Apr. 30, 2003 -- A proposal to expand the Phoenix Civic Plaza convention center in downtown Phoenix is coming back to life in the Arizona Legislature after it appeared dead and buried early in this year's session. 

Senate President Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, responding to heavy lobbying from Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza and several Valley tourism and economic development groups, will waive his own rules this week to allow a new bill on financing the plaza to be filed. "Details of the language are still being worked out," said Nick Simonetta, a spokesman for Bennett. "But the president clearly has indicated he will allow it as a late introduction." 

Supporters have strong hopes, but the likelihood of passage remains unclear as some Republicans and Democrats question the value of the $600 million project to taxpayers outside of Phoenix or the Valley. Some Senate Republicans have been trying to convince Bennett not to succumb to pressure from Rimsza. The Phoenix mayor wants to seal a deal with the state on funding the expansion project before he leaves office later this year. 

"It's wrong. No bill should be introduced this late," said Sen. Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert. "They should wait until next year." 

Other East Valley lawmakers said they are keeping an open mind. But Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, R-Chandler, said he wants some guarantees that Phoenix will reimburse the state if the expansion doesn't lead to the expected number of additional visitors and hotel bookings. 

"Phoenix should be willing to bear the brunt of these costs if the predictions don't come true, not the general taxpayers of the state," Tibshraeny said. 

Supporters argue that Phoenix, the sixth largest city in the United States, has only the 60th largest convention center. The Valley has lost 2 million delegates and $2 billion in direct spending in the past 12 years as conventions have gone to other cities with larger facilities, said Steve Moore, president of the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

The expansion is one of the top goals of the Greater Phoenix Business Leadership Coalition, a group of 10 business organizations pushing for more regional thinking in the Valley's economic development. The East Valley Partnership, one of the members of the coalition, supports the expansion, said president Rockne Arnett. "Raising the plaza to the level of some of the great convention centers around the country will only add value to the convention facilities in the East Valley," he said. "That's an example of how we can work together and how we are in fact regional in our thinking." 

Robert Brinton, executive director of the Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau, also said his organization supports the Phoenix expansion. He cited experience with Phoenix International Raceway in the West Valley. "It's about as far on the west side as you can get, but during races Mesa hotels fill up with race fans or displaced business that is pushed out our way," he said. "That is what would happen with the Phoenix Civic Plaza." 

Even if addition hotel rooms are built in downtown Phoenix to accommodate bigger conventions, the East Valley would benefit, he said. "It fosters exposure of our area," he said. Despite regional support, Brinton conceded it will be difficult for lawmakers to explain to approve the project during tough budget times. "It looks like you're cutting education and police and fire protection to subsidize golf courses and meeting planners," he said. "People don't see that delegates are spending money here when they come in to a convention." 

Under the Civic Plaza proposal, Phoenix would finance half of the cost while the state would cover the remainder beginning in 2009 using tax revenue generated by the expanded convention center. 

By Le Templar and Ed Taylor 

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(c) 2003, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.