Olympic fever may be the driving force behind the push for a proposed $1.1 billion expansion of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, said a Republican lawmaker on the committee that will consider the controversial proposal today.
"I don't think it's unreasonable to say people are thinking of this expansion with the Olympics in mind," said state Rep. Todd Smola (R-Palmer), a member of the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. "I don't know if we'd be talking about it now with this price tag if the Olympics weren't potentially on the horizon. That's a big what if."
A commission created by Gov. Deval Patrick determined in February that Boston could handle hosting the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Smola said he's also concerned about two sections of the convention center bill — first reported this week by the Herald — that would keep secret the financial information of businesses the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority contracts with, and allow all hotel tax money from communities across the entire state to be pledged to secure the $1.1 billion in bonds.
"I'm not sure that serves the public well," Smola said. "We pride ourselves on the idea that transparent government is the most effective government. That's the kinds of things I'll be asking about (today)."
The House bonding committee will hold a public hearing this morning at the State House, featuring testimony from MCCA Executive Director Jim Rooney and other state officials. The public will also have a chance to speak.
Committee Chairman Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford) said he also has concerns about using the statewide hotel tax fund as collateral.
"The proposed way of paying and raising revenues is slightly different — in some cases very different — from the original proposal back in 1997," he said. "We certainly will look at that area very closely."
He didn't expect the committee to vote on the proposal today.
The MCCA is pushing for a 1.3 million-square-foot expansion of the convention center, arguing the city is losing business to cities with larger facilities.
MCCA spokesman Mac Daniel declined to comment on the idea that the hefty build-out is Olympic-inspired.
"We will wait for the hearing to engage with members of the committee and look forward to our opportunity to present our proposal and answer questions," Daniel said.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
State rep: 2024 Olympic bid behind BCEC expansion try
Dengan url
http://sedangapasaja.blogspot.com/2014/04/state-rep-2024-olympic-bid-behind-bcec.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
State rep: 2024 Olympic bid behind BCEC expansion try
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
State rep: 2024 Olympic bid behind BCEC expansion try
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar