Nashville News Blog

Caleb- Your argument is illogical, or at least pre-mature.

"The city's previous mayor, in a rush to get the thing built, severely underestimated how much it would cost to keep the thing running. Thus the shortfall."

"Of course, we've seen the beginnings of this misinformation campaign already."

Phil Ryan may have been mistaken as to the old center, but as of this time you have no information to demonstrate that Metro has underestimated the cost of building the new center or running it thereafter. Indeed, in your previous post you say that the final cost hasn't been provided.

I don't know whether I think a new convention center is worth it or not. However, your and the Scene's oppostion appears to be more "knee jerk naysayer" in nature than having a concrete basis.

P.S. Did some corn pone who lives in Indiana really come on her to talk smack? Hilarious.

Caleb, if you are going to comment on a topic, it would help to know what the hell you are talking about.

First, the Indianapolis Convention Center is just fine and contributes very positively to the Indianapolis economy (which is doing quite well, and much better than most cities in the Midwest/Near South region).

Second, the deficit with the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board results primarily from the operation costs of the new Lucas Stadium and the relatively new Conseco Fieldhouse. And the reason these facilities are costing the city dearly has nothing to do with anyone "underestimating" anything, but rather stems from the city having signed sweetheart leases with the Colts and Pacers allowing them to pretty much keep all the revenue from the facilities while the city bears all the expenses. The idea was that city would get permission from the state to refinance the constructions bonds to get more money to run the facilities (the city KNEW the facilities, especially the new stadium would cost a lot more to operate), but when the state refused, the city punted on this issue with the idea that a "solution
would be found to solve the problem. Now, the time for "solution" has come due. Personally, I think the city should just renegotiate the leases, and tell the Colts and Pacers to put out or get out, but the push by elected officials right now is to raise the hotel and food and beverage taxes instead (we'll see how far that goes, as it obviously has very little popular support).

Finally, I've been to Nashville several times, and my cousins used to live there (they moved). It's a nice town. But, I have found it can suck pretty hard in its own way. So, rather than posting s**t about other cities, why not just focus on how your own town can play up its strengths and compensate for its weaknesses--that would seem more to be a far more productive column to write.

ScottJ-
Better a corn pone than a breeding ground for the likes of Toby Keith and CCM.

I live in Indianapolis, and I accept that this city sucks. Worst public transportation in the country, one of the worst school systems, the top ten worst tasting water (urine would probably taste better), among the highest gas prices, among the highest auto repair costs, one of the highest crime rates in the country, worst road repairs in big cities. We are extremely ignorant, rude, arrogant and smug about it. Face it, Indianapolis sucks!! You know it and I know it! Admitting it is the road to recovery.