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Benton A&P Commission still studying events center idea |
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Wednesday, 25 June 2008 |
The Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission continues to study the possibility of an events or civic center.
The commission has conducted interviews with Wittenburg, Delony and Davidson and GH2 architects regarding the proposed center, Jill Jones, executive director of the commission, told the Benton City Council on Monday night.
“The events center has been tossed around for a long time,” Jones said Tuesday. “If it ever becomes a reality, we have to work with architectural firms to help us determine the design and functuality of the facility.”
The proposed events center would be located near the old airport, Watts Field, off the Interstate 30 access road. The site is near the Saline County Fairgrounds.
Two properties in the area were purchased in April by the commission to make way for a proposed events center.
“The properties were purchased below market value as preliminary moves for the proposed future events center,” Jones said.
Each parcel of land was purchased for a little more than $200,000.
Jones said the commission is in the process of securing bids for asbestos abatement and demolition on the properties at 924 Fairfield and I-30.
In other A&P news, the commission has approved a $2,900 funding request from the Red Man Pro Bull Riding Tour for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The event will be held Friday and Saturday, July 25-26, at the Saline County Fairgrounds.
Another funding request of $2,000 was approved from the Benton Parks Commission in support of the July 4th fireworks display at Tyndall Park. The free event will begin at 6 p.m. and the fireworks show will start at 9.
Funding also was approved for the “Staycation” event over Labor Day weekend. The free event will be held Monday, Sept. 1, at Tyndall Park to give families a way to celebrate the holiday without leaving town.
A funding amount for the Labor Day celebration has not been determined.
The commission also approved membership to the Southeast Touring Society, which is a group of tourism, advertising and economic development bureaus in 12 Southeastern states.
David Prater has resigned from the A&P Commission and the organization is seeking a replacement from the local hospitality industry, Jones said.
Prater is owner of Wallpaper For Less and former owner of the Market Street Events Center, which means he is no longer part of the city’s hospitality industry.
The commission’s bank balance as of May 31 was $691,298.84. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, at the A&P office in the new shopping center adjacent to Benton Municipal Complex.
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