Arena Over Budget

[Wilbur]

The bids for the new arena came in more then $30M over budget:

http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=102878

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0406/321246.html

So now what?

Even before Vision 2025 was voted on, those who opposed Vision 2025, in part, said there was no way to build the proposed arena for the orignal estimated cost.  And it appears they were right.

So what do we do now?  Some people believe Vision 2025 planners intentionally estimated the arena low because they knew once the building started, it would be easy to come back and say "We've already started building, but we need more money."  and the voters would approve.

And, at this point, do we honestly believe this will be the last time we are told the arena is over budget?  The American Airlines Arena in Miami,

http://www.aaarena.com/

which looks amazingly similar to Tulsa's new 'one of a kind' arena, came in much higher to build then even the new bids can account for.

How do we proceed?  Build less?  Stay on track?  What's fair?  What's the right thing to do?