Site Suggested for Convention Center
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Hinting at future proposals, Councilman Steve Bennett is suggesting the city look at converting the top floor of the beachfront Holiday Inn parking structure into a convention center.
“I think the parking structure next to the Holiday Inn is an eyesore, and underutilized,” Bennett said.
He floated his proposal at Monday night’s council meeting, and by Wednesday he said he was talking to community members to drum up support. He said he would be interested in anything that would use the top floor of the structure and take advantage of the spectacular view.
“Anything that would cost only $3 million as opposed to $10 million I would be interested in,” Bennett said, alluding to $9 million set aside more than a decade ago to build a convention center at the fairgrounds. That money now sits in a holding account until the council decides what to do with it.
The initial proposal drew no reaction from other council members.
Bennett said Wednesday his proposal could face opposition from fairgrounds operators, who see the money as belonging to them. In any case, he said his proposal at least merits study.
He plans to bring a formal proposal to the council before June 16, when the 1997-98 budget is scheduled to be adopted.
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