Wednesday, May 7, 2008

McKinney City Council approves Dr Pepper Starcenter

By Staff of McKinneyNews.net

Rodney Williams/McKinneyNews.net

MCKINNEY — Tuesday night's McKinney City Council meeting was standing-room only as one of the more heavily debated issues of the past months was discussed.

The McKinney Community Development Corporation's Board of Directors voted to approve a $5.5 million bond on April 16 to help fund the proposed Dr Pepper StarCenter in West McKinney. Although MCDC granted the $5.5 million bond, a vote to approve the action was required by Council, as it is anytime MCDC moves to bond more than $100,000.

Council voted unanimously to approve MCDC's bond.

A public hearing was held on the matter, and 22 citizens came to speak before council. The majority of speakers spoke in support of granting funds for the project. Jim Pikl, who is also a local school board candidate, talked to Council about the "missed opportunities" picked up by Frisco, citing such facilities as the Frisco RoughRiders' Dr Pepper Ballpark and Pizza Hut Park, both projects passed up by Council in years past.

Heavy hitters such as Randy Locey, Dallas Stars Executive Vice President, Business Operations, took their turn at the podium. Locey talked about the mutual good the City of McKinney and the StarCenter could provide for each other and the desire to build in McKinney.

McKinneyNews.net

Proposed Dr. Pepper StarCenter of McKinney

"We're prepared to do it, we hope the City of McKinney is prepared to do it," Locey said. "We want to be in this market."

There were dissenters, however. To be fair, those who spoke against the project weren't all necessarily speaking against the StarCenter itself, but against how public money was to be spent on a private project. Of the eight people who did not speak in favor of the bond money going to fund the StarCenter, the majority were concerned with the lack of public recreational facilities - particularly a natatorium - in McKinney.

Randy Otto, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the McKinney Sea Lions swim team, seemed to sum up the feelings of the pro-swimming contingent. Otto said it is a travesty that three high schools, three diving teams and multiple swim clubs all share the same natatorium at McKinney High School.

Councilman Brian Loughmiller cautioned, however, that approval of funding the StarCenter didn't mean talks were stalled regarding future plans for a city natatorium. Craig International President/CEO David Craig, whose Craig Ranch development will be home to the StarCenter, followed some of the public comments with his own regarding the continuing development of public recreational facilities.

"Unfortunately, our quality of life venues are lacking," Craig said, adding that because the city is going forward on the StarCenter doesn't mean it should neglect further parks and recreation facilities.

Steve Ellis, president of McKinney Ice Hockey Club, also put forth his view on the StarCenter vs. public facilities debate.

"Hopefully, the ice rink is the first domino in a series of dominoes to fall," he said.

McKinney resident Celeste Flippen had several questions regarding the StarCenter facility, chief among them queries regarding the amount of time allotted for community skating (rumored to be 140) and whether or not the city was getting a good deal in terms of land price for the 7.3 acres.

Loughmiller addressed these questions following the public hearing. He stated that the community skating hours were not all that were going to be allotted for the community, that these were merely hours negotiated for "priority use" for the city. Loughmiller also stated that the land was purchased at below fair market value.

The StarCenter is planned to feature two sheets of ice and boast an 85,000 square foot facility within Craig Ranch near Stacy Rd. and Hwy. 121. The total cost for the StarCenter is set at $13 million, up from the reported $11 million originally discussed.

The StarCenter will take 12 months to build, and it is hoped that the facility can open its doors by August of 2009.

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