Suckers: Has the City of El Paso Run Through Its 2012 Bond Money

Suckers: Has the City of El Paso Run Through Its 2012 Bond Money?
It's Highly Likely The City Has Spent Funds Allocated for Libraries, a Cultural Center, and Museums

Updated 11:08 April 4

With the City of El Paso barely having meetings to discuss the Children’s Museum, you wonder why has it taken almost five (5) years to get off the ground? The arena, or really the "Multi-Purpose Performing Arts and Entertainment and Library Facilities” was not worded an an "arena" on the ballot.

(I should remind readers that a major lawsuit was won because the defendant were not using the Oxford Comma so check out the original wording.)

Anyway, getting back to the issue. We were also promised a Children’s Museum (remember we tore ours down to build a baseball park), and least we forget a Cultural Heritage Center. Digital Wall, yea, that went up fast.

The City was asking for $228,250,000. Let’s say that we go with our estimate that the arena will cost double what the City says it will cost, from $180 million to $360 million. But let's give the City their due, they are not that bad with money. Let’s subtract $100 million. 

That would leave us at $260 million. That basically takes all our bond money allocated for that proposition. That is all the money allocated for the "multipurpose performing arts center" and all museums, libraries, etc.

Remember our Allentown article we posted yesterday. Allentown had already spent most of the money before even the first brick was laid.

No wonder the City is asking for more money in the form of Certificates of Obligation (COO). And remember, COO’s allow the City to borrow money without voter approval. 

The City is saying it needs these funds for libraries, roads, and other things. Hey! Wasn’t that what the 2012 Qualify of Life Bond (QOLB) was for? Libraries!?

Well, guess where your money is going to folks?

Yes, our roads suck, but guess where all your tax money is going to?!

It is no doubt, like Allentown, El Paso has spent the majority of the bond money that was to go for libraries, a children’s museum, cultural center, etc. on the arena. They’ve spent it before the arena has it first brick laid.

Like the other QOLB that included aquatics, I’m sure you are wondering why they have not built my pool in my neighborhood? What about those improvements? Well, the City has priorities. It’s called the Westside and Downtown.

      Least we forget the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website lists El Paso Tax-Supported Debt at $1,046, 440,000. (1 billion, 46 million, 440 thousand dollars)? 

2.  The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website lists El Paso Revenue-Supported Debt at $547,055,00. (Five Hundred Forty-seven million, 55 thousand dollars)? 

      Isn't our city tight with our money?

Do you feel you were played? 

Yes, you should feel that way.

 
In the words of the late former El Paso Mayor Ray Salazar, "Joyce, weren't you suppose to save us money?"  

El Paso to Model Most Expensive Minor League Arena in the Country

El Paso to Model Most Expensive Minor League Arena in the Country

Experts say the Allentown, Pennsylvania PPL Center costs spiraled out of control, tax scandal, corruption and FBI involvement

This is part 1 in a series looking at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The City of El Paso has used a $180 million dollar estimate for the Downtown arena that they wish to place on top of the Duranguito neighborhood after its demolition.

In their public outreach they have used the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania as an example of success.

However, a closer look is needed.

City of El Paso Estimates for Costs Are Often Wrong

First, whenever the City of El Paso puts out an estimate, you have to use the Arrieta-Candelaria-Wilson Algorithm of Estimated Costs. 

We don’t know the exact formula for this algorithm (they probably don't know it either), but we are sure the fuzzy math lady who so brilliantly, along with Joyce Wilson, in estimating the costs of Southwest University Park, knows the exact formula.

However, it’s safe to say that doubling the cost of the Downtown Arena is close to what the Arreita-Caldelaria-Wilson algorithm is.

So, we’d say about $360 million.

City Using Allentown's PPL Center as a "An Example of a Successful Downtown Location."

Above, City of El Paso used Allentown PPL Center as Successful Example, not knowing the problems, FBI investigation, spiraling out-of-control costs.

 However, we look into the PPL Center and it was not what it seems.

Lesson in Disaster and Out-of-Control Spending: PPL Center, Allentown, Penn

In the planning, for the PPL center, Allentown estimated that it would need 3,500 parking spaces for their 10,000-size arena. After it was built, they found out the actual number was 4,200.[i]

Skeptics of the Allentown PPL Center had said downtown was the wrong area for the PPL Center.

The PPL center ended up being an 8,500 – seat facility as reported by The Mourning Call [ii]. 

Other differences were that the PPL Center was part of a riverfront development. I’d assume the riverfront is much more appealing than our riverfront here in El Paso.[iii]

Scott Kraus and Matt Assad say the PPL Center cost $177 million, but The Morning Call would correct this later. However, they say that the pitch was originally for a hockey arena, which was supposed to cost $80 million, but it “morphed” into the PPL Center at a cost of $177.

In 2011, the PPL Center was sued by a group of suburban communities “unhappy that their resident’s local earned income taxes would have been siphoned off to help finance construction.”[iv]

To be continued…

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[i] McEvoy, Colin. “Allentown prepares for parking, traffic for hockey arena opening.” The Express-Times, September 5, 2014, updated January 2, 2015.

[ii] Kraus, Scott and Assad, Matt. “Arena opens, symbol of hope for better Allentown.” The Morning Call, September 10, 2014.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Ibid.