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Orange County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
Smart Voter

Great Park Convention Center

By Bijan Mazarji

Candidate for Council Member; City of Irvine

This information is provided by the candidate
Build a convention center at the OC Great Park to bring revenue to the Great Park and economic development to the Irvine and south county area.
I agreed with the plan to stop the Airport after MCAS El Toro closed. I know the Great Park is going to be a wonderful place for Irvine and Orange County to visit. But, I don't know how the Great Park is going to cover its own operating costs or the costs of expanding City Departments to service the Great Park. I believe a great way to generate income for local businesses and increase revenue for the City without further taxes on residents is to have a convention center in the Great Park area. This convention center will rival Anaheim's and San Diego's convention centers and attract many wonderful conventions to our City. Out of town convention goers will stay in Irvine hotels, eat at Irvine restaurants and buy from Irvine stores. The City will benefit from the sales tax income, and the transient occupancy tax (hotel tax) income.

Irvine is home to a large number of businesses that may very well be interested in hosting conventions in their own backyard rather than trekking out to Anaheim, Los Angeles, or San Diego. For example: Blizzard Entertainment the creators of World of Warcraft could hold Blizzcon at the Great Park Convention Center. We could be the new home of Comic-con, the OC Auto Show or SEMA.

According to a recent OC Register article, Anaheim is trying convince Comic-Con International to move the 125,000-person, high-profile event away from San Diego. Also, Anaheim and Garden Grove recently raised their hotel taxes to generate more revenue for their cities. According to the OC Register, "Anaheim would generate an estimated $11 million annually, and Garden Grove would pull in an extra $1.5 million" from the tax increases.

With a brand new Convention Center, prime location, proximity to wonderful golfing and the beach, Irvine can host some great conventions, generate local business and raise City revenue without burdening residents for more taxes.

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ca/or Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 29, 2010 16:43
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