Hotel search gets help

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Jul. 25, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Paducah city commissioners unanimously agreed Tuesday night to hire JJR consulting services to help the city secure a downtown hotel developer.

Eager to have the hotel open by the spring of 2009, the city has set an ambitious schedule, Downtown Development Director Steve Doolittle said.

JJR will draft a request for proposals, outlining the city's expectations for a hotel and convention center, that will be marketed to national hotel developers. The city should start getting responses in about 60 days, Doolittle said.

He said he hopes that by the end of the year, a project will be chosen and approved by the city commission.

Commissioner Gayle Kaler said she viewed the $25,000 consulting expense as spending money now to save money later.

The consultant also will help the city evaluate proposals and incentive packages.

The hotel probably represents a private investment of more than $30 million, along with some public investment, Doolittle said.

'It just behooves us to tap some of the private sector experience that is neutral and third party and hopefully get the best bang for our money,' he said.

Commissioner Robert Coleman said he supported seeking outside expertise.

'I think Steve is making the right move in directing us toward a consultant who will help us,' he said.

Mayor Bill Paxton said the city wants to ensure the right decisions are made as the hotel is developed. Referring to a developer's decision more than 25 years ago to locate the Executive Inn outside the floodwall and on the outskirts of downtown, Paxton said the city does not want to make any long-term mistakes with this project.

'We want to make sure we do this right,' he said.

The commission also voted to commit $18,750 to help cover higher costs for the 2008 quilt show, which will cost the American Quilter's Society about $75,000 more than last year.

McCracken County, the Paducah-McCracken County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the state also are being asked to contribute.

In other business, the commission:

--Voted to hire Pam Spencer of WPSD-TV as a public information officer. She will start Aug. 20.

--Hired another division of JJR to design the transient boat landing dock that is part of the riverfront plan.

They will be paid with part of the $5.3 million in federal funds obtained for the project.

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