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Quicken Loans Arena Renovations; Taxpayer Funded Sports Venues; Statehouse Update

Image: Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock.com
Image: Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock.com

Quicken Loans Arena is 22 years old and some say out of date in terms of needs for modern sports and entertainment audiences.  A plan is on the table to give the arena a $140 million dollar renovation.  It's a plan that calls for both the Cavs and the public to pick up a chunk of the costs but no new taxes.  There is opposition including local faith leaders who want to see an equal investment in the community and its needs.    Then, many cities are either building new or renovating existing arenas and stadiums for their professional sports teams--are the projects worth the investment?

Dave Wondolowski, Executive Secretary, Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council 
Rev. Jawanza Karriem Colvin, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Greater Cleveland Congregations 
Brad Sellers, Mayor,  Warrensville Heights  
Dr. Mark Rosentraub, Bickner Endowed Professor of Sport Management, Professor of Urban Planning, University of Michigan 
Dr. Victor Matheson, Professor of Economics, College of the Holy Cross  
Karen Kasler, Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Chief