Nighttime panorama of the Oregon Convention center
And once again, it rises from the dead: Metro, the out-of-control "regional government" received voter approval to build the Oregon Convention Center; the voters having been assured by the various "planners" and "visioners" infesting the former Sears store (now reinvented as Metro HQ) that it'd bring in bundles of cash, "spur" jobs and development, and yadda yadda. Of course, none of that happened. As is the case with virtually everything government types touch, it all turned to crap.
The thing was built, the brain-trust at Metro ran it, and it lost millions. Not to worry; they came back with another plan: "See, here's the problem - it needs to be doubled in size," they said. Then conventions would pour in and the afore-promised jobs and money would drop from the skies like western Oregon rain, and development would be "spurred". They love that term, "spur". But the voters said "Thanks, but no thanks; you blew it."
So the brain-trust at Metro built the expansion anyway. It now loses over ten million dollars a year. Not to worry; they came back with another plan: "See, here's the problem - we need to build a really big Convention Center hotel there." Then conventions would pour in and the afore-promised jobs and money would drop from the skies like western Oregon rain, and development would be "spurred".
We didn't buy it, and the idea languished. Then, promising that no public money would be involved, they searched for ways to resurrect it from the grave. And by golly, they think they have a winner:
Metro officials disclosed this week that they asked lawmakers to provide financial support to construct a 600-room hotel that supporters say is badly needed to bring in more convention and meeting business.
They just want $12 million from the state. You know, to jump-start a "public-private partnership". The success of their convention center is, of course, of paramount importance to folks in Pendleton, Medford, and elsewhere around the state.
The latest effort would result in a privately owned, privately operated hotel. Early pledges that it would not require public financing are quickly evaporating.
Really? Oh, say it isn't so! Leadership: never having to admit one's mistakes.
