The Collin County Observer™

In for a penny, in for a pound

Monday, April 28, 2008
Plano Star Courier Editorial

A project as grand, broad and potentially spectacular as the Arts of Collin County isn’t going to move forward without some headaches and defections. The commission that heads the project is suffering both defections and headaches right now.

But now is not the time to abandon the plans to build an arts hall that all of Collin County can call its own.

Now is the time for leadership and tough decision-making.

Plano Mayor Pat Evans and Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson, in the face of mounting criticism, displayed the type of regional leadership necessary to get this project completed. They suggested that Plano, Frisco and Allen provide additional dollars necessary to speed along the construction of the arts hall. The money needs could reach as high as $8-plus million. The hope is that once steel starts rising from the ground then private donations will pick up and that guaranteed money from the cities won’t be necessary.

It’s a gamble and it’s a gamble with taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. But unless private benefactors step up this is what’s going to be needed. If the arts hall project is going to be more than a dream then more money has to be raised. In order to prime the private donor pump it appears the cities will have to step up once again. If they don’t there’s a good chance the project will die.

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