A recent letter opposed any city support for the New JACC. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion; but no one is entitled to make up your own facts. Let’s look at the claims made by the letter writer to see if they are facts:<\/p>\n
“This building will do nothing for the economy of Juneau.” WRONG. City staff reported that “the majority of the construction budget will flow directly into our local economy.” A $26.4 million project in our city at a time when construction activity is badly needed will do a lot for our economy.<\/p>\n
“We will need to subsidize the building with tax dollars forever more.” WRONG. Three detailed reports by the McDowell Group show a profit within three years. There will be no city tax subsidy for operations. The New JACC will be an economic engine for Juneau when it is badly needed.<\/p>\n
Finally, the tone of the letter is that the New JACC is a bad deal for Juneau. WRONG! If voters approve, the CBJ will be investing roughly 30% of the project’s cost. The rest is being raised from private sources and foundations. The city owns the current JACC, on city land. Paying for only a third of the cost of replacing it with a new facility that will be a major economic driver for Juneau, that will make it an even more attractive place for people, young and old, to choose to live, is a great deal for Juneau.<\/p>\n
Ginny Palmer,<\/strong><\/p>\n Juneau<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.<\/b><\/p>\n
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