Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourism Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Effingham Events Center asks city for up to $600,000 to replace aging parking lot
Summary
Leaders of the Effingham Events Center requested up to $600,000 in hotel/motel tourism funds to mill and replace a 25+-year-old asphalt parking lot and upgrade lighting; council expressed support and will consider funding levels before the next meeting.
Representatives of the Effingham Events Center (KC Hall) asked the City of Effingham for assistance with a major parking-lot replacement and lighting upgrade, estimating the total project at about $600,000 and asking that hotel/motel tourism funds be considered.
Brian Caldwell, president of the Events Center board, said the venue saw more than 73,000 visitors last year and held 242 rentals, and that the original asphalt is more than 25 years old and needs milling and full replacement. ‘‘We are needing $600,000 worth of funding for that,’’ Caldwell said, asking the council to consider assistance and to decide how much the city can contribute.
Tourism Director Taylor and several council members said the Events Center is an important community asset that draws visitors and supports hotel stays and local businesses; the mayor and council indicated they are open to using hotel/motel funds for the project and will discuss internally the appropriate funding level (council members referenced potentially contributing between $400,000 and other amounts) before returning to the public agenda.
No formal funding commitment was approved tonight; council asked staff to review funding sources and bring options for consideration at a future meeting.
