Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) on Tuesday approved a $94.5 million venues package that supports performing arts, sports, recreation, tourism and commerce.
The 5-to-2 vote in favor of the package came after more than 100 speakers addressed the Commission, over nearly six hours.
The funding package, which included an amendment to the Orlando/Orange County Interlocal Agreement, allows for the use of Tourist Development Tax monies, with $25 million going toward Phase II of the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, $12 million for upgrades to the Citrus Bowl and a $20 million contribution for the construction of a new Orlando City Soccer stadium with a price tag of $85 million.
The Board also approved an additional $10 million for renovations to the Orange County Convention Center and $25 million for Visit Orlando.
“Each of these projects makes fiscal and strategic sense,” said Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “Each will propel diversified streams of visitors, and each will add to our reputation as an international mecca of diversity, sports, culture and entertainment.”
Let this be the final vote ever to fund any more gluttony of sports venues.
Enough is enough!
We do not know how much interest this entire package is going to cost. We do not have transparency from either County or City officials. Will derivatives and other toxic instruments be used to finance this package deal? This will need to be investigated.
Again, Orange County residents will have to bear the burden of austerity measures and go without better employment and business opportunities because we keep funding this monoculture of sports, instead of truly supporting diverse small business funding.
We need to start a movement in Central Florida to stop the use of the tourist tax to reduce the quality of life in Central Florida. I wish the local labor unions would wake up and take this on for the benefit of all working people in Central Florida. Where is our fight? Where is our courage?
We get nothing but low paying jobs from these sports and tourist initiatives while the owners and investors walk away with our wealth.
We need clean elections, clean government and a clean economy. That’s something to work hard for, fight for and live for.