ArenaSolution.org supports regional efforts to bring a world class arena facility, premium concerts, and new professional sports teams to our region. By assembling a large and diverse coalition willing to publicly state their support of these efforts, ArenaSolution.org seeks to demonstrate to political leaders and private participants the public’s overwhelming desire to find an arena solution which is responsible to the taxpayers, spurs economic growth in the region, and brings a strong sense of pride to the community.
No, that’s not the mission-stating of a group committed to keeping the Sacramento Kings from moving out of town. It’s actually the welcoming message on a website for a new movement looking to build an arena in Seattle, and the similarity to the Think BIG Sacramento content is amazing.
Think BIG is a regional initiative launched by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to facilitate construction of a new entertainment and sports complex (“ESC”) that promotes job creation, economic growth, cultural development and civic pride across the greater Sacramento metropolitan area.
Think BIG is comprised of a broad, bipartisan, and diverse group of 72 leaders from across the Sacramento region. The group includes a 15-member Executive Committee, led by Executive Director Chris Lehane, comprised of public and private leaders from the city, county, region, and state responsible for making final recommendations, a Committee of the Whole made up of additional business, labor, political and civic leaders who provide input and counsel, and a small team of experienced professionals to support the committee.
“Regional”? Check. “Economic Growth”? Check. “Pride”? Check. “Diverse group/coalition”? Check.
Both groups are comprised of commissions; an Executive Committee made up of movers-and-shakers who wield influence in their respective regions, and a second-tier committee that’s comprised of various professionals whose inclusion is meant to add weight to validity of the project. In many cases, these second-tier members also stand to benefit either directly or indirectly from the facilitation of a new arena.
And of course, nether group cares for a real, critical debate about the merits of publicly financed sports facilities. Both have already decided that they’re beneficial to to their regions and are little more than hype-machines for their respective causes. Both would rather you never read this document.
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