Published: May 10, 2008 08:57 pm            

A few good ideas for our city

How about a hotel and conference center in Richmond?

What an interesting question? I learned the other day that this idea is being tossed around again and given the changes in the community, maybe its time has come.

Three years ago, the idea surfaced, including a major commercial and residential complex off Exit 90 with a water park. However, because of community opposition, it was put on the back burner and went underground until now.

I was very critical of that plan as well as the possibility of public funds being used without community input, which of course, never happens in Richmond. It’s not important how I learned about it or who said it. What’s important is that it may have merit this time around, especially because of the Fine Arts Center slated for EKU.

However, I don’t believe public funds should ever be used for this type of venture unless the citizens of Richmond and/or Madison County overwhelmingly approve it.

Now that the idea of a hotel and conference center has surfaced again, I’d like to offer up three different scenarios as food for thought for the location of it. My first scenario is a result of my visits to our corporate headquarters in Birmingham, Ala.

It is located outside the city in an area similar in nature to Gibson Bay. A lake is located there with walking, biking and running trails as well as areas for a leisurely lunch. Also, a Hampton Inn with conferencing abilities is located across from it.

Why couldn’t that exist at Lake Reba? The city already owns land there that has been the center of a fire storm lately. Yes, I’m referring to Camp Catalpa. I know this is going to ruffle a few feathers on both sides of the issue, but I guess that’s never been a concern of mine. I don’t really care if you agree with me or not. I just hope my columns evoke emotion and get you to think because when that happens, usually something good comes out of it.

Let’s get back to the idea of a hotel and conference center at Camp Catalpa. I would think there would be plenty of land for such a project and maybe it could be done in a way to also help preserve the site. I’m sure if the city would offer up the land with a long-term, low-cost lease and bid it out, we might be able to find a private investor or hotel chain willing to take it on. Who knows, maybe even Allen Grant Jr. or Ed Worley might be interested.

The second scenario involves building it downtown, which makes more sense, but might be more difficult to build. A downtown location would solve four problems at one time. Why not convince Ed Worley and his many companies to build it? He is buying up all that property downtown on First Street and beyond. We would need the city to convince the U.S. Postal Service to build a new center on the bypass and then Worley could buy that land as well as any remaining property needed to build it.

Or another scenario would be for the city to use some its existing property they own and exercise eminent domain to make it happen — of course bidding it out to private enterprise. According to Richard Thomas, a candidate for city commissioner, we have many depilated houses continuing to deteriorate with nothing being done about it. What better way to correct that situation and put that land to better use?

Anyway, my ideas are just food for thought. But just imagine a downtown hotel and conference center with underground parking. On the first floor we could have a couple of nice restaurants. On the second floor, we could have conference rooms adaptable to either large or small crowds, while offering a venue for banquets or wedding receptions. And of course, on the remaining floors, we could have nice hotel rooms close to EKU and local government.

It would solve four problems. First, we solve the inherent need for a hotel and conference center; secondly, we solve the downtown parking problem with underground parking. Next, we eliminate complaints about the location of the post office, and finally, what’s most important, we drive people to downtown where small specialty shops, boutiques or eateries could possibly flourish and help revitalize downtown.

Now, before any of you entrepreneurs run with these ideas, remember everything that appears in the Richmond Register is copyrighted. But, hey, I’m not that kind of guy. If someone out there has the money, the guts and passion to do it, have at it. But remember one thing, please involve the community unless you want another Camp Catalpa fire storm on your hands.

Nick Lewis is publisher of the Richmond Register. He can be reached at nlewis@cnhi.com or

624-6682.

        

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