September 19, 2005
Tacoma Dome Rehab Vote Tommorow
The aesthetically-challenged Tacoma Dome - that place I-5 commuters get to look at all too often while stuck in traffic - needs about $45 million of interior refurbishment to remain competitive with other concert and exhibition venues, according to backers of Proposition 1. The measure, on tommorow's ballot in Tacoma, would extend an existing tax levy which built the facility in 1980, and has helped fund it since. Prop. 1 opponents say - correctly - the Dome is currently losing money, and assert it should be privately run. More from the Tacoma News Tribune (free reg. req.); and KOMO-TV. To pass, Prop 1 needs a turnout that's at least 40 percent of the 2004 general election in Tacoma, meaning about 31,000; and a 60 percent majority.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at September 19, 2005
09:56 AM | Email This
1. You won't even get 40% in the general.
2. I live in Tacoma. I ocassionally use the facility. If it can't be operated profitably by the city, then it should be sold to a private interest that will develop it, and run it accordingly. Taxing and then wasting the public money is not the answer.
I'll be part of the few who turn out tomorrow to vote, but I will be voting against the dome aid package.
3. Don't fall for it Tacoma. Seattle spent millions fixing/upgrading the Kingdome - only to tear it down. Let it go. If Tacoma can't make it work, let private industry have a go at it or let a developer tear it down and build something profitable. I guess tractor pulls and pro wrestling aren't the draw they used to be.
4. 2 votes NO in our household.
Another government bottomless pit that can't even come close to being self-sustaining and paying for it's own maintenance.
Kill the dome or privatize it!!!
5. Domes are sure taking it on the chin recently...super and otherwise...
6. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST FOR MANY YEARS. IN 2003 THE DOME LOST $250,000.00 IN 2004 THE LOSS WAS $ 400,000.00 THIS YEAR IT IS ON TRACK TO LOSE $ 500,000.00 OR MORE!!! THESE LOSSES WILL NOT CHANGE WITH A YES VOTE AND DOES NOT INCLUD THE $5MIL. TO $5.5 MIL. THE CITY WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH STARTING IN 2006 FOR OPERATIONS. HEY....MAYBE....WE CAN BRING BACK KEVIN PHELPS TO HELP SOVE THIS PROBLEM?..... NAW HES TO TIED UP WITH SCREWING THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE WITH THE MONO-RAIL PROJECT!!!!
7. Instead of spending the $45 million on spiffing up the T-Dome, why don't we take that money and give everyone who attended an event there last year $3 million each. Take the remaining $24 million and give $2 million each to the other dozen people who actually care about the it.
Until Tacoma gets indoor soccer or minor league hockey back, that place is dead in the water. the Bacon-Bowl is just not that exciting.