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Thursday, June 7, 2001
Voters say 'no' to multi-project package
Associated Press
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Voters in North Carolina's largest city rejected Tuesday a $342 million package of sports and cultural projects which would have brought a new downtown arena for the Charlotte Hornets.
Seven projects were included in the nonbinding referendum package, but the one grabbing all the attention was the $205 million sports arena promoted by supporters as the only way to keep the NBA team.
Supporters argued the Hornets, who claim they are losing $1 million a month, would move to another city if the new arena isn't built.
With 149 of 157 precincts reporting Tuesday evening, 54,751 voters went against the referendum while 40,260 voted in favor. Early polls indicted that just 29 percent of Charlotte voters turned out.
Besides the NBA arena, the package would have provided funds for a new downtown minor league baseball stadium, the Mint Museum, the Afro-American Cultural Center, the Discovery Place science museum, Carolina Theater and Theatre Charlotte.
Voters were asked whether they wanted to commit hotel and car rental car taxes and other fees to help finance the cost of building the arena.
During the campaign, supporters insisted the Hornets needed a more modern facility with lucrative luxury boxes. Opponents -- outspent in the public relations campaign by a wide margin -- argued the plan was a taxpayer subsidy of wealthy private businessmen.
Hornets owners George Shinn and Ray Wooldridge remained largely
silent on the referendum, though Wooldridge had been involved in negotiations on an agreement between the club and the city if the arena package was approved.
City Councilman Rod Autry said he believes the downtown arena is not a dead issue.
"The Hornets have got a business decision to make and so does NBA," Autry said. "I think NBA will have to be patient and give us one more shot, but we're going to have to remain active."
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