The Lubbock City Council approved a resolution Thursday evening to abandon the Lubbock Municipal Auditorium and Coliseum, effective October 1.
The resolution passed on a unanimous vote with no discussion.
The city staff can proceed with transferring the properties to Texas Tech University, which voters approved in a May 5 ballot question.
In a work session, Brooke Witcher, managing director of cultural facilities and special events, said the city has agreements for events at the facilities that will end September 30. The handover date of October 1 also coincides with the city’s fiscal budget.
When asked in the meeting about the ABC Pro Rodeo, Pope said to his knowledge, Texas Tech will maintain the coliseum through the spring 2019 event.
When the facilities return to Texas Tech’s ownership, Pope said he hopes historically significant items can be saved.
Related Story: Coliseum and Auditorium election results
Below is the item summary for the resolution:
This resolution confirms the positive vote of the Citizens of Lubbock to authorize the City Council to proceed with the abandonment of the Municipal Auditorium-Coliseum, memorializes findings relative to the need to abandon the facilities, and instructs the City Manager to proceed with negotiations necessary to terminate existing agreements and related matters between the City and Texas Tech University. The resolution further establishes October 1, 2018, as the intended date to transfer the properties from the City of Lubbock to Texas Tech University, per the referenced deeds and acts of 1953.
View the full resolution here.
