CACI president
says city hiding real cost of new convention center Editor, As usual, the Virginian-Pilot told only a part of the story about the convention center in the editorial on Tuesday, June 24, 2003. Nor has our Virginia Beach City Council yet told us the full cost of the convention center. The
new convention center in Virginia Beach will cost many millions more
than the oft-touted $193 million. Because
the Pavilion will be demolished, council will build a new theater
costing at least $50 million. Then
add about $20 million to beautify 19th Street into a corridor
connecting the new convention center to the oceanfront. How much for the
talked about retail/entertainment center at the old dome site? Another
$50 million? Now add in all
the interest to pay for the bonds to fund all the projects.
Suddenly, the $193 million convention center looks more like at
least a $350 to $400 million convention center. Robert D. O’Connor |