Many Sacremento citizens are questioning the wisdom of spending public money for a downtown arena.

"I really have concerns about people who will never be able to afford (arena events), paying for it," said Karen Jacques, a Sacramento small-business owner and activist who attended the meeting.

The idea of building a new arena downtown has been around for years. A plan to build the arena in the downtown railyard fell apart just seven months ago.

Businessman Giannoni urged the group in attendance Monday to focus on the benefits to surrounding businesses.

"I always have pointed to this complex as what can happen when you spend your public funds wisely," Giannoni said. "Look at what has happened around the convention center."

But Mike Noto said he was afraid that public financing would leave the city up to its neck in debt.