Twenty two years, two Lebron eras and one NBA championship later, Quicken Loans Arena needs an extensive upgrade to better serve customers and bring discretionary dollars into Cleveland's Gateway District, say backers of a renovation plan. The team would pay a big chunk through higher rent, and the public would cover the bulk, using current taxes to pay off construction bonds issued by Cuyahoga County. Some opponents say team owners, not the public, ought to pay and some wonder why the government doesn't get just as creative in finding extra funding for significant community needs.
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