Continuing coverage
The Dayton Daily News has provided in-depth coverage on the Huber Heights music center story since we broke the news in December 2012 of the city's proposal. We will continue to follow this story closely and bring you the latest updates as they develop.
What: Huber Heights City Council meeting
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Where: City Hall, 6131 Taylorsville Road
Huber Heights officials are considering spending more than $1.25 million for a VIP area and concession stand upgrades to the city’s $18 million music center — about a quarter of a million more than initially anticipated.
Legislation that would have authorized $1 million in spending is expected to be withdrawn by City Council Monday night due to "reconciliation of the project," Councilman Mark Campbell said.
The projects being considered are upgrades to the VIP area and concession stands that were believed to cost $480,000 and $520,000, respectively, and would be financed by the city.
Instead, the first reading of three pieces of legislation is scheduled to take place Monday night — $400,000 for the VIP area, $99,000 for VIP improvements and $758,879 for concession stand upgrades.
“We’ve identified the true, accurate numbers,” City Manager Rob Schommer said. “We’ve got to make sure we accommodate the entire expense. It’s not that anything was incorrect before.”
The VIP area was part of the scope of work originally approved last year by the Huber Heights planning commission and Montgomery County.
Project manager Ken Conaway said earlier this week that the VIP area is 55 to 60 percent complete.
The Administration Committee will meet July 22 for a presentation on how the upgrades will pay for themselves in increased concession revenue and sponsorship opportunities.
“I want to know why and how we’re going to make more money selling that hot dog if we go with this extra money,” Campbell said.
Assistant city manager Scott Falkowski previously said the additional revenue is estimated to be $92,000 to $112,000 annually.
Huber Heights resident Ed Terek said council is now tied to approve the legislation “because the money has already been spent.”
"To Joe the resident, the city is coming to me saying they need to raise revenue or we'll lose emergency services, and at the same time, spending money on VIP areas and increasing the size of our (concession stands)," Terek said. "It's critical the council makes sure the public is aware of how the funding works."
Schommer said general fund money is not being used to pay for these projects.
The total concession stand project is nearly $1.07 million. Campbell said $300,000 of that is in the music center’s $18 million budget.
The two main concession stands will be 2,049 square feet each. Upgrades include four outdoor grills, two pizza ovens, coolers, electrical work and other equipment.
The VIP area will feature a private concession area, private restrooms, dining tent, landscaping, and a separate entrance and parking area.
Construction of the 4,500-seat covered music center at 6800 Executive Boulevard is expected to be completed by late summer.
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