Pfd Created To Replace Coliseum

In the late 1980s, it was obvious to almost everyone in Spokane that the 30-year-old Coliseum had reached the end. Its roof leaked, the heating was failing and the ice-maker was unreliable.

Some of the biggest entertainment wouldn’t perform at facilities with less than 10,000 seats. The Coliseum had 8,500.

The Coliseum needed an estimated $8 million worth of repairs - money the city didn’t have.

In 1988, the Legislature came to the rescue, creating a law that allowed formation of a public facilities district. Lawmakers said that for large and expensive capital projects, a local government would not have enough money.

Spokane’s district was created in 1989 and validated by Spokane County voters in 1990. Its sole purpose was to replace the Coliseum.

Voters that year were urged to “vote yes twice,” once for a hotel room tax and then for a bond issue.

Opponents argued that the city should wait for a private developer to build a non-essential plaything. Proponents said that would probably never happen, and if it did, high school sports programs would pay higher fees at a private facility.

Voters approved a hotel room tax, but turned down a proposed increase to their property tax bills.

In 1991, arena supporters were back. Glossy fliers showed a glittering arena with Kenny Rogers’ name in lights. This time, voters were urged to support a 0.1 percent sales tax. They did.