SAN ANGELO – Tom Green County Commissioners Tuesday morning voted unanimously to support a $37 million plan to upgrade and expand the San Angelo Coliseum and negotiate with the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo and the City of San Angelo to fund it.
The City of San Angelo owns the Coliseum. Tom Green County will have to enter a binding, legal agreement with the City and the Rodeo Association to fund the project using county property tax dollars. During a presentation to the Commissioner's Court Tuesday, San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association Past President Mike Boyd said the Association approached the city council about funding the $37 million project but city officials declined to pursue the project.
Coliseum Upgrade Projected Cost Graphic (Courtesy/SASSR)
The massive and much needed upgrade includes 60 luxury suits, six new ticket booths, 3000 more permanent seats, a 13,500 sq.ft. multipurpose room and major restroom expansion from 43 toilets, 5 urinals and 4 troughs to 206 toilets and 102 urinals.
The renovation would increase seating by 4,500 to 9,600 and would attract much larger music and entertainment shows to facility.
Coliseum Project Side View (Courtesy/SASSR)
Coliseum Project Top View (Courtesy/SASSR)
The Rodeo Association has already paid architects almost $1 million for the design of the renovation. The project is estimated to cost $36,988,000.
Rodeo Association officials asked the Commissioners Court to consider a $30 million bond to be placed on the May 2023 election. Tom Green County voters would have to approve the bond before the funding could be provided. Commissioners estimated the $30 million would equate to a 2 cent increase in property tax rate.
The specific funding arrangement will be negotiated between now and the May 2023 bond election.
The remaining $6,988,000 would come through private donations and fundraising by the association.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Comments
I Totally disagree with this proposal. The City refused to Fund the Renovations. Then, the County gets involved. This is gonna be Shoved down the Tax Payers Throat. The Coliseum is Owned by The City of San Angelo. By No means should the Tax Payer pay for this Endeavor. The Tax Payer will not receive Anything in return. The Good Ole Boy Commissioner’s Court caved in. Expecting, too raise Taxes to Accomplish the City’s Goal. The City of San Angelo, will be The Only One who Benefits from this. There is Enough under the Table Ways to Place the Burden on the Tax Payer. Vote NO!!!
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkIt's because the stock show and rodeo brings in so much money and revenue for San Angelo businesses. It will be forced one way or another, trust me.
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkPost a comment to this article here: