The Daily Camera asked the candidates about building a convention center and where it should be located. I have no opinion on if this should be done (although if the arts part includes bringing in all the Eurovision finalists, then I'm very much in favor) so my grades below do not reflect if they are for or against the center. I wouldn't use a convention center and I don't go to the farmer's market (except when my wife drags me there).
My grades are based on answering both questions clearly and showing a good understanding of the issues involved. I do have one question though - why not put the entire thing underground? Convention centers generally are a bunch of rooms with no windows so why put it above ground?
Posts by some candidates are still coming in (this just went up) so I will update for the candidates who's posts come in after this.
Matthew Applebaum B+ : About as good an answer you can get from someone who likes the concept but has a lot of issues he wants to see resolved first. And he does want to see the Farmer's market continue.
Philip Bradley F : no answer.
Seth Brigham F----- : Seth wrote more than everyone else put together. And it veers of into who knows where quickly. I stopped reading it.
Shawn Coleman A- : Like Matt, a good answer and Shawn has clearly put in a lot of time on this issue and sees all of the pieces of it. I think Shawn could be the best candidate on this issue if you want someone who will work to find a good way to implement this.
Macon Cowles C+ : Lists the trade-offs but his answer is light and I think that means he does not have the detailed knowledge of some others. On the flip side, his answer leads one to believe that with more knowledge, he would do a good job on this.
Angelique Espinoza B- : Good points on sizing the center (only one to do so) and believes having the University as a partner is critical. Standard general reply about what location is the right fit...
Crystal Gray B : standard general answer but well said. And brings up the issue of the center surviving a flood (good point!). Wants to insure it does not kill the Farmer's Market, teahouse, etc. - which is different from saying that they are sacrosanct and is a even balance.
Andrew Harrison C+ : Good solid answer with clear specifics of what should and should not be done and why. However on location he supports the transit idea which I think is a terrible location for the center.
Philip Hernandez F : no answer.
Nabil Karkamaz F : no answer.
Kathy Kramer C+ : Strong clear answers. She also is against the Farmers Market location and does list some alternatives - but most of them are not good. She also is in favor of a cultural/arts part to the events center.
Adam Massey C- : Very short generic answer, specific that he supports it but prefers not 13th & Canyon with no listing of alternatives.
Lisa Morzel F : no answer.
Alan O'Hashi C : Very short generic answer, but he is specific that he supports building it.
Susan Osborne F : no answer.
Eugene Pearson C- : Ok, I don't have a strong preference either way but I think Eugene's proposal to put it at the transit village is nuts. When people are at a convention they want to walk (not drive, not take a bus) a short distance to both food and their hotel. And if they do have to take a bus, you need to have 10 buses waiting there when it lets out because everyone needs the bus at the same time.
Susan Peterson F+ : Ok, we're in la-la land here. A "World Community Center ... that attracts free thinking and expression." Thats the ticket - a convention center loses money itself but the added business revenues make up for it. Lets insure that it's a total loss by just bringing the occasional kumbaya crowd. Because lord knows, if Boulder is short of anything, it's free thinking.
Larry Quilling F : no answer.
Tom Riley B : Is in favor of the center but not in the downtown area. Lists the usual other locations. Talks quite a bit about how to fund it which is a key point. And is clearly a proponent of making arts/culture part of it.
Eric Rutherford C- : Clear answer in favor of the center and why. No mention of the Farmers Market or the cultural/arts component so my guess is they are both toast in Eric's opinion.
Rob Smoke C : Clear answer of no unless it doesn't hurt anything else (which is almost impossible). He then veers somewhat (not totally) off-topic.
Update: In answer to Rob's comment, I would have prefered some specifics of where he would put the center and what we lose (if anything) if we just don't do it. I said somewhat off-topic because he didn't completely answer the initial question and he then basically threw out general questions.
Ken Wilson B- : Short clear answer supporting a convention center but not at the proposed location. No details about where he would like to see at and what his parameters for a location are. His answer appears to be written fast so I assume he does have a better understanding than he expresses.
