THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 2, 1997 TAG: 9702020095
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: The NHL in Hampton Roads
SOURCE: BY TONY WHARTON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 124 lines
What questions do you have about a proposed hockey franchise? Here's what some residents asked of local officials.
Sharon Smith of Norfolk thinks about potholes that need fixing when she reads about a proposed $143 million arena to hold a new pro hockey team.
Daniel Olson of Virginia Beach takes risks with his own money in his business, but wonders if regional leaders are taking too many risks with his tax dollars.
Harry Haverty of Norfolk considers the many homeless people and asks, what are our priorities?
They connect their everyday concerns with the larger issue of whether Hampton Roads should build a new arena if we get a National Hockey League expansion franchise.
Political leaders talk about it like this: How can we best develop Hampton Roads economically? What will help us compete with other cities nationally? What's the best bargain we can drive?
The Virginian-Pilot asked readers to submit questions about the project, and we posed several of them to area mayors and officials. The officials replied, except Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, who referred all but one of the questions to the regional negotiators who put together the proposed deal.
More than 60 people called or wrote with questions, including Smith, 54, of Norfolk, who asked whether a pro hockey franchise would hurt the chances of getting an NBA or NFL team.
``I understand a city has to grow and build and take chances,'' said Smith. ``I'm not saying we shouldn't grow, we shouldn't attract tourists.
``I'm just doubting some of their decisions on how they spend our money. When I'm driving home every day over potholes, I wonder.''
Harry Haverty, Norfolk:
``My question is, what are your priorities for the city?''
Background: Haverty and others, particularly William Paul Bailey in Virginia Beach, noted that we have problems with the homeless, education, and other issues that the arena funds could be used for. When residents see money suddenly generated for a project like this, they said, they wonder if the cities are really as short of money for everyday needs as they sometimes say.
Responses:
Fraim, mayor of Norfolk: ``My priorities for Norfolk are that we create a city which is a good place to live, work, learn and play. To do this, Norfolk, together with our sister communities, needs to stimulate the region's rate of economic growth and creation of good-paying jobs. One way of attracting new investment is to catch the attention of those companies who are looking for a place to locate their next plant or office, and major league sports has a demonstrated record of doing just that in communities such as Jacksonville and Charlotte.''
Art Collins, leader of the Hampton Roads Sports Authority and a member of the Hampton Roads Partnership's negotiating team on the arena:
``You can say that for the zoo, for the science museum. There are a lot of things we spend money on that could be spent on other things. The arena and the possession of a hockey team need to be viewed as part of a regional economic development strategy. If you look at the number of people who learned what Hampton Roads is just because they called the various sports lines to discuss the franchises, that's free advertising, folks.
``This is part of a strategy to let the country if not the world know what Hampton Roads is. In that light, it's a very reasonable expenditure. The Nashvilles, the Charlottes, the Jacksonvilles figured that out a long time ago, and they're beating our pants off. And that's the test.
``For a long time we were a federal enclave, and as long as Uncle Sam was sending us the money, we could rely on that. But that's ending. Mr. Shinn is bringing a $80 million-to-$100 million business to this community, and that's his money. I hope he makes a zillion dollars. You know why? Because we get a piece of it.''
Dan Evans, Chesapeake:
``My question is to the leaders of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. What will it take for them to support this project?''
Background: The financing deal worked out by the Hampton Roads Partnership for the proposed arena calls on each of 15 regional cities and counties to chip in the equivalent of $1.50 per resident per year for 30 years, a total of $2.3 million a year. The support of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, two of the largest cities, would be crucial. Localities won't vote on the deal until the NHL indicates whether it may select Hampton Roads.
Responses:
Meyera Oberndorf, mayor of Virginia Beach: ``Before any county or city can definitively support or decline to participate in the NHL project, a careful review and analysis of the final deal must occur. This is necessary and appropriate in order to exercise the care that our citizens and taxpayers deserve when considering any major public investment. The negotiations with the Rhinos are not to the point where this careful analysis can occur. Further, before much additional energy is spent on this effort, the NHL must decide which of the applications it will authorize for an expansion franchise. This, hopefully, will occur during the month of February.''
William Ward, mayor of Chesapeake: ``At this point, it is not clear in my mind that there are any residual benefits for Chesapeake. If we are expected to contribute $1.50 per person per year for 30 years, that's still close to $300,000 a year. Given the infrastructure pressures that Chesapeake possesses, that's going to be a pretty tough proposition. We have to balance our internal pressures against the region's needs. If there is more discussion of residual benefits in the form of revenue sharing, it would provide more of an attractive element than just public relations for the area.''
Regional team: ``It will take the belief that this project serves the purpose of promoting regional cooperation. That it provides a vehicle to build an `image' for the region which will attract new investment and enhanced economic development opportunities. And most importantly, that it serves the interest of their citizens.'' MEMO: MONDAY: ``Where does this benefit me?'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic with color photo of Haverty on page A1.
What questions do you have about a proposed hockey franchise?
Here's what some residents asked of local officials. While the
region waits to hear whether the National Hockey League selects
Hampton Roads for an expansion franchise, the debate continues in
the public.
TODAY: Harry Haverty of Norfolk asks, ``What are your priorities
for the city?''
Photos
Paul Fraim
Meyera Oberndorf
William Ward