Last year, the Tucson City Council unanimously voted to approve building a new 12,300 seat arena downtown as part of a plan including new hotels, to invigorate the ongoing redevelopment in the area. 

Now, new figures on the cost of said arena show a price tag of $196 million, and the sparks have begun to fly as the entire project is re-examined.  Some want the idea of redeveloping the current Tucson Convention Center (TCC) back on the table while others deride the thought as "awful" or a "band-aid" solution. 

Councilwoman Shirley Scott questions whether the public should spend nearly $200 million while local businessman Bruce Ash says, "That kind of number is what I always expected it to be."  He also states that a new arena is critical to business in the city, that without it, the city could lose an opportunity to attract more conventions and ancillary businesses that dovetail such an improvement.  The issue of public vs. private funding of the project is gathering steam.

Meanwhile, squabbling about the design of the arena itself has a new chance to further delay plans, with Councilwoman Nina Trasoff going so far as to send plans to Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects, a Toronto based firm. 

Tucson needs a new arena, and a major project to ramp up the ongoing revitalization of downtown.  Whether public or private money, or a hybrid of the two is used, the pricetag isn't going to get any cheaper.  It is time for the dithering to end and get on or off the pot.  Stick by your decision, City Council, and get the ball rolling.  In the long run, it will greatly benefit the city.  Killing the project now will set the city back 15 years.  It is easier (and cheaper) to lead than play "catch-up."  Rio Nuevo, or whatever label the leaders want to put on downtown redevelopment has some good momentum:  don't stand in the way to play politics.

Arizona Daily Star Story