Lubbock voters cast their ballot in a number of local contested races Saturday, including Proposition A, the proposal to abandon the city’s coliseum and auditorium that sits on Texas Tech’s campus.
According to the city charter, voters must approve the abandonment of the structure before any action is taken. By a narrow 526-vote margin, residents gave their stamp of approval. Unofficial voting results show 52 percent in favor of the proposition and 48 percent against.
The city’s decision to place the proposal on the May ballot is reportedly due to the relatively high cost of the building’s upkeep compared to revenue generated. In a letter published online by Texas Tech Chancellor Robert Duncan, he states, “The current facility is outdated, is cost prohibitive to maintain or refurbish with unknown levels of asbestos and compliance issues, and other options in the city have become preferred venues for events.” By abandoning the structure, the city relinquishes ownership to the university, who has agreed to cover demolition costs.
Duncan goes on to say, “While the Coliseum and Auditorium have been a significant part of our history, the cost of improving and maintaining the facility has become unmanageable for the City of Lubbock. The land it occupies is in a key area of the Texas Tech campus and could be better utilized for our future growth.”
Other contested races on Saturday’s ballot include Lubbock Mayor, Lubbock Council District 1, and several school board seats. For both city races, incumbents Dan Pope and Juan Chadis won their respective races for mayor and council member, while no incumbents were on the ballot for school board.
Lubbock Mayor:
Dan Pope* 78.00%
Johnathan Cothran 18.42%
Stephen Sanders 3.58%
Lubbock Council District 1:
Juan A. Chadis* 50.92%
Patrick Kelly 49.08%
Lubbock ISD School Board Trustee, At-Large:
Beth Bridges 43.83%
Art Martin 28.40%
Amanda Banks 27.77%
Lubbock ISD School Board Trustee, District 3:
Wesley Robinson 44.95%
Ben Webb 55.05%
Lubbock-Cooper ISD Trustee, Place 3:
Maurice “Reese” Pearl 26.00%
BJ Lewis 74.00%
