if i could figure it out, i would rename this topic "Russellville Development", but i cant figure it out lol...
Just wanted to update everyone on the proposed Convention Center/Hotel
from "The Courier"
Developer John Q. Hammons, who during the past several months has expressed interest in constructing a hotel-
CONVENTION CENTER in northern Russellville, said he decided to build because of the future he sees in the city.
In a telephone interview with The Courier from his office in Springfield, Mo., Hammons said, "Here's what I think about Russellville: You are right on I-40, right on the river and the lake, ... You've got good schools and a good college that's growing. ... There's also some industry within 40 or 50 miles, and oil and gas drilling to the east and northeast.
"I look at all of these things for the future. I build for the future — not for today or yesterday."
Hammons' relationship with Russellville began in August 2006, Arkansas River Valley Alliance for Economic Development Chair Jeff Pipkin said.
"This all started with (former) Mayor Raye Turner," Pipkin said. "She contacted him, and over a period of several months convinced him to visit Russellville."
More than three years ago, community leaders including the county judge, school district superintendent, hospital administrator, Arkansas Tech University president met at several round-table meetings, Pipkin said, adding that Turner then acted on the leader's requests.
"Every time we had a meeting, the lack of a large meeting facility in the area kept coming up," Pipkin said. "Most of the comments I heard were that we had outgrown the Hughes Center."
After many conversations and personal visits, Pipkin said, Hammons agreed to a partnership with Russellville. As long as the community provided the land and prepared it for development, as well as provided $150,000 per year for 25 years for maintenance, Hammons agreed to invest the money needed to build a first-class hotel-
CONVENTION CENTER.
"[Hammons] was impressed with the fact that we have an Advertising and Promotions Commission whose job is to bring visitors to the area," Pipkin said. "He is confident they can bring conventions to the area and put heads in the beds. He feels he can make it profitable."
Hammons said, "I denote that Russellville can continue to grow as long as the people in the community want it to advance. ... I looked at all of the factors, and I believe the area's retail will grow, the college will grow and the industry will grow. But the area needs new hotel. I decided to do it, but the city has to help me out a little bit to do that."
According to Pipkin, if voters approve the 1-cent sales tax continuation for the next six years, about 16 percent ($6.9 million) of the tax would fund the
CONVENTION CENTER-hotel project. The $46 million facility would include a hotel with possibly 200 rooms, while the proposed
CONVENTION CENTER would house 1,000 in a banquet setting. If the sales tax is approved, Hammons would begin construction in 2008 and complete in 2009.
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lol
