400 million other ways 400 million can be used
I appreciate that The Dispatch has been covering the proposed $400 million renovation of Nationwide Arena in various articles, the latest being “Nationwide Arena funding OK’d,” on Dec. 17.
All these articles dutifully report how city and county officials are going to raise ticket costs and use casino tax money to spend on a $400 million project.
The original building cost of the arena in 2000 was $175 million. I know the costs of everything including construction and construction labor have gone up in 25 years, but a $400 million renovation of a $175 million building?
Has the Dispatch, city or county seriously questioned the need for $400 million? Why are there no other options on the table? Is it conceivable that the arena could get a really nice facelift for $100 million or $200 million?
With critical needs in other areas like affordable housing, public safety and all manner of infrastructure, wouldn’t it be nice if we could have an improved arena with $100 or $200 or $300 million left over for other critical needs?
We won’t know unless somebody with some clout actually pushes the folks who came up with the $400 million solution to go back to the drawing board.
Lou Jannazo, Columbus
Stop condemning people
Re “Minnesota problem,” Dec. 18: The letter to the editor suggested most Somali families in Minnesota are receiving “some form of welfare.”
These people are in a new country, learning a new language, a different culture. They are no doubt struggling to find jobs that will support their families, or working jobs that don’t pay enough to cover necessities.
To condemn a group of people while ignoring the obstacles the people are navigating seems more than unfair. Many families the writer likely would call “100% American” also are struggling to survive and also rely on social safety nets.
Why not rejoice that we are still a country that helps people who need assistance instead of sneering at those who accept it?Margo Bartlett, Delaware
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Come on! Nationwide Arena doesn’t deserve $400 million upgrades | Letters
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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