LAKEWOOD, Ohio – The Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus is joining opposition to spending tax money on Quicken Loans Arena renovations while community needs remain unmet.
In December, the Cleveland Cavaliers, county and city leaders announced a plan to upgrade the 22-year-old arena. If approved, the plan will cost a total of $282 million over 17 years, with loan interest and creation of a rainy day fund, and taxes will pay for $160 million.
Caucus members held a press conference Friday to say they opposed the use of any tax dollars to renovate the Q. That differs from the view of Greater Cleveland Congregations, which has called for the city and county governments to commit as many tax dollars to neighborhood development as are proposed for the arena renovations.
Members of both groups, who strongly support the Cleveland Cavaliers, say they are “Not All In” and plan to attend council meetings to voice their concerns.
The Progressive Caucus formed last year in support of presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Following the election the group has continued progressive efforts and is resisting actions by President Donald Trump, said Steve Holecko, the political director.
The group has about 2,100 members, he said.
As the plan stands, the Cavs will pay half the cost of upgrades through increased rent payments. Cleveland will provide more than $88 million, using its admissions tax on tickets to Q events from the years 2024 through 2034. More than $44 million will come from the budget of Destination Cleveland, which will give up a piece of the county bed tax it receives. The county will provide $16 million by dipping into the reserve fund it set up for the convention center and Hilton Cleveland Downtown, both of which are complete.
Cuyahoga County’s legislation to provide funds for the Q is expected to be introduced at Tuesday at County Council. Council members generally do not comment on introduced legislation, which will be referred to the council-of-the-whole meeting on Feb. 21.
But the public can comment on proposed legislation at any meeting. Members of the GCC and caucus said they plan to attend Tuesday.
Holecko and caucus operations director Tristan Rader said the Q project is “an opportunity for the people of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to end their silence and start to be citizens instead of spectators to the decisions impacting their communities.
“This is an opportunity to break with a past where such projects are routinely rubber stamped,. We deem this renovation to be a breach of public trust and a gross misuse of public funds. We will not stand by while those elected to lead us redefine progress as working people subsidizing billionaires.”
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