"because of so-called Section 79, which is a city referendum approved by Toledo voters on Sept. 11, 2001, that approved funding an arena in the Marina District. East Toledoans and others have said that means the city cannot use city money to
build it elsewhere."
Below is the actual referendum from the City Charter that the commissioners speak of:
Section 79. Compulsory referendum of certain measures - franchises.
No ordinance or resolution for a public improvement requiring or authorizing the expenditure of more than fifteen percent (15%) of the average gross annual current operating expenditures by the City for the five (5) fiscal years immediately preceding, or for the granting of a general public utility franchise, shall be effective until the same shall be approved by a majority vote of the electors voting thereon; provided, however, no convention center, exhibit hall, sports arena, or municipal theater, other than a sports arena located in the City's Marina District, being the area bounded by the Maumee River, Interstate Highway 280, Front Street and Main Street, shall be constructed, acquired, or leased unless the ordinance or resolution authorizing construction bidding, acquisition, or leasing shall have been approved by a majority vote of the electors voting thereon, whether or not such ordinance or resolution requires or authorizes the expenditure of more or less than fifteen percent (15%) of the average gross annual current operating expenditures by the City for the five (5) fiscal years immediately preceding. A general public utility is one in which all the people of the City may have an interest.
(Amended by electors 9-11-01)
So read correctly, This referendum does not prohibit the city from selecting a location outside the Marina District on the East Side for the new Arena. All it does is state that other than the construction of a Sports Arena in the Marina District, all expenditures which exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the average gross annual current operating expenditures by the City for the five (5) fiscal years must be approved by the majority vote of the electors voting thereon.
Therefore, if the City wants to build an Arena outside the Marina District, it is perfectly within their rights to do so but they would have to go back to the voters of Lucas County for approval because it would exceed the 15% stated.
Given only the two choices of Downtown or the East Side (has anyone thought of Southwyck?); I personally think that Downtown Toledo is the best spot for the new Arena. It is time for the aging Sports Arena to come down. 
We have been beating this Dead Horse for too many years now. Just build the damn thing! As it was said..."If you build it they will come". It is equally important that we do not forget about the East side and that an aggressive development plan be finalized for the Marina District.
1 comment:
The other issue is once the five year time period passes it's no longer valid from the way it was explained to me. So even if the dollar amount was exceeded it would no longer be an issue.
I read the complete studies when they came out and they did lean more towards a downtown location. Some of those reasons made sense especially if the arena was built close enough to the convention center. Yet the East side with good reason believes it was promised the arena. There is going to be some long lasting bad feeling if the arena is built downtown. How much and how long is hard to predict.
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