Last year the Chamber Board passed a resolution supporting the construction of a performing and visual arts center that would be shared by Allen, McKinney, Frisco and Plano.  Plano already had funds available and elections were held in the other three cities to approve issuance of bonds to support the project.  The bond issues passed in Allen and Frisco but it was narrowly defeated in the McKinney election. 
 
After the defeat in McKinney, the Arts of Collin County steering committee (which was appointed by the four mayors) continued to view the project as a four-city project and that McKinney just hadn’t figured out how to pay their part yet.  A few weeks ago, the McKinney City Council voted to withdraw from the project and not to provide any more funding.  With McKinney out of the picture, the steering committee decided to scale back the plans somewhat and to proceed with the project as a three-city joint venture.  The steering committee has also made it clear that the door will be left open if other cities (including McKinney) want to join in the project
sometime in the future.
 
Now the issue has been raised as to whether or not the remaining cities should revote the bond election.  Did voters approve a “multi-city” project or did they approve a “four-city” project that could only proceed if all four cities participated?  Although the ballot didn’t specifically address this issue, how was the information presented to the voters prior to the election?  What were the voter’s intentions if all four cities did not participate?   These are all questions that have now been raised and need to be answered.
 
The Chamber Board feels that the revised project should proceed with the three remaining cities.  We believe that such a facility will enhance the business environment in Allen and Collin County, making the area more attractive to large employers as well as families considering relocating to this area.  We believe that because of the care and consideration that has gone into the planning that the facility will be economically feasible and will not place an undue tax burden on the citizens of the participating communities.  We also think that voters authorized the project to proceed and that the delays attendant to any effort to reconsider the vote could severely slow the progress and possibly damage the success of the project. 
 
With all this in mind, the Chamber Board has recently passed a second resolution urging Allen, Frisco and Plano to proceed with the revised project without further delay or reconsideration of the previously passed bond elections.  A copy of the resolution is below. 

 

RESOLUTION #03-03
  IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS OF COLLIN COUNTY 
 
WHEREAS, the Allen Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the need for sufficient funding for the support of the arts in our county and community; and,
 
WHEREAS, we previously adopted a resolution endorsing passage of the successful November 5, 2002 Allen Bond Election Ballot, for the issuance of bonds for funding and constructing a joint performing and visual arts center and campus, known as Arts of Collin County; and,
 
WHEREAS, the city of McKinney has withdrawn its support for the project, following approval by the citizens of Allen, Frisco and Plano; and   
 
WHEREAS, we have reviewed the revised report of the steering committee appointed by the Mayors of Allen, Frisco and Plano to modify the plans for funding and construction of a joint performing and visual arts center and campus, to reflect McKinney’s withdrawal of support; and
 
WHEREAS, we believe the report is the result of careful study and consideration which has identified both the continuing urgent need for such a facility in our area as well as viable funding mechanisms which will not create an undue tax burden upon the citizens of Allen or the partner cities, even with the withdrawal by McKinney; and
 
WHEREAS, we believe that the existence of such a facility and campus will enhance the business environment in Allen and Collin County, making the area more attractive to large employers as well as to persons seeking a residence in a community within commuting distance of their employment throughout the Metroplex; and,
 
WHEREAS, we believe that the delays attendant to any effort to set aside or reconsider the favorable votes of the citizens of Allen, Frisco and Plano could severely slow the progress and damage the success of the project;  
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Allen Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors that:
 
SECTION I.      The continued participation by the City of Allen in the Arts of Collin County project is endorsed.
 

SECTION II.     The cities of Allen, Frisco and Plano are encouraged to proceed with the project, subject to proposed revisions to scale, without further delay or reconsideration of previously passed bond elections.  
 
SECTION III.    These recommendations shall be communicated to all members of the Allen Chamber of Commerce, the community, the media, the Texas Legislative Delegation and other appointed and elected officials for consideration and in encouragement to make the vision of our communities a reality.
 
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 4th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2003 BY THE ALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
 
 
Bob Rothe
Chairman of the Board

Sharon Mayer
President