Super pork about to land

[rurallib]

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/3419916.html

Two Finalists Named in Rain Forest Project
By Danielle Plogmann, Producer
CEDAR RAPIDS - Organizers have selected two finalists as possible sites for the indoor rain forest project, now called Earthpark.

The educational project will be built in Riverside, or near Pella.
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This is that good Grassley brand of pork.

[CornField]

1. They can put it by the new Riverside casino

I can drive by with my kids and go "LOOK! Two excellent examples of bad ways to spend your money." So, to that extent, it will be very educational.

[IA_Seth]

2. I don't wanna be flamed here...

But what makes this "Earthpark" a bad use of our money?

I can see that it isn't the wisest investment RIGHT NOW, but if we weren't blowing money like there is no tomorrow on our "war on terra", would you still be against this?

Just curious...thanks for your insights ahead of time.

[CornField]

3. Strictly my opinion here

I think there are some things in this world which are best left to the private sector and primary on that list are entertainment venues. My thinking is that if there is enough interest and community excitement about a project, it's going to be built by someone who sees that it can be profitable.

That being said, I'm not against TIF dollars to help a private venture get its feet off the ground. I do think, at the end of the day, most entertainment ventures should be completed with private funds. Our public dollars should be used to benefit the public in real and practical ways -- schools, teachers, healthcare, roads, law enforcement, fire protection, etc.

Would I still be against this if we had a surplus? Probably. Even when government operates with a surplus (i.e., the Clinton years) we still had working families holding two jobs just trying to keep up with house payments/rent, childcare, school costs, vehicle expenses, healthcare and more. The money taken from the people should be used for the benefit of the people, not on potentially risky projects which may or may not result in economic development, community expansion, jobs, etc.

[IA_Seth]

4. Perhaps I am not up to speed on the project then....

From what I've read I perceived this "Earthpark" to be more of an educational venue than pure entertainment, akin to a zoo or aquarium perhaps...and it was my understanding that zoos/aquariums are generally paid for with public funds?

[DU9598]

5. I support the rainforest project

I think this project has the opportunity to be a huge tourist attraction as well as a scientific labratory for emerging life science technologies. Yes, it does take taxpayer money to build the thing. But, it takes taxpayer money to fund the faith based initiatives. We may as well get something back for our tax money for once.

Let's build it and hope people come!

[Blue Gardener]

7. Just don't put it by a casino

I think the Earthpark would be an interesting place to visit, but putting it next to a casino is one of the dumbest ideas I've ever heard of. At least it made some sense to put it in Coralville since the University is so close, and it's being touted as an educational venue. I just don't see the logic of putting it next a casino. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think so.

[CornField]

8. Follow the money

How else would a community the size and influence of Riverside be able to come up with the $25 million?

[rurallib]

6. I guess I pretty much agree with Cornfield

There are just so many other places that the money could be used. From what little I can recall of this project it was conceived as a tourist attraction by some rich Repub who I believe stood to make some big bucks. So if it failed he's not out the money. Not sure if that is right.
It is just that there are so many other ways that this money, even if we had it, could be spent. Just another $150 mil that will be passed on to our kids to pay for.