Benefits from venues will ripple across region

Whensizing up financial commitments, responsible leaders — whether in business or government — compare the cost with the benefits. If Orange County commissioners conduct this exercise, they’ll vote yes Tuesday on a package of investments that includes a new soccer stadium and improvements to other venues for sports, culture and conventioneers.

Visitors in Orange County would cover the $94.5 million cost of the package through the taxes they pay on hotel rooms. If tourism slumps for two or three years, reserves could make up any shortfall in collections.

And residents across Central Florida — not just in Orange County — would get plenty of bang for the tourists’ bucks:

Anew stadium in downtown Orlando to land a Major League Soccer franchise. The Orlando City Soccer Club, a championship minor league team, is poised to move up.

Money to help complete another downtown venue, the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, with a world-class hall for symphony, ballet and opera performances.

More funding to enhance the renovation of the Florida Citrus Bowl and make Orlando’s football stadium a stronger contender for top sporting events.

Additional improvements to the Orange County Convention Center and more dollars to market the region to visitors. Both would boost tourism — still the foundation of Central Florida’s economy.

Orlando’s leaders already are convinced. Earlier this month, the City Council unanimously endorsed the package.

Many critics have focused on the tourist-tax funding for the 18,000-seat soccer stadium — though at $20 million, it represents just 21 percent of the total package.

And again, there would be multiple benefits in return for this cost: Asecond big league team for Central Floridians. Another venue to revitalize downtown Orlando, the region’s urban core. Anew magnet for tourists and more business for hotels, shops and restaurants. Acityowned facility available for other sporting events, including college soccer and lacrosse tournaments.

Last month Seminole County commissioners committed $2 million to the soccer stadium. Seminole officials have projected that an MLSteam would provide a $31 million economic boost to the county over the next decade by training there and attracting tournaments.

Orlando City would contribute $30 million up front to build the soccer stadium, and commit to annual payments of $675,000 to finance an additional $10 million in construction costs. The combination comes to nearly half the estimated $84 million price tag of the facility.

County commissioners should stifle the urge to impose any additional conditions on the team or Orlando that might cause the deal to unravel. The multiple benefits for Central Floridians of the soccer stadium and the other elements of the package easily justify the cost for tourists.