THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 TAG: 9604230462
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
This could be a critical week for a proposed 20,000-seat Hampton Roads sports arena.
Tonight, the Chesapeake City Council is scheduled to decide whether the city will help pay a sports consultant who would determine if the region can support an arena and a major sports franchise. Most of the region's other cities have committed to hire a consultant.
At Friday's monthly Mayors, Chairs meeting, leaders of the region's 15 cities and counties are scheduled to decide how to hire the consultant. That issue, which also is on the Chesapeake agenda tonight, is the only major sticking point among the region's cities.
There are two competing alternatives for hiring the consultant, whose study is estimated to cost $6,000 per month for 12 to 18 months:
Hire through the Sports Authority of Hampton Roads, a public group with members from the region's seven largest cities and Isle of Wight County. Funding would come from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. The Sports Authority is required to conduct an open search, meaning the position must be advertised and formal interviews conducted.
Use a combination of city, Planning District and private funds. The consultant would be hired by a six-person executive committee composed of officials from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News and Hampton. The position would not have to be advertised.
Two months ago, the region's leaders united behind the latter option - a public-private plan - but the consensus has since frayed.
The five mayors from South Hampton Roads emerged from a secret, two-hour meeting Feb. 19 committed to a having the Greater Norfolk Corporation hire the consultant. The Greater Norfolk Corporation is a private business group that seeks to foster economic growth in Norfolk.
But earlier this month, Virginia Beach's position changed. The Virginia Beach City Council is insisting that a public agency hire the consultant.
``If public money is to be used, then we have to have an open process,'' Virginia Beach Beach Councilwoman Louisa M. Strayhorn said recently.
Now Chesapeake is wavering. City Councilman John W. Butt said the outcome of tonight's vote is unpredictable.
``I'm not sure how I'll vote,'' he said. ``It's a very complex issue.''
Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim, who has been the driving force behind the arena proposal, said the public-private approach is preferable because a consultant could be hired quickly and the region's business community would be involved from the start.
``This project is of such magnitude that government should not be driving the issue,'' he said. ``While we have an important role to play, the private sector has got to be at the table and understand the financial implications of the facility.''
Sports Authority chairman Morton V. Whitlow said his organization would be happy to hire the consultant, but that he favors the public-private approach.
``You've got to have business involved or it's not going to work,'' he said. ``We're willing to do anything we're asked, but I think the consensus among most of the region's cities and the business community is that this has got to be a public-private venture.''
Fraim acknowledges his case may have been hurt by a lack of communication.
``It's not widely understood that Greater Norfolk would be working in partnership with Virginia Beach Vision, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and hopefully the Portsmouth Partnership,'' he said.
James M. Pendergast, executive director of Virginia Beach Vision, confirmed his group is committed to helping fund the study. But the group, which promotes economic growth in Virginia Beach, would reconsider if the Virginia Beach City Council does not endorse the study, he said.
Most officials expect a compromise Friday, something Fraim seems open to.
``I want to hear what everybody has to say,'' he said. ``I really think the course we've charted is the correct one. But I want to listen to my friends and see what they have to say.'' MEMO: BUILDING AN ARENA IN HAMPTON ROADS
What Has Happened:
In February the region's leaders agreed to hire a sports consultant
through the Greater Norfolk Corporation.
Virginia Beach backed out in early March, voting in favor of hiring
one through the Sports Authority of Hampton Roads.
Chesapeake's support is wavering.
What's Next:
Tonight the Chesapeake City Council is scheduled to vote on whether
the city will help pay a sports consultant.
On Friday, representatives of the region's 15 cities and counties are
scheduled to decide how to hire a consultant - the major sticking point
among the region's cities.
KEYWORDS: REGIONALISM SPORTS ARENA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS by CNB