Monday, April 14, 2008

Arts of Collin County still waiting on McKinney approval

By Staff of McKinneyNews.net

Rendering of Arts of Collin County Hall.

With an estimated partial-opening set for spring of 2010, Arts of Collin County is a project in full swing.

Arts of Collin County (ACC) is a public-private collaboration co-owned by the Cities of Allen, Frisco and Plano that is developing a 124-acre arts park on S.H. 121 just east of Custer Rd. The stated purpose of the project is "To create an environment where all citizens can share and enjoy in the full diversity and vitality of the arts." To this end, ACC has partnered with Allen, Frisco and Plano - whose contributions have put them into the owner cities category - and, to a smaller extent, Melissa and Fairview, designated member cities for economic contributions to ensure the project's success.

There is, however, one big fish still waiting to be hooked. The City of McKinney remains the lone holdout among the major players in Collin County. Those aforementioned owner cities have each passed voter-approved bonds to fund the capital costs of the project, which include consultant costs for each phase of creating the plans and design for the performance hall and related site improvements.

All five cities will contribute to the operational costs per year, paid on a quarterly basis. The annual cost for each city is determined by its population; Plano, with an estimated population of 255,700 leads the way, toting 58.7 percent of the annual cost.

If McKinney were to become part of the project it would change those percentages while contributing 20.45 percent of the overall annual costs based on an estimated 2010 population of 115,000 as provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. That number wouldn't change immediately despite the obviously low population figure (actual census figure: 120,978). The exact dollar amount would depend on varying costs and adjusted operation and maintenance figures per fiscal year. If McKinney were an owner city this year, it would contribute more than $84,000 in pre-construction operation expenditures.

The issue of supporting ACC came before McKinney voters in November of 2002 and was voted down by the narrowest of margins. So, why all this talk regarding McKinney and ACC? The issue may not be dead just yet. Ray Ricchi, who is running unopposed for the District 4 City Council seat, is one of many who supports a move to put the issue back on the ballot for a bond election.

"I'm blessed to have the ability to take my children to New York, or even Dallas, to see and experience cultural events. These are things that not everyone can afford," Ricchi said. "Seeing my kids at The Lion King on Broadway, they were absolutely glued to their seats. Every kid should experience that thrill, and Arts of Collin County will bring it to their back yard."

According to James Baudoin, Executive Director of ACC, getting McKinney on board is a top objective.

"McKinney is the only [remaining] city of size eligible to be an owner city," he said. "We would like this to go back to the citizens for a vote."

Baudoin is hopeful that times have changed enough to allow McKinney voters to approve the project. He could get his wish. In 2002 when the issue was shot down by voters, the city's population was 66,990. He hopes that six years and nearly 54,000 new residents could mean a different outcome.

Arts of Collin County park rendering.

Baudoin hopes, too, that a new-look city council could help. Ricchi is on record as a supporter of the project, and Baudoin mentions Sherry Tucker David, who is running for the at-large seat, and Mayor Bill Whitfield in that same breath. Ricchi also mentioned Bill Cox as someone behind the project.

However, the question of "why" remains. Why should a $19 million bond proposal go back on a ballot if it's already been shot down?

Ricchi had an answer ready.

"Collin County Community College was voted on twice after being shot down, why not this? There are twice as many people as before [in 2002], it's a more diverse group and there is a large retirement community here, people moving back to McKinney who would like to take their grandchildren to see a Broadway show," he said.

It may not be that simple for voters who would need to approve a $19 million bond which doesn't provide a direct economic impact to the community. The City of Allen as host city will receive the direct tax benefit. Economic benefit to McKinney could come at a point in time when planned hotels begin to sprout up along Hwy. 121.

Ricchi offers a broader picture.

"The [bond] wouldn't affect the City's credit rating, nor would it increase the tax rate," he said. "But we're the county seat, we should be the leader."

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