Charlotte made a lackluster deal for Panthers stadium upgrades | Opinion
Charlotte faces a dilemma like many NFL cities. An aging stadium and an owner who wants public subsidies. In a perfect world, the owner would pay, fueled by record revenues and valuations. In reality, NFL owners have too much leverage to deny some percentage of public support. The question is how much do we give, and what do we get in return?
Charlotte decided it will pay for around half of a stadium facelift that will ultimately add minimal value. The city is paying $650 million for essentially a new entertainment system, seats and signage. In exchange, we’re getting a 20 year extension of the stadium lease. As a value proposition, this transaction is lacking, especially in light of another option.
The new Las Vegas Raiders stadium cost $1.9B to build and has everything Charlotte renovations will provide. In addition, it’s roofed, allowing for year round events. The economic benefit of a roofed stadium with a 70,000 capacity is not to be scoffed at, especially since the current stadium largely sits unused during the winter with exception of Panthers games. Rather than going halfsies on a facelift, Charlotte should up their bid to go halfsies on a full replacement.
Mark Alexander, Charlotte
Mayor
I am disappointed there is no opposition for mayor of Charlotte. Mayor Vi Lyles has refused to hand over public documents on Chief Johnny Jennings’ payoff. It is a payoff since a lawsuit was never filed, only threatened. Our mayor and some council members seem to support the “no transparency” method of governing.
Am I the only one who cares that over $305,000 of taxpayer money was used to pay Jennings over an incident we know little about? Am I the only one upset that public records are being withheld? I have supported Mayor Lyles until this cover up became public.
I can’t vote for her this year because of this secrecy. I’m not qualified to run for mayor, but I would hope some others are. The mayor and some council members were betting on people forgetting. Don’t forget. We need a new mayor.
Willa Hackney, Charlotte
Gaza
Isreal’s starvation and killing of Palestinians in Gaza will be known as one of the worst brutalities on a massive scale to achieve political goals. The goal of “never again” adopted following the Holocaust was not meant to apply only to some. It was meant to condemn and punish wrongs that are so calculated and devastating civilization cannot ignore them. Protesting brutality is not antisemitism; it is not support for Hamas. It is a plea to Americans, Israelis and all nations to stop the atrocities in Gaza.
Thomas Welchel, Charlotte
Fossil fuels
It’s been dangerously hot. Trump denies climate change. Go outside to know he’s wrong. His actions protecting fossil fuels are killing North Carolinians. There’s a lot that our senators can do. An all-the-above policy that excludes solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear and battery storage is insane.
Also insane is Duke Energy’s plan for more natural gas power stations. Fossil fuels generate too much CO2, making the planet hotter. It’s illogical to build more stations, putting out more CO2, so everyone can run their air conditioning to stay cool. We must do something now.
Dean Kluesner, Charlotte
York Library
As a mother, school counselor and library patron, I’m deeply concerned by the York County Library Policy Committee’s proposed policy to move children and YA books mentioning transgender people or gender identity to the adult section. The chair suggested they copy policy by Greenville County in S.C., which is under ACLU lawsuit alleging discrimination.
Adopting such a policy will bring legal, financial and reputational risks to York County. More importantly, it tells LGBTQ+ youth that their identities are inappropriate. All children deserve to see themselves and their families in library books and spaces. I urge the YCL board to reject this discriminatory policy.
Given the politically motivated appointments by York County Council to allow for this change, I’m not optimistic. County boards should be non-partisan and focus on community needs, not political agendas. York County deserves better.
Lacey Layne, Fort Mill