Cabarrus Cheap Seats

This was Coy Privette’s response to the January 11, 2004 Independent Tribune editorial.

We should examine all options for justice complex 

The headline above the editorial on Sunday, January 11 was “New justice complex should stay downtown.” The headline of a more thoughtful editorial might have read “New justice complex locations should be thoroughly analyzed.”

It is entirely appropriate to express an opinion on civic issues - why, it’s the American way. But the value of that opinion is only as good as the analysis behind its formation.

Before going further, however, some clarification is in order.

The same editorial mentioned the City of Concord’s efforts to secure a convention center on Speedway Boulevard (by the way, that’s probably about seven miles from downtown). The writer refers to the “original convention center plan” that was not approved by the Board of Commissioners. It is absolutely true that the plan never gained the Board of Commissioners’ approval, but it was because of the public cost - about $20 million over the term of the debt - not because of its requirement of raising the occupancy tax by 1 percent, as implied by the writer.

To the contrary, the commissioners (who were always supportive of the project) approved an incentive plant to encourage the construction of a convention center that required the same 1 percent occupancy tax increase. That alternative plan would have required only about $3.5 million. That plan, which was rejected by the developer, did lead to an alternative funding plan (approved by both the city and developer) that will cost the public less than half of the $20 million called for by the “original plan”.

This illustrates the value of analysis and public discussion. In this particular case, the value was a savings of over $10 million in public money.

Back to the justice center issue. If the Board of Commissioners is being accused of thoughtful analysis, then it is guilty as charged. The editorial writer describes a bandwagon full of groups endorsing a downtown justice center location before a thorough analysis has been performed, before options have been examined, and before the economic impact of those options, both short- and long-term, have been determined.

The intention of those on the bandwagon are no doubt good. Their interest in local civic affairs is applauded.

The commissioners, however, are doing what they are elected to do. They are taking the long-term best interest of Cabarrus County into account. They are taking the time to have a thorough analysis performed, to examine thoughtful alternatives, and to allow for thorough public discourse. Rememeber, this same course of action taken by the commissioners led to saving over $10 million on the City of Concord’s convention center.

We can’t unquestioningly accept the status quo in Cabarrus County. The fall of Pillowtex proved that. We must be visionary and creative. We must explore alternatives and opportunites.

Maybe it will turn out that the current downtown location is the best place for the new justice center. But what if the downtown jail and courthouse were replaced with a performing arts center and a small urban park? What if students could earn a masters of business adminstration in classes taken at the same downtown location? What if a business incubator were there? Would would be the impact of these uses be on acheiving two of the City of Concord’s goal for downtown - more residential development and the emergence of an arts and entertainment district?

What with the new justice center were constructed in a blighted area - could it stimulate other investment there?

How could anyone justify taking a position before these questions are answered?

Hopefully, we can get a new bandwagon rolling - one that extols thorough analysis, thoughtful public discourse, and sound decision making.