Despite concerns about operational and building costs expressed last week by members of the City Council and Park, Recreation and Forestry Board, members of the council agreed Monday to go ahead with the first phase of the arena project.

Tuesday, May 08, 2001

Despite concerns about operational and building costs expressed last week by members of the City Council and Park, Recreation and Forestry Board, members of the council agreed Monday to go ahead with the first phase of the arena project.

According to Jon Erichson, city engineer and public works director, the first phase will include a feasibility report, an individual user need study, site analysis of possible locations on the east side of Riverland Community College and a site along Seventh Street NE, a conceptual design of the proposed building and an expense-revenue estimation.

The second phase of the project will include the design and bidding at the site chosen by the council. The city has $3.93 million to spend on the project, including about $700,000 to be used on the restoration of Riverside Arena.

Mayor Bonnie Rietz asked each member of the council whether he or she was in favor of going ahead with the project. First Ward Councilman Wayne Goodnature and Second Ward Councilman Pete Christopherson were opposed to going ahead with the first phase.

"I feel deep in my heart we can’t afford this," Goodnature said.

He added the ongoing cost of the arena and the prospect of creating something that would be a burden on the city for years to come as additional reasons he is against the project, though not in principle, he said.

"I’m not saying this lightly at all," he added.

Goodnature noted the rising cost of fuel for homes and cars and the "rather frightening downward trend in business from the public in general" as reasons to hold off on the project.

Christopherson echoed Goodnature’s feelings: "I got a bad feeling on this."

With upcoming contract negotiations and the ongoing personnel investigations within the Fire Department, Christopherson said he is not even aware of where the council and the city is going.

Rietz said as members of the council, they are always juggling many items.

"Anytime you’re busy it means you’re progressing," Third Ward Councilman Dick Lang said. "This is a busy city."

First Ward Councilwoman Mickey Jorgenson, Second Ward Councilwoman Jeanne Poppe, Lang, Third Ward Councilwoman Gloria Nordin and Councilman-at-Large Dick Chaffee gave the go-ahead for the first phase.

"I have a very positive attitude," Lang said. Lang said use of the Seventh Street NE site would improve a "blight area" and the new arena would be of benefit to children who need additional ice time during reasonable daytime hours.

"Everything we do as a council isn’t going to pay for itself," Jorgenson said. "I think our questions will be answered in phase one of the project. I say we go ahead with it. It’s a wonderful project."

Chaffee said the council must go ahead to phase one to answer the questions raised by the council and Park, Recreation and Forestry Board.

"We will need to cover the operational costs by tweaking other projects," he said. "It will affect other projects. If we’re willing to take those steps, we can probably accomplish this."

Poppe agreed with Chaffee: "I think we have to go to phase one in order to make a sound decision. I think it would be foolish not to go to that part of the project."

Erichson said if phase one is approved, the goal will be to have the second sheet of ice operational by the 2002 season, 15 months from now.

On Thursday, members of the council’s park, recreation and forestry committee will interview two firms to determine which will be given the green light for the first phase. Only when and if the first phase is approved will the second phase proceed.

In the meantime, Rietz said a question to gauge the public’s response to the arena will be placed on e-Forum, on the city’s Web site at http://www.austin-mn.com.

Call Kevira Mertha at 434-2233 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.