Sunday, May 30, 2010

Can't unscrew Dew

By Amy Pollick, You don't say, The Decatur Daily

Sharon Holder nearly had to do without her daily Diet Mountain Dew last week when the business manager for the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau encountered a stubborn twist-off cap.

After she and the rest of the bureau staff failed to get the cap dislodged, they called Ronnie Dukes, marketing director for Pepsi-Cola of Decatur and a bureau board member. Dukes hastily sent a man to her office with a new bottle.

“Now that’s service,” Holder said.

By the way, the Pepsi delivery man couldn’t remove the bottle cap, either, and it remains stuck to this day.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Officials: 12,000 to 15, 000 attended SoulStock

By Catherine Godbey, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

With a move to a new city and a new venue, officials did not know what to expect from SoulStock 2010. What they got was a crowd of 12,000 to 15,000.

With Alabama State Defense Force volunteers directing traffic, Saturday, a stream of cars, church vans and rental buses filled Point Mallard’s five parking lots and the Jubilee field.

“Everyone who was there would not have fit on the field in Athens,” said organizer Phillip Presley. “I was thrilled in every way. The weather was great. The facilities were great. The show went off without a hitch.”

The success relieved SoulStock’s leaders, who opted to relocate the one-day worship event to Decatur after 11 years at Athens State University.

“We know we are being watched this year. People in Decatur want to see if we are all we say we are,” said SoulStock committee member Billy Caldwell.

Caldwell and Presley hope SoulStock impressed the city. They will find out soon.

“We have a meeting next week to discuss returning to Decatur. We would love to come back if they will have us,” Presley said.

The event earned the support of at least one city leader.

“They said they had plenty of space and (are) hoping next year that they can grow it even more, and I definitely believe they can do that,” said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Expanding sponsors


Along with a return to Decatur, Presley wants to expand the number of participating businesses and churches. About 50 businesses from North Alabama and 47 churches sponsored and donated items for SoulStock 2010, Caldwell said.

The businesses and churches help fund the free event, and the support totaled $60,000 this year.

“All we ever said we want to do was get back to zero and we did that,” Presley said. “Eventually we hope to build it to be a multi-day event. It won’t happen next year, but hopefully sometime in the future.”

Since the event is free and volunteers do not track the attendance, the exact number of festival-goers is unknown. “One policeman said about this many people were on the field when Reagan came to town,” Presley said, referring to 1984, when President Ronald Reagan visited Decatur.

Presley said Saturday’s crowd was probably the largest in the Christian music festival’s history.

But at 15,000 people, SoulStock has a lot of growing before it competes with Point Mallard’s other annual events.

According to Reist, the two-day Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic and two-day Spirit of America Festival attract about 40,000 people each.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Plan your parking for pair of festivals

By Lucy Berry, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

Decatur’s two free weekend festivals are sure to attract big crowds, so tourism officials are offering parking tips to avoid the traffic.

The Daikin Festival will take place Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 at the Morgan County Fairgrounds. With more food and drink tickets, a grand prize drawing for a flat-panel, high-definition television and free happi coats to the first 2,500 attendees, the festival is expected to attract 18,000 people.

At a time when people are afraid to spend money, the cultural festival offers families a free, fun event that appeals to people of all ages, said special events director Kayla Riggs.

Riggs suggests that attendees arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to ensure that they get a good parking spot and receive a happi coat, which is a Japanese coat, or robe, that contains an emblem, family crest or logo on the back.

Shuttle service

Parking will be limited near the fairgrounds, so a free shuttle service will be available to all festival attendees. Guests can park at Austin High School or Decatur Mall, where 30 buses will circulate every five minutes.

“I encourage people to utilize the convenience of shuttle parking,” said Forrest Keith, Daikin human resources manager. “One hundred percent of people that I’ve talked to who have used it before say they would use it again in the future.”

Daikin organizers will incorporate Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” into a Japanese folk dance as a diversion from traditional Japanese dances.

Additional activities like Japanese calligraphy will be available for attendees during the festival.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a 30 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms in the evening.

“The show must go on, rain or shine,” Keith said.

Alabama Jubilee

The Daikin Fest will gear up for the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Festival this weekend with 15 hot air balloons for people to ride, depending on the weather.

The Alabama Jubilee kicks off Saturday morning at Point Mallard Park, where guests can watch the Hare and Hound Balloon Race and receive tethered balloon flights later that day. Sunny skies and mild temperatures are expected Saturday morning. Meteorologists predict a possible thunderstorm that afternoon and a high of 88.

Ideal conditions

Mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 70s will make for a pleasant Key Grab Race on Sunday morning.

Partly cloudy skies and warm temperatures are expected Sunday afternoon, while a chance of rain at 9 p.m. makes the anticipated fireworks extravaganza on Sunday evening somewhat uncertain.

Designated parking lots will be available at the water park, water slide and T.C. Almon Recreation Center, but parking spaces will fill up quickly. Guests also can park at General Electric, where shuttle buses will transfer passengers to the event from 3 p.m. to 10.

“It is very difficult to find parking,” said John Barnett, president of the Jubilee committee.

“In the afternoon, the parking really picks up, but the shuttle bus will be circulating about every 10 minutes.”

The two-day event will offer concerts, a Memorial Day ceremony, antique car and tractor shows and art exhibits.

“This is probably the biggest event in Decatur,” said balloon pilot Mike Wahl.

“It’s a big event now, with bands, concessions and balloons. It’s unique in that there are not many balloon races in Alabama, and it is the only balloon race to have been around this long.”

Alabama Jubilee Schedule

About 60 hot air balloons will fly at Point Mallard this weekend, participating in two flight competitions, a hot-air balloon glow and at least one fun flight. Balloons fly early in mornings and evenings to take advantage of the lighter winds occurring at sunrise and sunset.

Saturday, May 29

6 a.m. — Balloon pilot’s briefing

6:30 a.m. — Hare and Hound Balloon Race

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Arts & Crafts Shows (old ice rink)

7 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Point Mallard Auto Expo Antique Car Show (behind Ice Complex)

8 a.m. — The Southland Flywheelers Antique Tractor Show

9 a.m. — Two-cylinder Continental Engine demonstrations (also at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.)

10 a.m. — Tractor Parade of Power (around the Jubilee Field)

10:30 a.m. — Tractor games

Noon — Pedal tractor pull (also at 2 p.m.)

12:30 p.m. — Memorial Day Skating Exhibition, Point Mallard Ice Rink

3 p.m. — Music by Sophisticated Swingers

3:30 p.m. — Tractor club benefit auction

4 p.m. — Music by Angry Native

5 p.m. — Music by 8 Years Later

5 p.m. — Hot air balloon pilot’s briefing

5:15 p.m. to dusk — Hot air balloon fun flight and/or tethered hot air balloon rides

6 p.m. — Music by Crossfire

7 p.m. — Music by Kim Stone

7 p.m. — Arts & Crafts Show closes

8 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Music by Natchez Trace Band

8:20p.m. to 9 p.m. — Balloon Glow (Jubilee Field)

Sunday, May 30

6 a.m. — Balloon pilot briefing

6:30 a.m. — The Lynn Layton Chevrolet Hot Air Balloon Key Grab Race

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Arts & Crafts Shows opens (old ice rink)

2 p.m. — Music by Owing Adam

3 p.m. — Music by Catchfire

4 p.m. — Music by Dan Hocter Trio & Friends

4 p.m. — Memorial Day ceremony

5 p.m. — Music by Kacy Fox

5 p.m. — Balloon pilot briefing

5 p.m. to dusk — Tethered hot air balloon rides and balloon glow

6 to 7:30 p.m. — Music by Sister Luck

8 p.m. — Music by John Stone, Nashville recording artist

9 to 9:30 p.m. — Fireworks spectacular, provided by Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Co.

Note: All hot air balloon flights and events are weather permitting.

Lodging taxes down, despite occupancy gains

By Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

City lodging tax numbers are down for the sixth time in the past seven months, but this time it occurred while there was an increase in hotel guests.

Decatur collected $56,284 in hotel taxes in February, down 10 percent from the $62,528 the same month in fiscal 2009. The room occupancy rate for the same months, however, showed a 10 percent increase, from 40 percent to 50 percent. The figures came from the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The reason for the smaller tax collection is because hotels charged less for rooms, said Tami Reist, bureau president.

“When hotels started seeing that trend of business dropping, their automatic thing was lower rates to build up occupancy,” she said. “It used to be just your smaller franchises did that, but now it’s your Westins, too.”

Lower rates

The average daily rate for February 2009 was $67.19 compared to $64.44 in February 2010. A difference of $2.75 may not seem like much, but it adds up, Reist said.

The city collects a $2 per room night fee that goes toward special projects like Ingalls Harbor, but it also collects a tax that is a percentage of hotel revenue. Seventy-five percent of that tax revenue goes to the bureau for operating expenses.

The cheaper rates did help build back business, she added, but now hotels are raising rates again, leading to customer complaints. The bureau has advised hotels to maintain rates and ride out the economic storm so they can profit more when business returns, she said.

With the reduced lodging tax revenue, the bureau’s ledger has remained in the red all fiscal year. It was $11,000 over budget in April and $84,000 over budget for the fiscal year.

“The expenses aren’t out of line,” said Wade Weaver, board treasurer, noting the bureau already cut $60,000 from the yearly budget. “It’s the income.”

Budget cuts did not affect direct advertising and promotions, he said, which must be stronger during a downturn in tourism.

“Even though these are ugly numbers, it’s not a crisis we can’t handle,” Weaver said.

Having anticipated downturns in the industry, the bureau has sufficient reserves to withstand the 2010 budget shortfalls, he said.

The bureau has saved money this year in a variety of ways: relying more on mass e-mails instead of sending promotional materials via standard postage; not attending some trade shows; reducing print materials; and reducing hours for weekend staff.

The bureau avoided a $15,000 fee to host the Wo­men’s Bass Tournament when the event canceled and was refunded $20,000 when an FLW fishing tournament lost television coverage.

Reist said lodging tax numbers should improve next month as preliminary accounting shows hotels had a 3 percent increase in revenue during March.

Decatur Convention Bureau

By Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors on Thursday:

•Reported the city has collected $398,420 in lodging taxes for fiscal year 2010, an 18 percent drop compared to the same period in fiscal 2009. The bureau receives 75 percent of the lodging taxes for operating and promotional expenses.

•Reported the $2-per-night room occupancy fee generated $37,685 in February (collected in April), which was $7,603 more than the same month in 2009. For the fiscal year, the fee has generated $228,328, which is down $20,692 or 8.3 percent compared to last year.

•Reported four April fishing tournaments filled 272 room nights for a total economic impact of $124,570: Southern Collegiate Bass Championship, 154 room nights for a $71,065 economic impact; American Bass Anglers, 43 room nights for an $18,519 economic impact; Bassmaster Weekend Series, 33 room nights for a $16,467 economic impact; Fellowship of Christian Athletes Bass Anglers Classic, 42 room nights for an $18,519 economic impact.

•Reported the Gulf South Conference Softball Tournament in April filled 322 room nights for a $166,870 economic impact and the Calhoun Women’s Softball Tournament filled 41 room nights for a $21,758 economic impact.

•Reported the Alabama Community College Conference State Tennis Championship in April filled 18 room nights for a $9,969 economic impact. The tourney had one less team than last year’s event, which filled 31 room nights.

•Reported the Racking Horse Spring Celebration in April filled 186 room nights for a $91,769 economic impact. The event filled 26 more rooms than last year.

•Reported the bureau office on Sixth Avenue Southeast will get a new $5,000 roof because of hail damage. The bureau paid a $500 insurance deductible.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

NIGHTS ON THE TOWN

After-hours events like 3rd Friday aim to bring community downtown
By Andrea Brunty, Living editor, The Decatur Daily

Third Friday Downtown — three words that signify a movement to those who run Decatur’s downtown shops, restaurants, theater and other spots.

What started as a way to bring people downtown after hours on one block has slowly grown into a monthly community get-together on several streets.

In addition to the after-hours shopping and free family-friendly live entertainment it offers, 3rd Fridays signify a new way to do business in a tough economy.

Trish Land, owner of the shop with her name on Moulton Street, says downtown Decatur is riding the new wave of business trends.

“We’re having to be creative, and it’s working,” said Land, who also hosts acoustic concerts occasionally at her store after hours. “These evening events help introduce my store and its unique items to potential customers.”

Diversification is the key to a successful business right now, she said.

While the 5-8 p.m. event is mainly on Bank Street and Second Avenue and a few side streets this Friday, merchants say they hope to involve all of downtown soon.

“We have a lot of new businesses and enthusiasm, and I think we’re all trying to think up themes and come together in a grassroots project to make downtown a destination for entertainment, shopping, dining and museums,” said Lindy Ashwander, executive director of the Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts on Second Avenue.

Last year, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, which already hosted its monthly Fri@5 artists’ reception on third Fridays, sponsored a meeting where organizers from Gadsden shared how they started the city’s First Friday events.

“The merchants from upper Bank Street in the 800 block got together and said ‘It’s got to start somewhere,’ ” said Gloria Arthur of Bank Street Antique Mall.

After a couple of months, the 700 block of Bank got involved, and then merchants on Second Avenue joined in.

This year, the merchants linked with the Decatur Jaycees to coordinate the dates of Cajunfest and Riverfest with 3rd Fridays.

Now, some businesses around town are sponsoring MCATS buses to shuttle people from Bank Street to the Carnegie and to Second Avenue.

“What we’re seeing is there are a lot of people out there who believe in Decatur and are willing to work with the merchants downtown to have events that show people what we have to offer,” said Arthur, citing support from Decatur Parks and Recreation Department, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Redevelopment office.

Though several of the business owners are on the Main Street Decatur board, 3rd Fridays Downtown is merchant-based, Arthur said.

However, it’s not necessarily something to increase sales, she said.

“We want to make people feel welcome and become a part of our environment,” she said.

For some businesses, though, the event does make a difference in sales, she said. She estimated that between 100 and 200 people attended last month.

Several downtown businesses will participate for the first time this Friday. For example, Tallulah’s, a women’s boutique and hair salon that recently moved to Bank Street, will feature live mannequins in their windows.

Acoustic guitarist Shaun Ferguson will perform in front of another first-time participant, Emiron Music on Second Avenue.

The Princess Theatre will hold its first “Concert Under the Marquee” on Friday at 7 p.m. featuring classical guitarist Emily Jones of Decatur, who teaches guitar at Mississippi State University.

Ashwander is planning more events for the 3rd Friday festivities, such as classic movies.

“This will take a while to build, but if you are looking for something to do on a third Friday, know that downtown will have some activities going on and be a fun place to come,” Ashwander said.

Restaurants such as Timbuck2 and Simp McGhee’s on Bank Street, Vittone’s on Second Avenue and The Brick Deli on Moulton Street are participating, too.

Merchants are also raising funds for nonprofit organizations.

Shine(Salon) on Second Avenue will feature local artist DJ Moses, who will paint shoes for TOMS Shoes, an organization that donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold.

Your Story Captured, which recently moved next to Shine(Salon), will host an open house and silent auction to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Morgan County. The studio will offer giveaways, complimentary cocktails and light hors d’oevures. If you donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters, you can get a retouched head shot taken for free.

Join the 3rd Friday Downtown group on Facebook for more details.

More music

Land’s special events in her shop include other Fridays and Saturdays, as well as 3rd Fridays. She has sponsored several acoustic music “house concerts” where she provided appetizers and soft drinks.

Michelle Malone and Blue Mother Tupelo played the May 7 concert.

The next one is planned for June 26 featuring Malone and Will Kimbrough from Nashville, who has been nominated for best guitarist for the Americana Music Association.

“House concerts are taking place across the country in stores, libraries and homes,” said Land. The suggested donation is $25 for her events, which are for those 21 and older.

“The reason I do this is that I want my store to be a source of community, and music really brings people together,” she said. “And I want to expose the Decatur area to original acoustic music they may not otherwise get to hear.”

Excalibur


Acoustic music extends to a few blocks away at Excalibur Vintage & Vinyl. John Verchot knew he wanted to host after-hours live music even before he opened his shop in November next to the back entrance of Decatur Athletic Club on Second Avenue.

“I wanted to create an environment where young artists and budding performers in the community could have an outlet and people could come and enjoy music,” he said.

As a musician himself, he knows the struggles of finding a venue outside of a bar or event center.

“The biggest hurdle is finding a venue to play in where you A) Don’t have to pay money upfront, and B) It can be an all-ages event,” he said.

“A lot of times you’re playing in bars and that’s fine, but sometimes people are there drinking and they don’t necessarily care about the music as much.”

The shop hosts after-hours, all-ages music events two to three times a month.

This Friday, Matt Spencer will play a folk acoustic show with Colin Bugbee and Freeman Gray at 9:15 p.m. at Excalibur. Cover is $5.

The shows offer a view at merchandise, which ranges from vintage records and work by local artists to thrift clothes and jewelry.

“I try to not offer just one item; I try to appeal to as broad a crowd as I can,” Verchot said.

Though most shops downtown close at 5 p.m., Excalibur stays open till 6 Tuesday through Thursday and till 8 on Friday and Saturday. See www.excalibur
vv.com.

Daily Brew

The Daily Brew on Market Street is hoping music with a view of the Tennessee River will be a draw for customers. The deli, coffee and gelato shop plans to offer Open Mic Nights once a month.

The first, hosted by Cookie Stoner, will be Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Gray Cauthen and Tom King are scheduled to perform.

Usually the deli is only open during lunch, but this summer they are extending their hours, said Carolyn Bild of The Daily Brew.

At their previous eatery on Point Mallard Parkway, Open Mic Nights were popular and featured everything from poetry recitation and storytelling to fiddling, though most performers were guitarists and singers, she said.

“Anyone’s welcome to come. We’re doing it outside on the patio, and it’s the perfect place to have it with a view of the river,” she said.

You can purchase charbroiled burgers and slaw dogs, homemade Italian gelato and desserts, wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres such as bruschetta.

The Daily Brew also plans to open during Concerts by the River on Monday nights, and feature entertainment Thursday and Friday nights.

“We wanted to provide another entertainment option for the community,” Bild said.

Performer sign-in is from 5:30-6 p.m. Thursday. Call 686-1593 or see www.daily
brewcafe.com.

Concerts by the River at Rhodes Ferry Park features area musicians and groups from 6-8 p.m. every Monday through Labor Day. See www.decaturparks.com for more details.

Art & more

During the 3rd Friday event this week, you can paint a clay butterfly for $5 at Memi’s Pottery on Bank Street. This summer, the shop is continuing its Canvas & Conversation (and Palettes & Punch for children), where you can paint with local artists. Though hours vary, some are from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 350-0101, e-mail memipottery@charter.net or see memipottery.blog
spot.com.

Tammy Eddy Antiques and Interiors on Bank Street plans to host an after-hours event Monday night at 7. Athens artist Carole Foret will paint on canvas, while Bill Hunt will read from his novel “A Full-Grown Man.” Call 306-0007.

Staff writer Patrice Stewart contributed to this story.

3rd Friday Downtown music

Emily Jones, Princess Theatre, Second Avenue

Justin Miller, Memi’s Pottery, Bank Street

Kim Stone, Willis Gray Gallery, Second Avenue

Margie Cumbie as Patsy Cline, Bank Street Antiques

Shaun Ferguson, Emiron Music, Second Avenue

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Decatur lures Crappie USA tournament

Paul Stackhouse, Outdoors, The Decatur Daily

You can believe your eyes when you read that there is going to be a crappie tournament held at Ingalls Harbor this week. That’s right, not a bass tournament, but a crappie tournament.

Crappie USA has brought its two-day Super Event to Decatur, Ingalls Harbor and Wheeler Lake on Friday and Saturday. The first place prize amount will be announced at a later time, but Crappie USA says there is a guaranteed purse of $10,000 for the anglers.

The top angler in the tournament will not only win a cash prize, but he or she will also have an opportunity to advance to the Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic later this year.

A lot of people don’t realize just how big crappie fishing is in this area. But I’m guessing this tournament will bring out the crappie anglers of North Alabama in big numbers to watch the weigh-ins and learn some of the pros fish-catching secrets.

It would probably be wise to set up a few extra chairs at the pre-tournament seminar Thursday evening at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites located near the corner of Wilson St. and 6th Ave., N.E. Most of the tournament competitors will be at the seminar, but the public is also invited to attend.

Registration for the tournament begins at 5 p.m. Thursday with the meeting and a National Sponsor Field Test Product Drawing (seminar) slated to begin at 7.

The tournament weigh-ins take place Friday and Saturday at Ingalls Harbor beginning at 3 p.m., and it is also open to the public.

In a release, Crappie USA said it will be presenting a Crappie Kids Fishing Rodeo that is to be held in conjunction with the tournament. Crappie USA says it encourages America’s youth to actively participate in the preservation of our lakes, the sport of fishing and their educational goals.

The Kids Rodeo is set for Saturday morning at Ingalls Harbor and is free to children 12 years-of-age and under. Sign up begins at 8 a.m., with the rodeo itself taking place from 9 to 11 a.m. All participants are eligible to win one of six Crappie USA $2000 scholarships that will be awarded later this year.

For more information, contact the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 256-350-2028. To learn more about Crappie USA, you can visit its Web site at crappieusa.com., or call 270-395-4204.

Bassmaster Elite

The Bassmaster Elite Series, which is said by many to be the major league of professional bass fishing, held two tournaments recently in North Alabama.

On Sunday May 2, 2010, Arkansas pro Kevin Short claimed the $100,000 first place prize on Pickwick Lake with a four-day weight of 75 pounds, 1 ounce. Short brought in a five-bass sack weighing 23 pounds, 5 ounces on the final day to secure the championship and the check for $100,000.

Rounding out the top five were Mississippi pro Cliff Pace (70-04, $25,000), Steve Kennedy of Auburn (67-09, $20,000), Rick Morris of Virginia (65-02, $15,000) and California’s Skeet Reese (64-14, $15,000).

Last week, Reese brought in an unbelievable four-day sack of Lake Guntersville bass weighing 100 pounds, 13 ounces, to claim the first place prize of $100,000. Reese also received $1,500 in bonus money.

Rounding out the top five were South Carolina pro Davy Hite (93-03, $25,000), John Crews of Virginia (92-11, $20,000), Morizo Shimizu of Japan (92-05, $15,000), and Russ Lane of Prattville (91-15, $14,000).

Products Mart to discuss sale of land near fairgrounds

By Ronnie Thomas, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

The State Products Mart Authority of Morgan County will consider selling about 6.5 acres at Wimberly Drive Southwest and Fairgrounds Road at its board meeting Tuesday.

The board meets at 7 a.m. at the law offices of Harris, Caddell & Shanks P.C. at 214 Johnston St. S.E. The public is invited.

Contract


Jeff Parker of Parker Real Estate LLC, who markets property for Products Mart, said he has a contract with a buyer for a cash purchase of $625,000. The property is across from the Home Depot parking lot.

Parker said the site would be ideal for a national chain restaurant or restaurant/hotel combination.

“I think that would be best for the city and for that location,” he said. “The Decatur Convention and Visitors Bureau says there’s a need for more hotel rooms and the site is in proximity to Jack Allen Park and the soccer fields.”

Products Mart Chairman Ed Monroe called the transaction “a bona fide deal that we’d all be proud of. We’ll take action one way or the other Tuesday.”

Offers

He said Products Mart has had seven or eight offers for the property during the past two months.

Monroe said he spoke with Sonny Wright of the Tennessee Valley Exposition, which sponsors the nearby annual Morgan County Fair, to make sure, he said, that the sale would not negatively impact the fair.

Products Mart has a contract with Tennessee Valley Exposition to provide a
site for the fair through 2016.

Wright, a member of TVE’s executive committee, is the group’s liaison with Products Mart.

“This is a piece of property we don’t use normally,” Wright said.

“We used it several years ago for parking. We have property south of that tract we use as an overflow parking lot. We don’t feel selling it would adversely affect the fair.”

Parker said he has sold land to the purchaser over the years.

‘Speculative buy’

“This is a speculative buy,” Parker said. “Land is better than having cash in the bank right now.”

Jim Page, vice president of public policy and business development for the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, said he has already spoken to developers and restaurant officials about the site.

“It’s a great parcel for a restaurant or hotel specifically because of its proximity to Chili’s, but it could really be utilized for anything because of access to Wimberly Drive and the Beltline,” he said.

“That section has become a commercial corridor with Chili’s, Home Depot and Academy Sports, and Hyundai is back up and running. Options are pretty wide open. There are unlimited opportunities for that piece of property.”

Portfolio

Page said it will be part of his portfolio he takes to the International Council of Shopping Centers on May 23-25 in Las Vegas.

“There will be 50,000 people there,” he said.

“It’s the world’s largest gathering of people in the retail profession. I’ve got a comprehensive retail guide that encompasses the city, including the Beltline, Sixth Avenue, the Alabama 24 corridor and downtown.”

Page said that while the chamber doesn’t advocate for any specific part of the city, he said the Southwest has prime retail property and also residential growth.

“There’s viable land now and viable land for many, many years,” he said.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Sports, balloons, music a cash bonanza

May events to boost Decatur’s economy
By Catherine Godbey, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

A stimulus plan a la Parks and Recreation. Rather than bailouts and tax credits, Decatur’s stimulus includes sports tournaments, hot air balloons and a Christian concert.

Officials expect the events to double the city’s population and inject more than $1.5 million into the revenue stream.

In May, the city will host two soccer tournaments, a softball championship, fishing competition, SoulStock and the Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic.

Anchoring the event lineup are mainstays of Decatur’s recreation and entertainment scene — the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics softball championship, the Alabama Youth Soccer Association State Cup and the Alabama Jubilee.

“Last year, NAIA had an economic impact of about $1.1 million,” said Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “And the Alabama Youth Soccer Association State Cup brought in $224,000.”

In the last four years, the Alabama Jubilee averaged an economic impact of $258,500.

Combined, the three events brought $1.5 million to the city. Tourism officials are sure of those numbers. What remains a mystery is the impact of the new events.

“SoulStock, Crappie USA and the Mickey Holmes soccer tournament are new events so we don’t really know what to expect,” Reist said.

SoulStock organizer Phillip Presley said the city should prepare for thousands of youth and adults to crowd the Spirit of America field. In previous years, the music festival attracted 20,000 revelers.

Music, fishing

While Christian music fans gather at Point Mallard, fishermen will meet at Ingalls Harbor. One of three Super Events held annually, the Crappie USA fishing tournament will take place May 20-22. Crappie USA held the first Super Event in Columbus, Miss., in April. The event lured 100 anglers from 11 states.

For the Mickey Holmes tournament, Alabama Youth Soccer Association officials planned for a 40-team competition.

“We can track the hotel rooms during these events, but so much of the economic impact is not traceable,” said Parks Marketing Coordinator Julianne Lowman. “These visitors fuel up at our gas stations, eat at our restaurants and shop at our stores. Every single license plate seen in our parking lots is an extra dollar for the city.”

Parks Director Jeff Dunlap credited the return of old events and influx of new events to years of development and a team committed to the parks.

“We created a team of people years ago that had a focus and motivation to create an economic impact for the city through recreation,” Dunlap said. “We have done that, and people are coming to us asking us to host events because of our reputation.”

The team started out with Parks and Recreation and the CVB but expanded to include stores and restaurants, which help sponsor events.

“We are playing with a winning team. Everyone in the community seems to really understand the importance recreation can have on the economy,” Reist said.

More money generated through tournaments and events means more money available to upgrade facilities for tourists, but primarily for the citizens of Decatur.

“We try to touch on everyone’s recreational needs and enjoyment. If you look you’ll see we’ve done that. We bring in tourism to the city that helps us finance quality of life events for the public,” Dunlap said.

What’s happening in May Returning events


•Friday-Sunday and May 14-16: Alabama Youth Soccer Association State Cup. 2009 economic impact of $224,000.

•May 20-26: NAIA softball championship. 2009 economic impact, $1.1 million.

•May 29-30: Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival. 2009 economic impact, $258,300.

•May 29: J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center opens.
New events


•May 14-16: Alabama Youth Soccer Association Mickey Holmes Cup, a 40-team tournament.

•May 20-22: Crappie USA tournament, expected to bring in 100 anglers.

•May 22: SoulStock, 2008 event attracted 20,000 people.

Council OKs loan for Ingalls pavilion

By Evan Belanger, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

A 25,000-square-foot pavilion capable of seating 1,500 people at Decatur’s Ingalls Harbor will be completed in less than a year if all goes according to plan, local officials said.

The City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday for the city to loan up to $2.8 million to fund the project, which was requested by the local Hospitality Association and the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

The loan jumpstarts construction efforts with the funding to be repaid during an indefinite time period, through revenues generated by the Hospitality Association’s $2-per-night surcharge on local hotel stays.

“This just means that they don’t have to wait for us to go to a bond market to get started,” Councilman Gary Hammon said.

Work to start on plans

According to Tami Reist, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, officials will begin working on detailed plans for the project Tuesday.

“If everything goes as planned, it should be March of 2011 that we’ll actually have the pavilion,” she said.

To be designed by Godwin and Barnett Architecture, the pavilion is intended to expand public use of the city-owned facility beyond its primary function as a popular site for fishing tournaments.

Its preliminary design features enough space to seat 750 at tables and 1,500 without tables. It also features wooden panels to close off the interior during inclement weather.

To cover the loan immediately, the city is expected to draw from a $4.9 million surplus left from previous fiscal years.

However, the council also approved Monday a related resolution that allows the city to reimburse the debt through a future bond issue if desired.

City finance officials project the room occupancy surcharge will generate about $400,000 annually, with an estimated $161,414 already dedicated to existing Ingalls Harbor debt.

Reist said she is confident the fund can support both debt payments.

With a total projected cost of $2.77 million, the Ingalls Harbor pavilion project is expected to include extensive landscaping, sidewalks, parking lot construction, and electrical work, in addition to the pavilion.

Council OKs loan for Ingalls pavilion

By Evan Belanger, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

A 25,000-square-foot pavilion capable of seating 1,500 people at Decatur’s Ingalls Harbor will be completed in less than a year if all goes according to plan, local officials said.

The City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday for the city to loan up to $2.8 million to fund the project, which was requested by the local Hospitality Association and the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

The loan jumpstarts construction efforts with the funding to be repaid during an indefinite time period, through revenues generated by the Hospitality Association’s $2-per-night surcharge on local hotel stays.

“This just means that they don’t have to wait for us to go to a bond market to get started,” Councilman Gary Hammon said.

Work to start on plans

According to Tami Reist, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, officials will begin working on detailed plans for the project Tuesday.

“If everything goes as planned, it should be March of 2011 that we’ll actually have the pavilion,” she said.

To be designed by Godwin and Barnett Architecture, the pavilion is intended to expand public use of the city-owned facility beyond its primary function as a popular site for fishing tournaments.

Its preliminary design features enough space to seat 750 at tables and 1,500 without tables. It also features wooden panels to close off the interior during inclement weather.

To cover the loan immediately, the city is expected to draw from a $4.9 million surplus left from previous fiscal years.

However, the council also approved Monday a related resolution that allows the city to reimburse the debt through a future bond issue if desired.

City finance officials project the room occupancy surcharge will generate about $400,000 annually, with an estimated $161,414 already dedicated to existing Ingalls Harbor debt.

Reist said she is confident the fund can support both debt payments.

With a total projected cost of $2.77 million, the Ingalls Harbor pavilion project is expected to include extensive landscaping, sidewalks, parking lot construction, and electrical work, in addition to the pavilion.