Come November 2, Cameron County voters will have a chance to vote for a multi-purpose arena and convention center that is projected to generate an annual impact of almost $4 million to communities and workers in the local economy.
And the beauty of it is that it will not increase property taxes or cost anything to local taxpayers and will be paid through revenues generated by visitors to the events at the arena. County officials say it is a golden opportunity that will create jobs, increase county-tax revenue, and bring visitors to the area.
The proposition that will be on the November 2 ballot states that funding for the project will be financed through bonds issued by Cameron County to be paid by funds from the hotel-motel occupancy tax and rental car fees.
The South Texas Eco-Tourism Center at Laguna Vista was funded through a venue tax (Visitors tax) as was Cameron County's Amphitheater and Events Center at South Padre Island.
A feasibility study was completed that analyzed all the new project's relevant factors and its impact on all of Cameron County and all the communities within a 50-mile radius of the project.
It is to be located near the intersection of Expressway 77-83 and Texas Highway 100.
Other communities across the state, notably San Antonio, has used this funding method to construct major arenas, including the AT&T Center, home of the San Antonio Spurs. Although not as large, the Cameron County area/convention center will have a capacity of between 8,000 to 10,000.
AT&T seats 18,418 for basketball, 6,151 for ice hockey, and 19,000 for concerts or gatherings, and contains 2,018 club seats, 50 luxury suites and 32 bathrooms.
It was opened in 2002 as the SBC Center, at a cost of $175 million, also financed by county-issued bonds, which were supported by a hotel-occupancy and car-rental tax increase and an additional contribution of $28.5 million from the Spurs.
SBC Communications, Inc., purchased the naming rights to the facility under a 20-year, $41 million naming rights agreement with Bexar County, the San Antonio Spurs, and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in July 2000. SBC Communications changed its name to AT&T Inc. November 2005. The arena officially changed its name to AT&T Center in January 2006.
Bexar County voters approved the plan in November 1999.
In addition to many local community and sporting events, the center hosts San Antonio Sports Car Association autocross competitions in the parking lot each month.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association holds the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and an Xtreme Bulls tour event annually there. The Rodeo is held in February, necessitating the Spurs and Rampage to make long road trips during this time (commonly referred to as the "Rodeo Road Trip").
The Professional Bull Riders hosted a Built Ford Tough Series event there in 2009 (an event previously held at the Alamodome in 2007 and 2008). Since May 2013, the venue has also hosted the annual Bud Light River City Rockfest.
In addition to many local community and sporting events, the center hosts San Antonio Sports Car Association autocross competitions in the parking lot each month.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association holds the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and an Xtreme Bulls tour event annually there. The Rodeo is held in February, necessitating the Spurs and Rampage to make long road trips during this time (commonly referred to as the "Rodeo Road Trip").
The Professional Bull Riders hosted a Built Ford Tough Series event there in 2009 (an event previously held at the Alamodome in 2007 and 2008). Since May 2013, the venue has also hosted the annual Bud Light River City Rockfest.
Similar events are planned for the Cameron County Multi-Purpose Arena and Convention Center, according to county officials.
12 comments:
TOMATO-FACE Boswell, the Harlingen Mayor, built a Convention Center that nobody uses...a white elephant for sure. This Arena will be another Boswell folly.
Hidalgo has Payne and State farm
Always playing catch up
Smh
Juan, Da Blimp is waiting with baited breath the covid deaths…. He is counting down like if it were New Years!! Como dice Joey López… Que te pasa Blimp? Nothing good to write about on his dead blog… pure doom and gloom stories… and his million health issues, or a play by play of his walks with his mutt. Que vida tan chida… que no?
It will never happen the money hungry politicians here will not allow it if they don't get their share....
they were going to built an arena and one stupid county commissioner stopped it the one with cheat sheets...
he's no longer there, they now prefer viewing castles to watch exploding rockets gracias pinche bruja
Why is the county housing department closed no communications is allowed why?
These little town Mayors and nobody County Judges think they are in the BIG CITY; don’t forget where you are...the Land of Welfare, where the majority of the population is uneducated and sucking on the government titty.
September 29, 2021 at 9:09 AM
sounds like hillbilly land where stupidity is KING...
Good fucking riddance DAN SERNA, City Manager of Harlingen; your arrogance and haughty attitude caught up with your fat ass. Say goodbye to that two-hundred and fifty grand a year. Why the hell are these kind of salaries paid in these little Valley barrio towns?!
September 29, 2021 at 9:09 AM
Sounds like you are talking about the appalachian mountains moron.
Browntown ain't San Antonio....
more like matamoscas full of corrupt politicos
Post a Comment