County Prepares Public for Another Venues Hoodwink

The lobbying has gone on for months, but on Tuesday, the Orange County Commission will hear presentations from representatives of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (DPAC), Florida Citrus Bowl, Visit Orlando and the proposed Orlando Soccer Stadium.

The presentations are for “informational” purposes and to “provide an updated status on each of the projects and to answer questions,” but tomorrow is the first time the public will hear discussion on all the projects which are vying for additional Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenues arising from hotel stays.

In July, it was reported that the Orlando Soccer Stadium was looking for $20 million or more from TDT monies, Florida Citrus Bowl another $12 million or more and DPAC $25 million to go towards the last of three performing halls.

“I am not in favor of using tourist tax dollars for a soccer stadium,” said Cynthia Williams, a resident of downtown Orlando. “If we build a soccer stadium, who knows how long it would take to get Major League Soccer here? It could be five years or longer.”  Williams added that she was concerned too, as MLS could arrive in Miami before Orlando, given their greater preparedness.

Williams also said, she wasn’t convinced DPAC would do much for developing small local artists as has been touted, in much the same way that Amway Center has benefited only large businesses, leading to the closure of small shops in the area.

In July, grassroot groups on the left and right urged Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the rest of the Board to do the right thing and reject funding the corporate welfare soccer stadium.  They, like many others say, the nearly $100 million soccer stadium proposed for construction in the Parramore area, will only benefit a handful of corporatists, while bringing low-paying jobs to the area.

Leaders of the grassroot groups – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – will again appear before the County Commission to voice opposition to the taxpayer-funded soccer stadium when public comment begins at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday.

While the County Commission won’t be casting votes on the projects tomorrow, some suggest that Jacobs, who formerly championed openness, transparency, accountability and good stewardship of county finances, has already been bought and sold by Orange County major lobbyists.