Is Charlotte rushing Panthers renovations decision? City Council shares questions, concerns
Charlotte leaders need to hear more community feedback before they decide whether to commit hundreds of millions to renovating Bank of America Stadium, multiple City Council members say.
Tepper Sports & Entertainment, the ownership group led by David Tepper, unveiled its plan a week ago for the largest and most expensive renovation yet to the home of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC. The plan calls for $650 million in city investment, which would come from hospitality tax revenue. It also includes a 20-year non-relocation agreement for both teams.
Under the timeline presented by city staff, the council could make a final decision June 24 on its part of the money with community members able to sign up to speak at a public forum the same day. That timeline is based on a desire to avoid delays by holding a vote before the council takes a weekslong summer break, Assistant City Manager Tracy Dodson said.
But multiple City Council members said Monday they want a public hearing held on the proposal before the day of the potential vote.
“I think we’re missing an opportunity,” Council member LaWana Mayfield said.
Council members did hear some feedback Monday from responses submitted to a city webpage on the project. They also had the chance to pose their own questions about the proposal, including whether it includes enough protections for city money given Tepper’s history of pulling out of projects.
Community feedback on Panthers proposal
More than 450 people had submitted feedback at charlottenc.gov/stadium through Monday afternoon, Dodson told the council.
Major themes in the feedback, according to Dodson, include:
Suggestions that the money should be spent on other items. Charlotte is limited by law in what hospitality tax revenue can be spent on.
A desire for Charlotte to have “adequate protections” in place for its investment.
Opinions about the proposed new features and design changes to the stadium, including questions about why the stadium isn’t getting a roof or dome.
While a public forum will be held June 24, Council member Dimple Ajmera said it would be difficult for council members to make an informed decision at the same meeting.
“I think this is a very important economic impact that we are talking about,” she said.
Mayfield suggested the council schedule a public hearing at their next zoning meeting on June 17, as well as listen to comments at the June 24 meeting.
The council did not vote on Mayfield’s suggestion.
Does Charlotte City Council trust David Tepper?
In addition to hearing public feedback, council members also shared some of their own questions and comments on the Panthers’ proposal Monday.
Ajmera brought up what she called “the elephant in the room”: questions about Tepper’s reliability as a partner given his “history of not following through on other deals in the past.”
A Panthers plan to build a new practice facility and headquarters in Rock Hill fell apart in 2022, sparking lawsuits and attention from investigators. And Tepper pulled out of plans to build a youth academy and soccer fields at the old Eastland Mall site the same year. It took the city more than a year to nail down another plan for the property
“How do we ensure we are not left with something half-baked?” Ajmera asked Monday of the pitch for Charlotte to help with stadium renovations, adding she wants to see a more detailed payment schedule.
Dodson emphasized the plan calls for the city to reimburse costs rather than giving money directly to Tepper Sports.
Council member Ed Driggs called the team’s plan “potentially a huge benefit” for Charlotte. But, he said, he needs to see “an actionable commitment by the team that gives us remedies if they don’t stay on schedule” before he’s fully on-board.
“We want to make sure we protect our interests,” he said.
Council member Malcolm Graham, who chairs the council’s economic development committee, said the city is taking a “trust-but-verify” approach.
“We clearly understand what’s happened around us, but we clearly are protecting the interests of the city every step of the way, in every document, in every conversation,” he said.
This story was originally published June 10, 2024 at 8:33 PM with the headline "Is Charlotte rushing Panthers renovations decision? City Council shares questions, concerns."
