Frisco Vote Could Determine Fate Of Collin County Arts
FRISCO (CBSDFW.COM) - The future of the arts in Collin County could be in question if voters in Frisco vote to pull out of an agreement to fund a new performing arts center.
"It's not that bad of an idea, but it's structured poorly" says Frisco City Councilman Patrick Fallon, who is one of the leaders of a group called Save Frisco. McKinney residents voted in 2002 not to be included in an inter-local agreement with Frisco, Plano and Allen. Each of those three cities agreed to contribute a maximum of $19 million for the creation of an arts district on the Sam Rayburn Tollway near Custer.
Former Mayor Mike Simpson is Executive Director of The Arts in Collin County and he says the land has been donated and the estimated cost of the project is $66 million.
"We have more than enough people who will want to come to a performing arts center" says Simpson, who is also trying to raise private money for the center. Including donated land Simpson says more the $11 million has been donated in cash and pledges, which will be collected on the day officials break ground on the project. Currently the 122-acre site is vacant.
"We're the fastest growing city in America" says Fallon. "The fastest-growing city needs roads and we need infrastructure, and we need more fire stations because fire stations save lives and fire stations keep our families safe" he adds.
Simpson says private funding-raising has been difficult in 2009 and 2010. And he says opponents have called into question whether Frisco will continue to be involved. "Many of the private donors would first say 'is Frisco in or out? I'm not going to give you $5,000 or $20,000 or $100,000 not knowing the status of Frisco" says Simpson, whose organization is working with Frisco Arts Matter to keep the project going.
Both sides are also concerned that voters will be confused when they vote Saturday. Voting "for" Proposition one means Frisco voters favor revoking the bonds for the project. Voting "against" Proposition one is a vote to keep Frisco involved.
The towns of Fairview and Melissa are also involved as "member cities" and would not contribute money for capital expenditures.
