Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – As has been the case with modern presidential libraries, the host organization — whether it be a university, city, county or state has provided the land for the construction of presidential libraries. Most recently, SMU provided land on its campus for the George W. Bush Library in Dallas.
In the case of the Clinton Presidential Center (which included facilities/land for the Clinton School), the city of Little Rock first proposed raising the advertising and promotion tax on hotels and restaurants from 2 cents on the dollar to 3 cents on the dollar to purchase land. That met with widespread opposition from restaurant and hotel owners, and the idea was dropped.
On the recommendation of City Director Henry Hodges, Little Rock came back with a plan to issue revenue bonds to purchase the land. After the city board unanimously passed it, a citizens group led by activist Nora Harris began a petition drive that, if successful, would have resulted in a special election on the issuance of the bonds. Those circulating petitions had 30 days to reach a certain number of valid signatures to have the issue placed on the ballot.
During this 30-day period and believing that Mrs. Harris might successfully obtain the number of required signatures, a group of private citizens funded a survey to determine what would happen were there to be an election. This poll, which was conducted April 15-16 1998, has never been released.
Here’s the key question from the April 1998 poll:
“The city board recently proposed a sixteen and a half million dollar revenue bond issue that will support three projects. Most of the money would be used to purchase land for the Clinton Presidential Library which will then be built with private funds. About a fifth of the money would fund improvements at the Little Rock Zoo and the city public golf courses. If an election were held today, would you vote for or against this bond issue?”
Definitely for —26%
Probably for–18%
Probably against–21%
Definitely against 30%
Don’t know/undecided 4%
Mrs. Harris was unsuccessful in obtaining the required signatures. No election was held. The bonds were issued and the $165 million Clinton Presidential Center, which includes the Clinton Library, Clinton School and Clinton Park, was built.