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Greensboro council approves up to $21M in bonds to upgrade Coliseum Complex despite public ethics concerns
Summary
Council voted 9–0 to request Local Government Commission approval for up to $21 million in limited obligation bonds to fund Coliseum Complex improvements funded by hotel-motel occupancy tax revenues. Public speakers raised conflict-of-interest and transparency concerns; city leaders defended the financing as necessary to maintain economic impact.
The Greensboro City Council on Jan. 20 authorized staff to pursue limited obligation bonds not to exceed $21 million to fund improvements at the Coliseum Complex, to be repaid from the city’s portion of hotel-motel occupancy tax receipts.
Assistant City Manager Larry Davis said hotel-motel tax revenues have rebounded since the COVID-19 period, approaching approximately $6 million annually, and that accumulated receipts now support a debt-financing approach to pay for improvements including concourse restroom renovations, new dressing rooms, an upgraded sound system and work at the special events center.
A speaker representing Public Integrity Watch, George Hartzmann, urged council to table the request and alleged associational conflicts and unexplained spending by outside organizations that partner with the Coliseum. Hartzmann called for independent review and raised concerns about governance and disclosure of sponsored events.
City legal staff and the council responded: counsel reviewed the recusal questions raised in public comment and advised that existing disclosures and campaign contributions by outside counsel do not necessarily create legal conflicts that require recusal. Several council members emphasized the Coliseum’s economic impact and the need to keep the venue competitive to attract events and visitors.
After closing the public hearing, council voted 9–0 to adopt the resolution requesting Local Government Commission approval and to amend the FY25 budget to appropriate the funds. City staff said this financing would enable multi-part projects across the complex and that another phase of work may follow.
What the action authorizes: Staff may pursue LGC approval of the financing and proceed with budget amendments needed to issue limited obligation bonds; future borrowing terms and exact project scope will be conditioned on LGC approval and market conditions.
Votes and next steps: Council voted unanimously to authorize pursuit of LGC approval and to adopt the budget ordinance authorizing the appropriation and issuance process.
