Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 5, 1993 TAG: 9309100373
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MICHAEL FUREY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
Everyone knew that there would be traffic congestion and parking problems, more noise, increased pollution from the moving and stationary dinosaurs. (It was warm and air conditioning was a must; dinosaur stomachs would grumble and some would burp in the night, emitting noxious gases.) There would also be increased garbage and waste to go into the landfills paid for by local taxpayers, and a mess for those who chose this place to live and work in. But it was said that the economic benefits to the area would be enormous. Millions of dollars were mentioned.
The town, the local chamber of commerce, and even the citadel of learning, the university, all did what they could not to stop this invasion and disruption, but actually to encourage and promote it. One announcement from the university to its employees said that ``Local retail stores, attractions and restaurants should experience dramatic increases in business, and a substantial boost to the local economy is expected.''
University parking lots were feverishly worked on and improved for the oncoming invasion. Ground was graded, gravel was spread, new lights and curbs were installed, and asphalt was laid, even during the night, in preparation for the visitors. Officials said that all this was planned anyway; the convention simply speeded things up. Costs were not discussed.
But when the first dinosaurs arrived in town, they saw that they could not park in the newly laid asphalt. Some feared that they would sink, only to be discovered by future archeologists and even made into a movie. The university kept calm. No worry, an official said. You can park and rest in faculty-staff-student parking areas (areas where faculty, staff and students actually pay an annual fee for parking). Our faculty, staff and students are nice people, and they won't mind. Besides, the second summer semester is ending anyway.
During the three-day convention (which really took about a week), meetings were held, seminars presented and 400 indoor exhibits were set up for all to see and enjoy. Well, not quite all. Seminars and entertainment were limited to conference participants. But the public - including local townspeople, faculty, staff and students who so willingly gave up their parking spaces all over campus - would have the opportunity to attend any of the exhibits by merely purchasing a daily pass for only $5. Hordes of visitors from all over were expected.
It turned out that the dinosaur occupants were polite and generally well-behaved. There were no reports of rowdiness or drunkenness, although some celebration occurred when the president's energy-tax proposal went down the drain.
Many of the people in town who did not own, manage or work in motels, restaurants, grocery stores or shopping malls wondered whether this whole thing was good. Some called it a fiasco, others an embarrassment. Solar-energy buffs worried that this would send the wrong message to the world.
But one professor of pop culture described the event as a symbol of the American pioneering spirit. Some engineering professors, nearing retirement age, marveled at the technology involved in the costly dinosaurs. One woman said she didn't really care because she was getting out of town for a few days; she hoped that the convention would pump some money into a local book and music store she liked.
It was said that millions of dollars would flow into the area. Some said $2 million or $3 million; others said $10 million or $12 million. (It wasn't clear whether this meant money for the town, county or state.) It was mentioned that the image of the town and university would be enhanced. Real-estate agents were happy that some dinosaurs might want to return to the area in the future; new brochures were planned.
Now the townfolk (who do not own, manage, etc.) are thinking about how they are going to spend the extra money that will come to them as part of the economic benefit to the area. And even though no figures have been calculated to assess the total benefits and dis-benefits to the university and community, some university people are already thinking about other events and conventions that will attract money and visitors to the campus.
The possibilities are unlimited, frightening and even bizarre. But extra proceeds could be used for classroom renovation, operating expenses, faculty and staff raises and, possibly, reduced parking fees. Several think that this might be a better use of the stadium; the football team hasn`t been doing all that well anyway. Who knows what all this reaching out could lead to in the future? Perhaps a new definition of the purpose of a university.
\ Michael Furey is a professor of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech.
by CNB