El Editor Weighs in on Bond Issue

El Editor ran a pretty scathing editorial against the $300 million bond proposal. It’s brief and worth a read.

There are basically two main reasons to why their editorial board is against the proposal:

1. Most of the bond issue is for “overbuilding” entertainment that already doesn’t do well in Lubbock.
2. The bond issue barely addresses infrastructure needs except for new streets in SW Lubbock.

As far as reason #2 goes, I agree. Central and NE Lubbock need attention more than SW Lubbock needs new streets. Yesterday’s bridge collapse in Minneapolis shows what can happen with “deferred maintenance.”

Reason #1 is a little bit more complex, and I have to admit I’m still thinking through the issue of how best to sustain arts and entertainment in Lubbock. Yes, we have a problem with attendance at some events, but, at the same time, don’t we want to be a city that can sustain large events? Yes, over $200 million for entertainment is a ridiculous amount, but are our current facilities the best that Lubbock can do for the Arts?

We need to maintain and promote the facilities we already have before we proceed with new ones. However: “If you build it, they will come.”