When I first heard about the new convention center that was in the works to be built downtown, I will admit that I was not happy.

$37.5 million tax dollars used to build a hotel with the intent of bringing in big companies that could potentially ruin local businesses? I was not having it. Downtown Evansville needs a stimulant for growth but I didn’t think that this style of convention center was the answer and I still don’t.

That being said, its not like those in support of the hotel are out to ruin Evansville. I genuinely believe that they have what they believe to be the city’s best interests in mind.

Bringing in large companies to the struggling downtown area would help to strengthen the economy and provide jobs for potentially hundreds of residents.

What supporters are not seeing is the community that has begun to grow around some of the local businesses in Evansville.

Places like the Tin Man Brewing Company, Penny Lane and PG cafe and gallery have spawned a culture that is uniquely Evansville but far from the apathetic mentality prevalent in much of the midwest. The big business that this convention center hopes to bring in could potentially crush this culture which is still in its infancy.

It scares me that Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and other leaders in Evansville see money as the only solution to Evansville’s problems and would put the community at risk in order to make Evansville grow.

I am not an opponent to growth, but a community is paramount and if we want Evansville to thrive, we need to work as a community, not in opposition to each other. Pushing this convention center isn’t going to help the already difficult situation that Evansville is faced with.

Like I said, I’m not entirely opposed to building a hotel downtown and I feel that many of those who oppose the convention center share the same vision of growth that those in favor of it do. So lets slow down, remove the tension and drama, and discuss this like the community that I know Evansville can be.