
DATE: Monday, April 28, 1997                TAG: 9704280041

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   91 lines

ARENA, RACETRACK, HIGH-TECH CENTER? CONSULTANT COULD BRING IN PROJECTS

The Hampton Roads Partnership is expected to hire Miami-based consultant Rick Horrow today. His assignment: to see if area residents will agree with his proposal to build an unprecedented series of regionally funded projects.

Horrow has proposed that Hampton Roads cities build facilities he said will attract new business and tourist dollars and improve the region's quality of life. He pioneered a similar project in Oklahoma City in 1993.

Though it will be months before any facilities formally are proposed, Hampton Mayor James Eason said potential projects include a 20,000-seat sports arena in downtown Norfolk, a $100 million convention center in Virginia Beach, a high-tech center on the Peninsula and a NASCAR speedway in Isle of Wight.

Horrow said he will help the region come to a consensus on what projects to build through meetings with city councils, political and business leaders and neighborhood associations.

If that consensus is achieved, Horrow still could face an uphill battle. Funding would have to be approved by the region's city councils, the General Assembly and the governor. Moreover, a referendum would have to pass ineach city.

The cost of the projects likely would be more than $500 million. A temporary sales tax increase is the most likely funding option. Partnership officials said once the proposals were paid for, the tax would expire.

Horrow will make a half-hour presentation this morning during a partnership meeting at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Hampton. The partnership's 53 members will discuss Horrow's proposal, then vote on whether to hire him. The partnership is a group of regional business, political, educational and civic leaders.

Eason and others said Horrow almost certainly will be hired. He has met with many regional business and political leaders and comes with the endorsement of most of the region's officials and the partnership's 15-member executive committee.

Horrow would work under a tentative contract negotiated with partnership President Barry DuVal.

Horrow also has been approached by four communities in central Virginia - Richmond and Henrico and Chesterfield and Hanover counties - about spearheading similar projects there. DuVal said Horrow's contract with Hampton Roads calls for him to work only here, but that the exclusivity clause could be amended.

Horrow was unavailable for comment last week, but said during a recent visit that the list of projects would be determined ``by the people of Hampton Roads, not by me. It will be my job to listen, not dictate.''

Horrow, 41, is a Miami native and a Harvard Law School graduate with a high profile in sports and municipal facility development. He led efforts to build the Miami Arena and to bring an NBA team and a major league baseball team to Miami.

In 1989 he founded Horrow Sports Ventures of Miami, which has been retained by numerous cities, sports leagues and teams for tasks ranging from expansion consultation to marketing to stadium development.

As the National Football League's stadium consultant he successfully pushed new stadium initiatives in Cincinnati and Detroit. The U.S. State Department has hired him to help with sports and community developments in Latin America.

One of his greatest successes was in Oklahoma City. Within a year of hiring Horrow, a $285 million tax increase was approved by voters to build eight projects, including an arena, convention center and performing arts center.

Oklahoma City's 20,000-seat arena, which is expected to be under construction soon, was a key reason the city vaulted past Hampton Roads in the race for a National Hockey League expansion team. Hampton Roads was eliminated from the race in February, while Oklahoma City is among six finalists.

DuVal said it will take a minimum of six months for Horrow to build a consensus for his proposal. That process is expected to begin with a May 14 meeting with the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations.

Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim said only projects that lead to economic growth and benefit the entire region will be selected. Eason said a Virginia Beach convention center is one that would qualify.

``That's the attraction of Mr. Horrow's proposal. There's the potential for everyone in Hampton Roads to benefit.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

Rick Horrow, who likely will be hired today, said the people will

choose the projects: ``It will be my job to listen, not dictate.''

THE PROPOSAL: Miami-based consultant Rick Horrow, right, has

proposed that Hampton Roads cities build facilities to attract new

business and improve the region's quality of life. He says he will

help the region come to a consensus on what projects to build.

THE POTENTIAL PROJECTS: Hampton Mayor James Eason says these

projects may include a 20,000-seat sports arena in downtown Norfolk,

a $100 million convention center in Virginia Beach, a high-tech

center on the Peninsula and a NASCAR speedway in Isle of Wight.

THE COSTS: Funding would have to be approved by the region's city