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The rights idea is a good start, as it would defray some expenses. But the fundamental problem with the Coliseum is underutilization. It seems all we ever hear about the Coliseum is criticism of Matt Brown, followed by him defending himself, followed by nothing getting done.

I have no idea if the problem is Brown, or some resources he needs that he isn't being given, but there is too much money sunk into the facility to continue the status quo. In fact, the lower profile the facility maintains (in terms of bringing in major acts and sports events) the more likely things will be worse in the future. Do the name deal, then follow it up with a plan that makes something happen.

Allen it's terrible implying everyone can be had...

Although, I do kind of think "The Simkins PAC News & Record" has a nice ring to it also.

Where does it stop? Why don't we sell the names of our new schools? Why don't we sell the name for UNCG? Still yeat, Why don't churches sell the name of the church to get money for good causes. I am not ready to sell out to the highest bidder.

I would think the name "Greensboro Coliseum" has greater value than whatever income the city could garner from selling the rights to name the venue. A city's name recognition brings in millions of dollars a year from visitors who would otherwise have no idea where the Google Coliseum is located.

Big events like the ACC and NCAA tournaments provide national exposure to our city because the city's name is right there in the name of the venue. I would hate to lose that name recognition and income in favor of a few hundred thousand dollars a year.

If Barber really wants to help...he should coach the new owners of the 4seasons mall that if they don't go back to using a significant security presence...it will not matter.

The mall has already started on the path of Carolina Circle. OH...shoot...that mall no loner exists.

If selling the naming rights to the Coliseum can help relieve some of the excessive burdens being placed on taxpayers, it should be done immediately. I can't see any logical reason not to.

However, any money brought in by naming rights should offset expenses currently being paid by taxpayers. It shouldn't become play money for Matt Brown and the City Council.

I would still like to see accurate figures on what the CVM brings in per year in tax revenue to the city coffers. I want to know wether the CVM complex is an economix boost, burden or wash. I know the complex itself runs at an annual deficit but how much do events at the CVM generate in taxes? After that we can factor in the quality of life stuff and make our own decisions about how well the CVM is being run. Too many people focus on that annual deficit of the buildings.

Jason, I brought up the issue of removing Greensboro from the name, but both Brown and Barber say the word "Greensboro" would remain prominent in the coliseum's branding and (I've always hated this word) signage.
For instance, Greensboro would remain emblazoned on the court and on the basket supports during the ACC Tournament.

I have an idea....how about renaming it "The Honda Center" or "The Honda Arena"? :)

Allen,

The ability to sell the naming rights for the Greensboro Coliseum already exists. In the motion passed by the city council several years ago, the only prerequisite is that the name contain "Greensboro War Memorial" in the official title such as "The XXX Arena at the Greensboro War Memorial Coliseum."

We all know the media and the public would quickly shorten it to "The XXX Arena" whenever referring to it. Just look at the Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem -- I hear it referred to as "The Joel" all the time.

The problem is not the inability to sell the naming rights -- it has been the lack of a sponsor to put up the money to purchase those rights. For the record, I am in favor of any money earned by selling the naming rights be used at the Coliseum itself to fund improvements and/or offset the operating deficit.

Thanks for the info, Sandy. How do you feel about Barber's proposal to rename High Point Road/Lee Street?
As for the Joel, its full name is actually longer than you indicated: It is "Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum" and its naming stirred a huge controversy back in the 1980s. It was not pretty. I covered it for the Winston-Salem Chronicle.

Thanks for the information, Sandy. I hope a sponsor steps forward soon - any revenues that can offset money currently being spent by taxpayers is great.

Personally, if a coliseum sponsor is found, I'd like to see a dollar-for-dollar reduction in city property taxes. Taxes are too high across the board and any relief would be welcome.

Just curious, Allen - what was the controversy about the Lawrence Joel Coliseum?

As I recall, a group of Vietnam veterans conceived the idea to name the coliseum in honor of the late Lawrence Joel, the only Congressional Medal of Honor winner in Forsyth County history.

Joel was a medic who had tended to wounded comrades during an Viet Cong ambush while he was wounded himself -- and still under fire. He had been shot in the leg but crawled to each injured fellow soldier.

It seemed a good proposal to nearly everyone in the beginning. But some World War II veterans groups who originally endorsed the Joel name suddenly changed their minds.

The Vietnam vets said it was because they discovered that Joel was a black man.

That led to a very emotional and contentious public debate. (The WWII vets denied this, saying they simply didn't think the building shoud be named for one person.)

The name as it stands now is a compromise of sorts: The coliseum bears the name of Joel but also all other veterans.

Allen,

Thanks for correcting my omission in LJV Memorial Coliseum - I knew my version did not seem 100% correct. I vaguely remember the controversy you cited about the name selection.

At first blush, I'm not supportive of OFFICIALLY renaming the Lee Street/High Point Road corridor -- there's too much tradition and history to just wipe away. I would not object, however, to some sort of ceremonial designation, similar to what we did with Patterson Street in marking it as the ACC Parkway? Highway? Boulevard?

just saying,

I agree that money earned from selling naming rights to the Coliseum should be used at the coliseum to offset the operating deficit. However, don't anticipate any huge windfall deduction in the tax rate as a result. Coliseum Director Matt Brown has cautioned us (the War Memorial Commission) not to expect anything even approaching the $1 million mark due to our size, market and location. The annual General Fund subsidy to the coliseum has been in the $1.5 - 1.8 million range -- less that one cent on the tax rate (one cent on the tax rate generates approximately $2 million in revenue). If we were lucky enough to land someone and sell the naming rights for a half million dollars, you'd be looking at a 1/4-cent reduction of the tax rate. Still, I guess every bit helps!

As far as cost to city taxpayers, the $1.8 million subsidy to the Coliseum compares to $6.1 million+ for Libraries (approximately 3 cents) and Parks & Recreation at $18.2 million+ (approximately 9 cents).

Sandy, I think Barber has a viable idea. As for tradition and the current names of the streets, I don't know that either really means that much to people, especially High Point Road. As for Lee Street, which Lee are we talking about anyway?

I think a good long term goal for the Lee Street High Point Road corridor is to introduce the streetcar connecting downtown with the Koury Convention Center. I would love to see Greensboro have a trolley. They are bringing them back in Charlotte and Winston-Salem is studying wether a streetcar corridor plan connecting Baptist Hospital and Piedmont Triad Research Park. I do think thats a great idea but it is expensive. Something to think about though.

I think a good long term goal for the Lee Street High Point Road corridor is to introduce the streetcar connecting downtown with the Koury Convention Center. I would love to see Greensboro have a trolley. They are bringing them back in Charlotte and Winston-Salem is studying wether a streetcar corridor plan connecting Baptist Hospital and Piedmont Triad Research Park. I do think thats a great idea but it is expensive. Something to think about though.

Good idea, Tim. I could also see a more modest route from Koury to the coliseum.

Allen,

To be honest, I've never thought about which "Lee" Lee Street is named. It has always had that name to my knowledge.

The point is, I think -- just changing the street name change won't revive the area. Real improvement will occur when redevelopment or increased economic development takes place. I was delighted to read in this morning's edition about the possible new development of the current Leon's site at Aycock and Lee. We need plenty more of that type of activity to revive this corridor.

I agree, Sandy. I think Mike's idea is not to revive the area by changing the street name. He wants to sell the naming rights, but at the same time do something fresh and meaningful to re-emphasize the tribute to veterans that the coliseum was supposed to be in the first place.