pledged a large donation to the PAC and will help the FCS to obtain a BCS game with refurbished Citrus Bowl.

Seemed well received.

Arena Locations Map

2006-08-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

Map Here

The Orlando Sentinel presented a map of the possible downtown locations today. The most likely is the location between Chruch and South.

Real GM hosts new Orlando-Arena.com article.

2006-07-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

http://magic.realgm.com/articles/43/20060726/orange_county_takes_a_huge_step_to_providing_a_new_arena/

I-Drive Back at it?

2006-07-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_18201.shtml

ORLANDO: The Magic will be getting a new arena, informed sources say the team may be close to announcing the terms of the agreement, but its believed the team is going to partner with a developer willing to donate the land for a new building, in exchange for a minor stake in the team. The new arena will be part of a larger development near Orlando’s theme park district. The bulk of the funding will come from Orlando’s hotel “bed tax”, with the DeVos family contributing a small amount in upfront funding. The Magic have issued a “gag order” on the arena issue, so no one inside the team is permitted to talk on the record, but sources close to the subject on the city side, believes a deal will get made this season, and the team could begin play in the new building as early as 2009.

Orange County Approves Increase in Tourist Tax

2006-07-19T17:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-bk-tax07182006,0,3375675.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

More Soon!

Bianchi and Thomas Debate on Arena on Orlando Radio Station.

2006-05-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

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 Â½% 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

Comparing Arenas

2006-05-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

Orlando is considered to be a "small market" franchise in the NBA, therefore comparing the arena and the city to other "small market" cities who have recently upgraded their facilities gives you an idea of why many are saying that the TD Waterhouse Centre is out of date. These cities have all taken the initiative to make sure they are able to compete for exposure and the best concerts/shows/sporting events, will Orlando/Orange County do the same?

All of these venues are deemed state of the art and have enough suites (in GOOD locations) to assure that the venue can survive for a very long time. If you compare the previous venues to the TD Waterhouse, you can see that these clubs also had similar set ups, costs, and dates of construction.

FedEx Forum - Memphis, TN

Specs:
Date: 2004
Ownership: City of Memphis and Shelby County
Cost of Construction: $250 Million
Arena Financing: Public

Seating:
Basketball: 18,165
Hockey: 12,633
Luxury Suites: 75 Suites
Club Seats: 2,500

Previous Venue

The Pyramid
Date: 1992
Basketball: 20,000
Hockey: n/a
Concerts: 21,000
Luxury Suites: 26 Suites
Club Seats: None

AT&T Center - San Antonio, TX

Specs:
Date: 2002
Ownership: VIA Transit Authority, City of San Antonio
Cost of Construction: $186 million
Arena Financing: City sales tax

Seating:
Basketball: 18,500
Rodeo: 17,000
Hockey: 13,000
Luxury Suites: 50 Suites

Previous Venue:

Alamodome:
Date: 1992
Basketball: 20,662
Luxury Suites: 38 Suites
Club Seats: 6,000

Charlotte Arena - Charlotte, NC

Specs:
Date: 2006
Ownership: City of Charlotte
Cost of Construction: $265 million
Arena Financing: 100% publicly funded

Seating:
Basketball: 18,500
Hockey: 14,100
Luxury Suites: 51 Suites
Club Seats: 2,300

Previous Venue:

Charlotte Coliseum
Date: 1988
Ownership: City of Charlotte
Cost of Construction: $52 Million
Arena Financing: 100% publicly funded
Basketball: 24,042
Hockey: 21,684
Concerts: 23,780
Boxing: 23,041
Luxury Suites: 12 Suites
Club Seats: None

TD Waterhouse Centre

Date: January 29, 1989
Ownership: City of Orlando
Cost of Construction: $98 million

Seating:

Basketball: 17,248
Hockey: 15,948
Luxury Suites: 26 Suites
Club Seats: None

Great Bianchi Article!

2006-04-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/columnists/orl-bianchi2306apr23,0,506159.column?coll=orl-sports-col

Bianchi couldn't have said it better. I will have an article about this up by tomorrow morning.

Arena Location Possibilities

2006-04-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Downtown:

This is the logical location for the arena. The Parramore area is currently being redesigned, adding office buildings, condos, retail shops, and restaurants.

Downtown Map

Pros:
- Easy access to everyone in the Metro Orlando area.
- Help revitalize the Downtown Orlando area, a project which has built several condos and retail areas.
- Would create and epicenter for entertainment and socialization

Cons:
- Could hurt current residents with displacement
- Parking wouldn’t be ideal
- Orange County, which is fronting most of the money, would prefer for it not to be here.

I-Drive Area:

This would be a good area to satisfy the hotel owners, which would have an increase on customer taxes to pay for the new venue.

I-Drive Map

Pros:
- Could be a great area for a venue of this nature, they could create what could be the best venue in the NBA.
- Would let the arena be used for more for conventions giving more use and increase likelihood of events such as the Women’s Final Four and NCAA 1st and 2nd weekend games.
- Plenty of undeveloped land available.

Cons:
- Not central at all. Many traffic problems could lead to attendance problems for all events in the long run.
- Land is expensive. The county could use the laws of eminent domain to gain the land at a reasonable price, but this could upset the hotel owners.
- Traffic problems during peak tourist seasons and I-4 could cause problems

Maitland:

This really doesn’t stand much of a chance, but it could happen. RDV currently houses a lot of his operations there.

Maitland Map

Pros:
- High population area, and current home to the RDV sports complex.
- Right off the Interstate

Cons:
- Residential Opposition
- Not very much land some homes would be displaced.
- On the edge of North Orange County

Osceola County:

If Orange County falls through this is a possibility, but highly doubtful because of lack of funding.

Osceola Map

Pros:
- Plenty of land available
- Area of tremendous growth
- Would be built close to the Gaylord Palms Hotel.

Cons:
- Far away from population center
- No easy access to the area and would have to take many roads to get there.
- Osceola County would have to front the bill

Other Possibilities:

Ocoee/Winter Garden - even with the beltway it's a hard area to get to.
Eastern Orange County - See above, strong population base however.

Without a doubt Downtown is the ideal location. However hotel owners will have a strong say in where the arena would go if the tourist tax is approved. If you have any questions, comments, etc feel free to email me.

A New Arena Could help Push Orlando/Orange County to the American Forefront

2006-02-21T06:28:00.000-08:00

When this website started in April of last year my goal was to present the “pro arena” vantage to people of the Orlando/Orange County area and even if it did not change their mind, I hoped to at least offer a different viewpoint. One of the main issues I have run across is the fact that there are people who do not enjoy sports, concerts, or shows and see no reason why a new arena would help the Orlando/Orange County area. Recently news leaked that could offer a different vantage to those people.

The Orlando Sentinel has reported that both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions have been bid on by the city/county to take place here in 2008. Regardless of your political affiliation these are prestigious events, which would put Orlando/Orange County in a spotlight that has not been previously achieved. While there is no chance that both conventions will be hosted in the region, there is a good shot that one of these political parties could find Orlando as a suitor for their marquee event. Richard Crotty (Republican) and Buddy Dyer (Democrat), the two most powerful leaders in the area, have both put the bids in for their respected party’s conventions. While the intention is currently to try and sway the parties to host it at the Orange County Convention Center, the reality is that the chances of getting the parties to agree to a temporary setup are probably not going to happen. Both political parties have stated that they prefer their conventions to be in arenas that can fit 20,500-22,500 people, have 100 (or so) suites to put VIPs and news organizations, and in a “bowl shaped setting” to fit their delegates. The TD Waterhouse Centre currently does not cater to such venue specifications. (Holds 18,039 and contains 26 suites all situated well above the optimal viewing area for a VIP) The Democrats haven't been in a "convention hall" setting since San Francisco in 1984, and they have openly stated that they don't want to go back. There's less seating, bad sightlines for any far-away seats, and no existing skyboxes to entertain the VIPs in such setups.

This jumps to the idea of a new arena, while it wouldn’t be built specifically for this convention, the convention itself could be a catalyst in building a new arena in Orlando/Orange County. Both leaders know a commitment to the new arena could solidify their respected bids and with a new facility by 2008 the city/county could have a beautiful venue open up that could enhance the area as a major artery in the American infrastructure. This would push Orlando/Orange County to the forefront of the country, much like past convention cities Boston, New York, and San Diego have been. It would help solidify the “New Orlando/Orange County” that isn’t just theme parks and outlet malls, but a destination for business men to come for the golf and host their future conventions here. The ultimate result would be an increase in revenues for very source that would pay for a new arena, the tourist tax in Orange County, which has been the biggest opposition from hoteliers to this point.

Hopefully, with the help of local hoteliers and local leaders the arena situation can be resolved to help assure that events like this come to the area in the future and set the city/county up for a bright future.

Downtown Orlando Hits Building Boom

2005-08-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

Recently Dynatech announced its intentions to build a 440 ft. skyscraper in downtown Orlando. News like this in the past has come and gone, most times with the building being scraped or forgotten. However, this is a much different situation. The Dynatech Centre (http://dynetechcentre.com/) will be the 10th major skyscraper proposed to be built in downtown Orlando by the year 2008, with two already under construction.

City officials have never been more positive about the health of downtown and its future. Proposals are abound for more entertainment areas that include restaurants, shops, and a new publicly paid performing arts center. I am not opposed to that at all, a performing arts center is needed in the community. However, we cannot stop there, a new arena would be the perfect addition to the downtown residential market that will be booming over the next few years. Over 2500 Condos will be built with these skyscrapers, a major risk, considering if the residential boom stops many developers could be out major money leaving Orlando blacklisted.

If Orlando and Orange County want to keep developers happy it is their responsibility to help assure that residents want to stay in downtown Orlando. A new arena will definitely be a start because it provides for all facets of entertainment. Sports, concerts, and shows often frequent news venues and allow for those residents to be entertained in a number of ways. New downtown residents will have easy access to the venue and would put more demand on shows and concerts to come to the Orlando area. Downtown Orlando is at its crossroads right now, they want to be a world class area for many of today’s upscale residents, a new arena will be another few steps in this direction.

On a personal note: I apologize for the lack of updates on this site. It comes from a combination of my summer being extremely busy and the lack of news since there is not much going on at the arena right now. The site should have a new look this fall. Thanks for your support.

TF

Brian Hill Will Help Push for the New Arena

2005-05-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

The addition of Brian Hill will benefit the Magic’s push for a new arena, plain and simple. Most of the Magic’s community support/attendance problems have stemmed from the fact that management allowed Penny Hardaway to lead a players’ uprise against Hill, eventually forcing him from the job.

Brian Hill is well respected and friends with most of the people in the communities that the Magic need support from in order to get a new arena. He has stayed in the Orlando area and continues to donate a lot to the community. This is a very good move for community support.

A New Arena will Make Orlando More than a Tourist Town

2005-05-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Prior to 1992, when Shaquille O’Neal stepped foot into Orlando, no one knew of the city as anything but a tourist town. In 1995, during the NBA Finals run of the Magic, the city had never had a level of pride that the exhibited during those times. People were talking about Orlando for the first time as a community, not as a destination. Disney and Universal were saying they were part of the Orlando area, rather than Orlando saying they were part of the tourist area. Tourism has made us the town we are today, but the city and county have continuously strived to remove this image to bring in new businesses to the area. We are one of the fastest growing Metro areas in the country and the twentieth ranked TV market. Having the Magic and a nice arena to create a vibrant epicenter in town will only reinforce the image of a residential community.

A new arena is plausible and well within our grasp. If we do not speak up and tell they county/city what we as residents want, we will never get it. I only hope that in some way my website speaks at a level to inform the residents of Orlando/Orange County of what a new arena would do for the community and that it can be paid for without hurting their pocketbooks. Please visit www.orlando-arena.com for more information and tell your friends, family, coworkers, and most of all your elected representatives to let them know what you want.

Orlando Gains an AHL Tenant

2005-05-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

The AHL, the top minor league in hockey has had whispers of moving one of its teams to the TD Waterhouse Centre.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-spthockey05050505may05,1,6975581.story

I apologize for not updating often, but there will be more frequent updates starting this week.

Orange County Tourist Tax Figures

2005-05-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

Orange County Tourist Tax Figures at 5%:

2000 $108.2 million
2001 $104.8 million
2002 $91.7 million
2003 $93.4 million
2004 $111 million
2005 $120.1 million (projected)

The lapse in 2002 was caused by a drop in tourism due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The county currently claims a 5-year average growth of tourist tax revenues of 2.8%, but that is because they factor in the 9/11 effect. Moving forward, growth will be, and has been, much more rapid but the county is hiding behind this smaller growth projection.

At 5% the Orange County Tourist Tax continues to grow, but as mentioned before is all used exclusively for the convention center. However, an increase to 6% will bring more revenue from the tax that could be invested in local venues for the residents, such as a new arena.

Local Resident Sends in Editorial About Arena

Recently Peter R. McGrath, a resident of Orange County wrote a very strong letter to the editor at the Orlando Sentinel about the shortsightedness that some people are taking when it comes to the idea of a new arena. His views reflect the idea that a new arena does more for Orlando than just keep the Magic here. Because I have received permission to reprint the editorial I have provided the link to this article…scroll down on the site to find it.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/orl-edple03050305may03,1,6299598.story

Thanks to Chase Brenton for compiling the numbers and county tax information contained in this report.

RealGM.com Hosts Orlando-arena.com Guest Article

2005-04-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

For those of you who did not get to read my recent guest article on RealGM.com feel free to visit it at:

http://magic.realgm.com/articles/9/20050428/www.orlando-arena.com_takes_on_the_arena_issue/

Special thanks to Howard Mass and RealGM.com.

Also special thanks to Jerry Greene at the Orlando Sentinel for recently mentioning the site in his "Cheap Seats" section.

I have received several emails in support of the site, thank you. Please tell everyone about the site the more support we get the stronger the base. Feel free to email me with any questions, comments and concerns.

The Orange County Convention Center

2005-04-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

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.

Mayor Dyer and the Arena

2005-04-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

David Whitley, a columnist for the Orlando Sentinel, wrote a great article the other day on the Convention Center, the Arena, and Mayor Dyer.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/columnists/orl-sptwhitley21042105apr21,0,1189048.column

Thanks to Howard Mass at www.realgm.com for mentioning Orlando-Arena.com in his recent article.

If you have any comments feel free to email me at Contact@Orlando-Arena.com

Welcome to the Daily Blog of Orlando-Arena.com

2005-04-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

Here you will be able to find the most up to date information on our goal to get a new arena built for the residents of Orange County. Since 1989 the TD Waterhouse Centre (formerly the Orlando Arena) has stood in downtown Orlando and unfortunately, it is severely obsolete.

We have created this website because we are concerned with the fact that many people believe that as residents of Orange County they will have to foot the bill for a new arena. This is not entirely true! As shown on the main site the Orange County Tourist Tax is currently at 5%, state law lets you raise the tax to 6%. Further, many of you may believe that the tourist tax itself could be used to improve roads and schools. State law does not allow this, it must be used to enhance tourism in the Central Florida area, one such way is through sporting venues.

I hope that you will find this site as a useful educational tool to help the citizens of Orange County understand the advantages that a new arena could bring to our community. Feel free to comment on any changes I can make to the site to make it more useful, it is still in its beginning stages.

Thank You,

JF