09-16-2006, 09:15 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Celtics Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 16,806
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Orlando Magic pursuing a new arena
Magic play stall game on money for arena
Orlando Magic officials remained silent Tuesday about how much they would pay toward building an arena and also staked out neutral ground in a debate that's heating up over moving the new center to International Drive.
The Magic presented their proposal for a new $385 million arena to Orange County commissioners, who must help divide up tourist-tax money and other resources for three projects: the arena, a new downtown performing-arts center and an upgraded Florida Citrus Bowl.
The price tag for all three public venues could reach $1.1 billion, and pressure is building for the Magic to pony up on the arena -- the costliest of the three projects. But Magic officials say they aren't ready to reveal their contribution until the center's location is decided and they finish negotiations with county as well as city leaders, who also are set to pitch in tax money and land for the projects.
One way to make the arena cheaper would be to move it from city land in downtown Orlando to land within the county near the Orange County Convention Center. The idea is to surround the arena with restaurants and shops that would pay a special tax to help fund its construction and operations.
But the potential move is pitting city and county leaders against each other in a fight that could threaten the chances of all three projects getting built. Orlando officials say moving any venue out of downtown short-circuits revitalization efforts.
"I hope, in a best-case scenario, this is just a negotiation play," said Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan after watching the Magic's presentation. "This divide-and-conquer thing is not good for our residents. It only breeds cynicism."
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