Poll: Share your opinion of Spectrum Center renovations, Charlotte Hornets practice facility
The city of Charlotte is expected to vote Monday on a deal that could renovate the Spectrum Center and build a Charlotte Hornets practice facility next door.
The proposed deal between the city and the NBA team, which leases the arena, extends its lease to 2045 and suggests the city pay $215 million in renovations. The city owns the Spectrum Center and is contractually obligated to pay at least $173 million in renovations.
The money for renovations will come from the city’s tourism dollars — rental car sales tax or hotel occupancy rate tax, for example — and won’t affect the city’s general fund budget, city officials say.
The deal also includes $60 million toward the practice facility that would come from naming rights for a new uptown entertainment and sports district around the arena. Few specifics about the district and naming rights have been discussed by the city.
Some Charlotte City Council members have expressed concerns about the deal’s transparency as the public just has Monday’s city council meeting to provide input on the proposed renovations and new facility.
Charlotte residents’ and visitors’ tourism tax dollars would go into this deal, so we want to hear from you.
