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5/3/2010
Appleton Convention Center Coalition has a finger on the scale
According to the minutes of the April 26 meeting of the City of Appleton’s Community Development Committee, (pages 7-9 of the .pdf) minutes were not made available to document the first meeting of the City’s new 24-member Convention Center Coalition. Community Development Department Director Karen Harkness shared the group’s hypothesis statement:
… it is the consensus of the Coalition that City of Appleton should move forward in the development of a convention exhibit center to compliment the facility present in the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, and elsewhere, in a manner consistent with long term plan for downtown.
According to Harkness, the coalition has been divided into seven task forces and a full report is expected to the Mayor and Common Council by mid November. Community Development Committee chairperson Jim Clemons asked when his committee would see the report (at the same time as the Mayor) and raised the issue of Coalition proceedings being recorded. (City Attorney Walsh asked that minutes be kept for future meetings.)
The discussion confirmed that all task force and full Coalition meetings will be open public meetings. Meeting times and locations will be posted and anyone may attend.
Alderperson Michael Meyer wondered aloud if the “cart was being put before the horse,” with the Coalition working under the assumption that a Convention Center will be built in Appleton – and it was the Coalition’s job to figure out how.
Alderperson Jeff Jirschele shared that he was at the Radisson the previous weekend, observed a trade show in the pool area because it was the only available adequate space. “He stated this convention center is needed.” Clemons responded that “some might think that is the Radisson’s problem, but that is why this convention center is being looked at.”
I agree that Appleton is in need of adequate convention center space. I buy the results of a recent study that sites a location close to the Radisson as the most cost-beneficial approach by far.
I buy too, the results from the study indicating that any Appleton Convention Center would require a substantial operating subsidy to survive.
The Coalition has a steep hill to claim in its work. Stay tuned.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
And where is the subsidy supposed to come from?
Jim Smits (Mon May 03 09:02:42 2010)
Something else to pass along to the residents to be paid for by our real estate taxes--I can't wait. Am I the only person who thinks that Radisson is actually just too dowdy? After the big $2 mil renovation a few years ago, it still looks dark, old, and worn out. Oh, for some of the lighter, chic contemporary decorating in that lobby!
JeanMarie (Mon May 03 09:19:04 2010)
Lets not forget Appleton are not the only ones with our feat dangling n the water.The Fox Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau is made up of all the hotels in the Fox Cities. Room tax is where they would start for building a center. Everyone of the cities with hotel rooms, restaurants,shops, and gas stations would benefit from convention business.
Joe Martin (Mon May 03 10:02:10 2010)
With regard to the subsidy, it is unknown how substantial it would need to be. The previous study only looked at the cost to have a convention center operated independently or by the City. Presumably, if it were operated by the Radisson, there would be numerous opportunities for economies and efficiencies, so presumably the subsidy would be less substantial.
How much subsidy would be needed and where it would come from (room tax) are presumably issues being studied by the numerous task forces of the Coalition. But I like their working assumptions and am glad the process will be more open.
Terry Dawson (Mon May 03 11:30:36 2010)
The room tax would tax people who have no vote on the issue. And over 90% of them would never use the convention center.
If Appleton wants a convention center, then they should increase property taxes to pay for it. That would be the honest and ethical thing to do.
Jim Smits (Mon May 03 16:01:47 2010)
Property tax!! What!! No. This is a room tax application. As Terry Dawson said, the question is what will the costs be - capital and operations subsidy. We'll wait to see - and meanwhile, will keep up to date on the goings-on of the Convention Center Coalition.
Jo (Mon May 03 17:51:52 2010)
As I have often disagreed with Mr Smits, again I will. Radisonn has 400 rooms, when a large convention comes to the Fox Cities it will automatically overflow to the other cities hotels. Not every family will stay in downtown hotels. To build a convention center used throughout the Fox Cities and to have Appleton taxpayers pay for it is absurd.
Joe Martin (Mon May 03 18:12:57 2010)
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