Editorial: All about patience
When city of Worthington voters approved a new half-cent sales tax back in November 2008, many probably anticipated a new events center being completed — or at least under construction — by now.By: Daily Globe, Worthington Daily Globe
When city of Worthington voters approved a new half-cent sales tax back in November 2008, many probably anticipated a new events center being completed — or at least under construction — by now.
That, of course, hasn’t been the case. Worthington residents can view dividends of the half-cent tax each time they drive past Memorial Auditorium and Performing Arts Center, where renovation and expansion is expected to be complete by this coming spring. Events center plans, however, stalled when a memorandum of understanding between Plymouth-based Ruhr Development and the city expired in July 2009. The economy, it has been said, was not conducive for development of what’s been estimated to be a $3.5 million project.
Today, the future of an events center — and more — is once again bright. City council members on Monday night laid the groundwork for a final agreement with Cornerstone Construction of St. Cloud on what would be a 64-room Country Inn & Suites hotel with an indoor pool/water park, along with an events center. Both would be managed by Central Group Companies, also of St. Cloud.
The city and Cornerstone have 60 days to come to terms on a final agreement, and Worthington City Administrator Craig Clark was decidedly optimistic about one being reached. Of course, that’s no guarantee of a project ultimately getting off the ground, as was the case with Ruhr Development.
Economic development can sometimes be a painfully slow process, as cities across the state, country and world compete for amenities that increase their appeal. We are grateful for the work being done on this front as we await Worthington’s big prize.
Tags: opinion, editorials, worthington
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