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And that's why I endorsed Hardie Davis!!! Good looking out!
ATLANTA --- Sen. Hardie Davis asked Wednesday for Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver to promise voters a say in any use of government funding for a baseball stadium, but the mayor wouldn't make that guarantee.
Davis held a news conference in Atlanta in which he urged the mayor to ask the voters before using their money.
"I stand committed to my belief that during these tough economic times that we should not be placing that burden on taxpayers to fund a new stadium," he said. "I therefore urge Mayor Copenhaver and the governor to give some assurances that any proposals to build a baseball stadium either receive voter approval or not be financed at taxpayer expense."
Davis is the sponsor of legislation that would authorize the state to sell at public auction the 16 acres on Reynolds Street originally purchased for the construction of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. The land has remained unused since 2007, when the state stopped funding the hall.
The Senate and House have passed the bill, but because the House changed it, the Senate must agree to the new wording. As the author, Davis is the senator expected to initiate the simple parliamentary procedure for the agreement that will send it to Gov. Sonny Perdue's desk for his signature.
Today is the last day of this year's legislative session.
"While it is clear that I could, in fact, stop this bill from final passage, I truly believe that passage and signature by the governor is in the best interests of Augusta," Davis said.
Asked whether he was making a threat to kill the bill if he didn't hear what he wanted from Copenhaver, Davis said, "What I'm not doing is threatening anyone."
He said he would like to have Copenhaver's assurance, but it wasn't necessary for the bill's passage.
Private developers have expressed interest in buying the land and developing it for a stadium, and Davis has no problem with that. He also said no referendum would be needed for the city to buy the land for what he called "public use," such as city buildings, a park or parking lot.
Copenhaver said in a telephone interview that he wants a company to develop a multi-use sports/entertainment complex on the site.
"I am not at all in favor of the city buying the property or competing with private developers," Copenhaver said.
However, he wouldn't commit to holding a referendum before the city decides to pony up a share of a joint venture with a private company. Such a decision would require approval from the Augusta Commission.
If bonds are used to borrow the money for the city's share of the project, a referendum would be required, Copenhaver said.
But there would be no referendum if funding comes from a tax-allocation district, he said. In such a district, the money comes from new property taxes generated by the increased value that results from development.
With construction beginning in June for the trade, exhibit and event center across the street, Copenhaver predicts land in the area will soon climb in value.
He argued that using the additional taxes generated on the increased value would be no hardship for property owners.
"If we could do the project with no additional expense to taxpayers, that's the route we should go," he said.
Either way, the commission would have to have the final approval, he added.
Comments
And that's why I endorsed Hardie Davis!!! Good looking out!
This definitely needs to be voted on. And I will certainly vote NO! We don't need another stadium. The one we have is fine. My taxes are high enough due to wasteful spending of the commission. They need to be looking for ways to decrease out taxes instead of building thing we don't need.
The Land is rotting away, and has been since the 50's, it SHOULD be developed to bring more income to Augusta.
After all, we have seen what can happen when facilities are managed correctly. They can be a huge source of income (See James brown arena's new management team)
Cities all over the world would KILL to have this prime riverfront property, and we have left it undeveloped (a major failure)
What I don't understand is, why can't Ripken Baseball Loan the city the money? This would be a huge revenue generator, but it shouldn't fall on the wallets of people who wont benefit from it.
You'd think the city would be happy they got the TEE center. Give them an inch, they will take a mile. We will have a whole herd of white elephants down there soon.
Sen. Hardie Davis is no fool. He knows that many incumbents on local and state levels have lost their seats over stadiums, and he's not about to lose his, over it.
Leave the stadium where it is. There are plenty of things that could be done with the land. What we don't need is for the city to move the stadium and end up with the one at Lake Olmstead becoming the unused eyesore. Turn the golf gardens into a park or put some residential units on it like they have in N. Aug.
Hardie Davis has just earned a load of respect from me. Let people vote on this issue.. how about put it on the November ballot? Copenhaver can make it the central theme of his re-election. He can sell it to the public.. but let's let the people decide whether this is a good use of tax money. meanwhile, if a private developer wants to do this on their own dime, then more power to them.
Lake Olmstead will be given to ASU, Paine College, and the local high schools to use. The stadium will not go unused. Im sure the stadium can hold some regional baseball events also.
augustapoz. The plan includes a baseball stadium, office space, residential, retail, and restaurants. It's a baseball stadium within a development.
The mix-use portion....
Private-sector development of areas that could include up to 80,000 SF of office space, a 150-room limited service hotel property, up to 60 condominium properties and parking for up to 500 cars.
The Baseball Stadium
At ground level, retail shell space facing Reynolds Street has a small parking area available off 11th Street, and additional retail areas along 12th Street have street parking available. The Golf Hall of Fame may occupy one of these outlets, or may be part of the private-sector component across 12th Street extension, opening to a plaza that reaches The Botanical Gardens entry. Behind these retail areas would be team support spaces, opening to the field as well as meeting spaces open to the plaza. Proposed at the end of the new 12th Street on the stadium side is a themed restaurant, located at the spectator concourse level above the street, approximately in line with the Riverwalk. This restaurant would be open year round, with access from the 12th Street cul-de-sac below via stair and elevator and from the Riverwalk. On the concourse, a variety of terrace and plaza areas would support year-round events and gatherings and be usable on baseball game days.
Countyman, they are hiring at the car dealership where I work for salesmen. You should apply.
If its a great idea, let someone else roll the dice. The taxpayers should not be business partners. Trust me, Cal and company can fend for themselves. If not, so be it. We have already lost millions on this same piece of property, and we haven't seemed to learn from it.
Senator Davis better not hold his breath waiting on that promise from Deke. It just ain't how thangs are done in ol' Augusta.
Countyman: I agree with TaylorB. You are selling this project to the hilt. I wonder why no one in the general public has this information much less other elected officials. I agree with Davis' request. Let the taxpayers have a voice if public dollars are going to be used.
I am for the private investors purchasing this land downtown and I am also for them building a new baseball and concert stadium along with shops, offices, restaurants and condos. If they can pay for all of it with private funds, great. But, I am not opposed to a public private partnership in this venture and will vote for or encourage partial taxpayer funds through SPLOST, bonds, or tax credits. I will not support a complete or majority publicly funded project.
With the Jacoby Group, Ripken, and others behind this, let's see what they propose. I have a good feeling that it will be great for all of the CSRA and WE will all benefit. It will certainly be better than what was there before (and I'm a golf fan). If the community as a whole will truly benefit through a higher quality of life and increased public and private revenue, I have no problem helping with a minor subsidy.
Build It Downtown!
I have driven by the golf gardens many times, seems like they want to put a lot of things in a small area. Remember what Dolly Parton said "Never try to put 10 pounds of mud in a 5 pound sack" (possibly paraphrased)
Thanks for speaking out Mr. Davis. Govt needs to stay out of building ball parks and other such ventures. Tax money should be used to fund Sheriff, fire and infrastructure. If this was such a sure money maker, Ripken would fund it himself.
Senator Davis is right, it should be decided by the taxpaying citizens. As others have commented, the money would be better spent on law enforcement. When there are no ballgames or events at the stadium, what will draw the people to the shops and restaurants? It will end up like River Walk, people came for a few months, but stores with overpriced goods went out of business and now the draw is a few people and a lot of criminals to rob those few.
Augusta needs to follow the money. Where are the tax-allocation districts in Augusta. Ans: All conveniently located in that corridoor along Broad Street, Reynolds Street. Commissioners need to be vigilant in watching this process. WE all want Augusta to prosper but Augusta can't continue paying somebody elses bill. Paid the State $6million to play at the Golf Hall of Fame land, bought MCG (a State school on State property) $10million worth of Gilbert Manor property for expansion in hopes that the Governor would extend a hand with Golf HOF land... didnt happen....
I will be VOTING NO if this hits the ballot.
This is the best thing I have heard yet, take to the people of Augusta.
I have been in Augusta since 1970 and have seen all the changes in downtown Augusta. When they built the Commons my thoughts were just what we need is another park. My feelings are until they can assure our safty in downtown Augusta, all the parks, stadium's etc. will not help. People are still afraid to be downtown Augusta especially after dark. I have been confronted on the streets of downtown Augusta in the day time, I surly don't want to be there after dark.
I say have a vote. If our money is goin to be used we should get a part in the decision. You're talkin about movin a stadium from next to housing to on top of homeless. And what would happen to the old stadium? Anybody thought about the money it takes to do somethin with that after there is no team there anymore payin for upkeep.
I got an idea for Deke to work on: How about thinking up a way to bring down property taxes? I moved to Rich. Co. 5 years ago & my taxes were $984. They have crept up to $1,420. Did they think I wouldn't notice? I can't afford to continue to pay for these increases.
Deke, he's a nice guy™, is not taking a stand one way or another. He wouldn't commit to holding a referendum. Heh, heh, heh. How does this man decide what to have for dinner?
I live on broad street downtown. Many residents, tourist, etc use the Riverwalk everyday. The Riverwalk attracts thousands of people downtown. Even though there are no restaurants or retail on the river.
Hardie Davis wants a shopping center or mix-use development. The only diffrence between him and mayor Deke is the stadium.
The same people who said the Tee Center was a bad idea. Well look what's happen since. $40 million is being invested into Laney Walker/Bethlehem. A new tax base gentrifying a whole area.
Two new hotels are opening downtown.(Hyatt Place and Holiday Inn Express). And guess what? The Tee Center hasn't even started construction(starts in June). But developers take not when cities are trying to improve themselves.
Imagine the private investment when we build the multi-use entertainment facility.
Stadiums, generally, do not bring in outside retail development around the stadium. That's pie in the sky for those who think it will. Show me a stadium that has resulted in an area being rejuventated. Any city.
This is not a build and they will come. Jim Jacoby the person behind Atlantic Station is already on board.
http://www.atlanticstation.com/
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2010-04-28/backers-advance-stadi...
The development is not only a baseball stadium. It's a ''mix-use entertainment'' venue. A baseball stadium within a mix-use development. Take a look at the plans.
http://www.bringbaseballdowntown.com/executivesummary.asp
The $40 million stadium is only one part of the plan. The plans include a stadium, office space, retail, hotel, and restaurants.
If the plans were only for a stadium. Jim Jacoby the developer behind Atlantic Station wouldn't be involved in the development. Only Ripken Baseball would be involved.
Here are many cities who moved there stadiums downtown. Look at there downtowns growth since they made the decision. Toledo, Greensboro, Durham, Greenville, Akron, Chattanooga, Montgomery, Dayton, Winston-Salem, etc.
I have kind of mixed feelings about the stadium because I love baseball and know it could also be a great place for concerts and so on. Plus, Lake Olmstead could go to ASU where the state would be responsible for its upkeep. But don't even get me started about the TEE which is already hinting at more money because it won't be big enough. That one is a boondoggle.
By the way, the Stevens Creek, Washington Rd hotel complex beats anything downtown.
LOL. Have you been to downtown Toledo lately? I have.
How many concerts and non-baseball events have been held in the current baseball stadium over the past 5 years?
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