University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart speaks to members of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission Monday afternoon inside a conference room at the Fayetteville Town Center.
Photo: Todd Gill, Flyer staff
Members of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission on Monday voted to contribute $500,000 to the University of Arkansas to help with construction costs of a planned 700-seat performing arts hall.
UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart in July asked the commission for $1 million to put toward the estimated $17 million project.
UA officials plan to renovate the Old Field House building into a state-of-the-art concert hall.
Photo: Todd Gill
Had commissioners agreed to that original request, it would’ve been the largest single contribution ever made to a special project. In 2003, the commission put $500,000 toward a $1 million project to revitalize the Fayetteville downtown square. The group last year agreed to a half-million-dollar pledge to the Walton Arts Center to renovate the Arkansas Music Pavilion, but that money was not donated since the project never came to fruition.
Commissioner Hannah Mills questioned whether the commission would benefit directly from helping build the new concert hall. “I’m not sure I can justify a $1 million donation for something I’m not sure is going to put heads in beds,” said Mills.
The group has been using hospitality tax dollars to draw visitors to Fayetteville since it was created in March 1977.
Renderings, from Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, show the interior of a planned 700-seat performing arts hall to be built inside the old Field House building on the University of Arkansas campus.
Staff photo, courtesy images
Gearhart reminded commissioners that the new facility would allow the university to host approximately 40 large ensemble performances each year that could result in a major boost in visitors to the city.
The UA’s Center for Business and Economic Research estimates an annual attendance of 28,000 people during those 40 events which would account for an increase of at least $298,000 and up to $1.9 million in visitor spending each year.
“We do believe it will bring more people into Fayetteville and more money into Fayetteville,” Gearhart said. “We think there’s no question about that.”
Gearhart said the venue would also be made available to Fayetteville as an additional facility for hosting events not directly affiliated with the university, when scheduling allows.
Commissioner Justin Tennant, who also serves as an alderman in Ward 3, called Gearhart’s request a “very unique ask.”
“Is there really going to be a return on investment when you look at just the building by itself?” asked Tennant. “My first reaction is no. I don’t think there’s specific enough things about it to say, ‘absolutely.’”
Jim and Joyce Faulkner (right) recently committed $6 million to the project.
Photo: Todd Gill
Tennant, however, said in looking from a macro level at what the university brings to city, he believed a contribution of some kind was in order.
Tax figures have shown that the university has a significant annual impact on the city’s economy. Razorback home football games last year are estimated to have brought in $49,526,694 and the UA campus food service provider Chartwell’s is the largest single HMR tax contributor.
“I think that we need to be responsive to our stakeholders who have a direct impact on our ongoing economy,” said commissioner (and Ward 3 alderman) Bobby Ferrell. “This stakeholder here is the largest economic driver in this community. That affects the arts, it affects business, it affects government, it affects everything.”
Marilyn Heifner said she felt a $500,000 contribution would be more appropriate, and would leave more money for other potential projects including an expected request from the Walton Arts Center for help with a planned expansion of the center’s Dickson Street campus.
The group voted unanimously to approve a half-million-dollar pledge. The money will come from nearly $2 million in A&P reserves and will be given in two $250,000 payments next year.
Gearhart thanked the group and said construction of the hall is scheduled to begin in August 2013. He said he expected the work to take about 18 months to complete.
We really should consider renaming this commission at this point…
Unbelievable.
Oh, it’s believable. As you may recall, HMR tax revenues were used to pay for the UA Center for Continuing Education (CCE) building located on the Fayetteville Square. Twenty-plus years later – after all the CCE bonds were paid off – the CCE building was GIVEN to the University of Arkansas.
If you don’t like it BOYCOTT the board members businesses!
Excellent advice.
LET”s BOYCOTT! Below is a list of current A&P members and their businesses.
Café Rue Orleans (Maude Schmitt)
Eason Insurance (Bob Davis)
Formosa Chinese Restaurant (Ching Mong)
Ella’s Restaurant (William T. Lyle)
Dickson Street Inn (Hannah Mills)
Cisco Systems & Fayetteville City Council (Justin Tennant)
AARP (Bobby Ferrell, retired)
Or alternatively, go to http://yelp.com or http://tripadvisor.com and leave a bad review.
Sabotaging their businesses by writing slanderous reviews is not cool.
Nope. That’s not cool at all. You can attend a meeting.you can email them your opinion on certain decisions. But don’t discourage people from participating in their civic duty, whether you agree with them or not, by threatening their livelihood. That s$&t ain’t right.
Quite sorry to see them going down this road. The statement “I think that we need to be responsive to our stakeholders who have a direct impact on our ongoing economy,” is particularly unpalatable to me. Seriously? You are equating the potential gain of a 700 seat auditorium with that of Razorback football games? That is beyond absurd.
Reminds me of religious fanatics making offerings to god, just because he’s so awesome. Grow a backbone! That money could’ve actually made a difference in this city.
The university doesn’t use the WAC because it’s too difficult to coordinate schedules. Do you think the city will EVER be able to negotiate use of this facility? Doubtful.
This is not what A&P taxes are collected to do! In its description on the city website, it’s about advertising and promoting. But also construction and development of PUBLIC recreation facilities. This performing arts center is not advertising or promoting our city. The “heads in beds” concept is not what A&P is about. Neither is a direct return in HMR taxes. It’s about funding events and projects that improve our quality of life (as a city, not as a campus!), that have no other sources for funding. Improving the quality of life in our neighborhood (last night, little craft show, block street block party) draws more people to live and visit in our area. in my mind, A&P needs a clean slate, clean commission, and a new director. How do we know how productive and active A&P could really be when we have only had one person steering it for 20 years? we need someone young and progressive, with a fresh look on the potential of this town. Someone who doesn’t have old school ties with the university, the city offices, and the chamber. And someone who actually lives in Fayetteville.
Well said BW! Couldn’t agree more.
I suppose you forgot the University is a Public entity.
Technically, you’re right. It’s a State Institution. But it’s not a CITY Public Space.
A&P is out of control….We Need New Leadership…
Hope they at least sent the residents some Vaseline. When are y’all gonna do something to stop this?
How do we revolt? It seems that the city is the only check and balance to dissolve the commission. and I don’t want it dissolved! I want it led properly.
Dissolve! Dissolve! Kill the HMR tax and be done with all of this nonsense.
No Way! Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! I Want Last Night in Downtown Fayetteville. I want Theatre Squared to survive. I want Little Craft Show. I love and appreciate the rehauling of the Square that A&P funds paid for. That 2% tax (2$ on every $100 you drop eating out!) is needed in this community. Let’s have a new director, someone new to “recommend” how to allocate those funds. The current director is out of touch. And playing favorites, and nominating sheep on her commission who nod their heads and don’t discuss things. Keep A&P. Make it better.
Well said. The commission has the potential to do great things. But there needs to be stricter rules in place so that decisions like these can never be made. Let’s face it, as good a friend as the UofA is, this is wasted money because the UofA didn’t need it.
well, that was obvious from the beginning! You and I both know that. I am shocked that Tennant and mills seemed like they weren’t buying it, then it was unanimously approved. I’m shocked that most of them approved it, actually. $500,000 would be a hefty down payment on the OPO, even if it is overpriced. Some kind of City entity needs to buy it. Nobody else will ever make it in there. It blows my mind that the president of the Chamber of Commerce also thinks there should be annual allocations for UofA. These people are cray cray if they think they are representing the community of Fayetteville. I may as well move to Bentonville now, where property owners and city money are paying someone who actually does something interesting to advertise and promote their city.
So glad that every hard working person in Fayetteville who wants to go out for a bite to eat is forced to contribute to build a new facility for the elites. It will help offset the recently missing 3 million missing dollars that the university Advancement division spent on steak dinners and private planes.
There are recent examples of funds well used in manners that benefit the entire community that were mentioned previously. The tax and commission do not need to be dissolved, but the leadership and commission need to be changed over to people with a proven commitment to bettering Fayetteville for all.
I strongly disagree with this decision as well as a couple of the decisions from the recent list of events the A&P contributed money to. We should not be giving away money to our friends for already fully funded projects. I will gladly actively help in any way to fix this commission.
I’m very disappointed in Justin Tennant and Bobby Ferrell. And I’m glad they aren’t my representatives. Both of their quotes are completely embarrassing.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. We aren’t collecting tax payer money to make donations to our friends. The commission should be under strict orders to consider only 2 questions:
1) First and foremost, does the project/event actually NEED our money in order to take place, or will it happen with or without our money?
2) If the project/event actually needs our money to take place — do we deem it something that will improve Fayetteville or increase tourism.
The answer to no. 1 is NO. The UA project was not contingent in anyway on the A&P’s donation.
I thought it was supposed to be a fund whereby the City would be Advertised and Promoted.
It seems that the philosophy of the Commission has gone from being a ‘seed money’ source for start-ups to being a ‘reward fund’ for those that are already bringing in people. Look at the types of events that get most of the funding.
If you really want to make a change, you have to get enough people together and really make it an issue for your City Council. They are the ones that ultimately ‘approve’ the Commissioners.
jmo
“The UA’s Center for Business and Economic Research estimates an annual attendance of 28,000 people during those 40 events which would account for an increase of at least $298,000 and up to $1.9 million in visitor spending each year.”
Moses smell the roses!
The UofA predicts a sellout crowd for every performance! Remarkable!
An average of $10 to $70 in per-vistor spending! Now, those are numbers you can bank on!
Gather up all those pig sculptures, name them for the members of the A&P plus the biggest bright red one named UofA, and show them feasting at a trough filled with taxpayer cash.
Unlike the WAC or the AMP, the University of Arkansas can’t pick up and move to Bentonville. Why did the A&P let the University bully the members into forking over this massive sum of money.
If the University plans on building this performing arts center, those guests would have to eat and sleep in Fayetteville anyway. They’re not staying in Greenland!
The promise of being able to hold non-UA events there sometimes, “schedule permitting” is laughable.
Arkansans support the University in so many ways, and Fayetteville residents especially. Infrastructure to the University, water service, fire department service, roads… all paid for by Fayetteville residents. I can’t believe the A&P capitulated.
I can believe they capitulated. There was never any doubt. In fact, they backed off from the $1 million when people raised a stink, then let the uproar die down a bit and then did what everyone who’s watched this band of _______ do what we knew they would always do.
There were no surprises at the meeting. The $500,000 donation appeared to be a done deal. In the end, there wasn’t much discussion and the chancellor left happy.
Boycott and bad reviews? Lol. Are you for real? Seek anger management ASAP. These are LOCAL businesses. How about YOU donate your time to the commission Mr. Business as usual. Pathetic.
Boycott is called for. Bad reviews are not. Support what you believe and trust. Ignore and obstain from what you dont.
I never post but these comments have gone from baseless arguments (harmless. Useless, but harmless) to threats of outright slander—FYI generally something you can be sued for.
Biz as Usual, how about you tell us where you work so those of us who aren’t idiotic malcontents can judge whether to do business with you or uour employers based on your apparent willingness to slander people with whom you don’t agree. Better yet, help us connect the dots so these business owners can rightfully sue you for slander. THAT would be awesome.
As for the rest of you…hate to bring logic into your argument…but Johnny Taxpayer isn’t necessarily footing this ‘bill’ as you keep trying to characterize it as. The vendors at the UoA pay the Lions’ share if the HMR tax. Look it up, it’s a fact. And who does the most business with these vendors? Students, UoA staff, parents, and Razorback fans. So stop the act as if this is coming directly out of your pocket everything you stuff your face at Red Lobster…it’s not—you are overstating your own importance frankly.
Also, how many of you have ever met any of these people in person? How many of these commission meetings have you attended? Have you ever considered that you could actually voice your opinion directly to them? These meetings are open to the public ya know. Or is it easier to slander and cast stones from the relative safety of the Internet?
Before we go throwing around legalese which we have zero understanding of… Two of the integral pieces of a slander tort at falsity and malice. While you can certainly prove malice, you may have a much more difficult time proving falsehood. For example, one could go post on Yelp that Cafe Rue Orleans has a terrible bread pudding. Proving that to be false would be impossible.
NB: Their white chocolate bread pudding is the stuff dreams are made of and I miss it dearly since I have been boycotting all A&P-related businesses due to their support of BBBBBBBBBBBBBBQ.
Further, it’s pretty gross to threaten people with lawsuits because they happen to disagree with a public decision. Next, it’s false to assume that those students, staff, parents and Razorback fans aren’t Fayetteville residents who oppose this.
Lastly, facts. Vendors at the U of A have the biggest *single* contribution to HMR tax, but, since you mentioned Red Lobster, Red Lobster and Olive Garden alone contribute more than Chartwells.
The A&P exists to further the interests of business owners, not of Fayetteville or its residents. Let’s just call it what it is. For the A&P to pretend to contribute money out of altruism or for the benefit of a greater Fayetteville is just silly at this point.
And yes, before you ask, I volunteer my time with several local charities, so no need to accuse me of sitting around and not contributing to society. Although I do enjoy Red Lobster AND face stuffing.
Can you site your knowlege of Chartwells contributing LESS than Red Lobster and Olive Garden? Or is this general knowledge stuff and we are all cattle?
Interesting point tho.
According to tax receipts, Chartwell’s is at $46,648 so far this year. Olive Garden is at $33,547 and Red Lobster is at $27,529.
2011 HMR receipts (PDF here):
Chartwell’s ($47,046), Olive Garden ($36,001), Red Lobster ($29,859)
2010 HMR receipts (PDF here):
Chartwell’s ($42,307), Olive Garden ($36,182), Red Lobster ($28,517)
Todd, Red Lobster AND Olive Garden alone. I guess I should have capitalized the AND. This makes my comment accurate. In any case, I was responding to the grossly inaccurate comment that Chartwell’s contributes the bulk of our HMR tax, when they are surpassed by just two of our local restaurants.
I read it as Red Lobster and Olive Garden combined.
I see. You meant “combined,” but I read it as “each alone.”
I pulled the Top 10 from 2011 if anyone is interested:
Restaurants
1. Chartwell’s – $47,046
2. Chick-Fil-A on College – $37,037
3. Olive Garden – $36,001
4. Chick-Fil-A on MLK – $29,997
5. Red Lobster – $29,859
*
6. McDonald’s on Joyce – $27,899
7. Golden Corral – $27,842
8. Logan’s Roadhouse – $26,999
9. Shogun – $26,834
10. Catfish Hole – $24,708
* Penguin Ed’s is listed at $28,874, but that appears to be all three locations combined.
Hotels and motels
1. Courtyard by Marriott – $27,559
2. Inn at Carnall Hall – $20,864
3. Hampton Inn – $19,760
4. Staybridge Suites – $19,633
5. Homewood Suites – $18,366
6. Holiday Inn Express – $16,825
7. Clarion Inn* – $16,500
8. Cosmopolitan** – $13,279
9. Fairfield Inn – $10,125
10. Best Western – $9,388
* Clarion is now a GuestHouse Inn and Suites
** Cosmopolitan is now The Chancellor
Technically both Olive Garden and Red Lobster are owned by the same company, Darden Restaurants. Just to muddy the waters a little more.
That would be much more convenient for me to do if they had to post their agendas publicly ahead of time as they do on other commissions. If I’d have known this one was on their agenda for this months meeting, I’d probably have attended.
We publish many agendas ahead of time (A&P included) in our weekly public meetings posts (under News & Views) for those who are interested. We usually receive A&P agendas the week before the meeting.
Here’s the most recent public meetings post.
I assumed A&P didn’t have to, because they weren’t a city entity. Do they allow public input at their meetings? I’ll watch better. Thanks, Todd!
No problem. FYI, the A&P by-laws require posting the agenda no later than five days before each meeting. See item No. 9 in the Policy for Open and Responsive Operation.
Logic, your fact is not a fact, nor is it logical. Being the largest single contributor does NOT equal “paying the lions share.”. Furthermore, you are trying to make the point that a large portion of this money comes from out of towners. Duh! That’s kind of the point. “H” stands for hotel. “M” stands for Motel. “R” stands for restaurant. It’s a tax on visitors. Further yet, this money is not a prize for doing well. To say that the single largest contributor should get a half million dollars is completely illogical. They are doing great, better than anyone! they don’t need it! And they don’t deserve a refund! It’s OUR money because we taxed those visitors fair and square. Those of us who “overstate our importance” are the ones who make this town a place that people want to visit.
Chartwell is also a private company contracted by the UofA. They’re not the same thing.
Residents pay the majority of the restaurant part of the hmr tax. We’re the repeat customers and the ones stuck with this tax.
Support blarrgh! Boycott [il]Logic!
So if I’m correct, City Council does have some oversight of the commission to the degree that they “approve” new commission members, correct? So, while it could be beneficial to contact the commission board members individually it would also be fair to approach the City Council members on the issue pertaining to who the approve in the future and making the best decision for this community? Right? If so, I will in the near furute provide a list of contacts for both the commission members and council members for everyone to do so.
Thanks Dylan. I will certainly be contacting my alderman and the mayor. I don’t see any use in contacting the commissioners as they are the ones I want replaced if they are easily coerced into these types of decisions. I can’t believe this decision was unanimous. Anyone with common sense and objectivity, and anyone that puts Fayetteville first, should see that making a $500,000 gift from taxes to an entitity that needs no money and, even worse, for an already fully funded project is borderline criminal. It’s completely irrelevant how many people come to Razorback games, because they are going to come anyway. This tax isn’t supposed to fund awards for success. Maybe next we should give Wal-Mart $500,000 to help fund their shareholders meeting. That clearly violates the spirt of the commission. If we don’t change the rules they have to follow then we should at least have people in the commission that will do the right thing.
Ryan, your refusal to contact any of the commissioners is pathetic. Have you ever tried to contact them in the past? Is this comment string (looks to be about a dozen people) your only involvement in this matter? Get up and do something about it. Want some examples of how others got involved?
I am doing something about it. Prior to this decision, I wasn’t aware how untrustworthy the committee’s decision making was. Obviously I realize now that I will need to contact the commission the next time a blatantly undeserving request of $1million is made (who knew?). Of course I would feel more comfortable if I could just trust them to make the right decisions. In the meantime, this was a very large and unanimous wrong decision. I’ll contact the mayor and my alderman, because it seems that the city council is responsible for the checks and balances in this situation. And hopefully eventually there will be stricter guidelines for the committee like I’ve mentioned before.
Yes, please tell us how other community members voiced their oppinion to the A&P commission only to proceed in the opposite direction…
Home football games bring in over 49 MILLION DOLLARS. It’s ridiculous that A&P is giving half a million to an entity that generates that much income off a sports program. They obviously can take care of their own. Meanwhile people who have great ideas are denied funding. It’s obvious and discouraging to citizens. This little dot of blue-purple in arkansas red is an odd place. It seems like the mission and ideals are there, but there’s a lack of follow through.
Lets focus on making the new Dickson Street Market in the WAC lot (or name it after the spring it covers) a reality. Event space, and something that will be more useful to residents year round when festies aren’t here.
A winter market on Dickson (when it needs to be in a pavillion w/ heat) and while the Square has its lights on to draw visitors.
A place for festival vendors to rent, and also a cool, shady spot to enjoy food truck wares during the summertime.
A our version of this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oXR1mfYp1Y/T748Qr59jTI/AAAAAAAAEeE/xSJjDrfE82w/s1600/NOLAmarket.jpg
Maybe based on architecture of this:
http://www.fayettevillehistory.com/photos/ua_bldgs/buchanans.jpg
That will behave like this:
http://kmkildea.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/mainmkt.jpg
Food Trucks, market space, festival space, and cool “Fayetteville” landmark.
And here’s a picture of a food truck pavilion in use. Permit the trucks for a fee to set up adjacent to the city owned pavilion: http://sf.eater.com/uploads/SoMa%20Streat%20Food%20Park%20Pavillion.jpg
And here’s a pic of Latrobe Park, adjacent to the French Market in New Orleans…small, beautiful, high-use park.
http://www.pps.org/graphics/gpp/Latrobe_Park_2_large
I definitely like where you are going with this brainstorming. Money put towards a large park on dickson street that could serve as a location for outdoor performances/outdoor ice rink/christmas markets/farmer’s market/a little green space just to make the city nicer. The city and anyone with power should fight to make it happen. The positives are mind-boggling for the community and include the money made from vendors. With the parking deck we certainly won’t need that parking lot. My only fear is those in charge will waste the opportunity and let someone build condos or something along those lines.
The possibilities for that space is really very great and obviously that is the type of thing that will make Fayetteville better and more attractive. Those are the types of goals people with any sort of power should have, not rewarding our friends with huge hunks of unneeded money.
Thanks. The cry has recently gone up that we can’t remove the WAC lot because its our “festival lot”. There are ways we can have that space available for festivals, and also be an attractive, “heads in beds” driver for Fayetteville year round. A market pavilion and associated park could really add an attractive element to our downtown area, as well as maintaining (and upgrading) the possibilities for festival use.
In the summer when the market isn’t there, its primarily a food truck pavilion.
When festivals are in town, its used to set up festival vendors partially under a roof, which helps in the case of bad weather. In other times, it can be used for craft shows, art exhibits, etc. The Dickson Street Market could become the most dynamic venue in town. Incorporate a pocket park with a band-shell, and our street musicians would keep it occupied.
Maybe even build it with two permanent storefronts facing Dickson, for a coffee shop or small eateries, like Cafe DuMonde in New Orleans…. A&P needs to be working with the city to find creative ways to invest in Fayetteville and fulfill their mission, not just sitting waiting for someone to ask them for a million dollars.
And I used the old “Buck Hall” as an example, because that architecture is what the university used to create before it went gothic/modern. It is reflected in our historic court house, which was built around the same time as many of our old university buildings which were later torn down. It also reminds me of New Orleans and Jackson Square, as well as the Wilson Park castle. A nice broad pavilion with an exposed-beam ceiling, and steep pitched roof peaks on top to echo the old architecture, and balance the coming modern architecture of the WAC expansion. Something really bad-ass that future city marketing people can’t resist putting on their brochures promoting Fayetteville.
Moving the Market from the square would kill all the recent growth on the Square and Block and Center. I feel like the square should remain the center of downtown. Are you talking about moving the Farmer’s Market?
No. I’m only suggesting that Dickson be the home of a winter market, while the Square has the Lights.
A market building has many potential uses.
Dont forget about Maryln Heifner almost going to jail because of breaking freedom of information act by hiding the bidding process for a building on the town square. How does she still have this job?
glutenfree has provided some good information here. I would balk at building any kind of historicist structures, as this area has a more suitable, relatively timeless aesthetic to offer. There is plenty of room on the WAC lot to accommodate a multipurpose market building, band shell with dedicated audience space, food truck court, and a nicely-planted strolling/sitting park– all nicely deployed so as to facilitate individual and interrelated function.
A couple of examples from Barcelona:
Parc Guell (cited in comments in earlier threads)
http://www.barcelonayellow.com/bcn-photos/80-pictures-parc-guell
La Boqueria (one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen)
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/tour/barcelona-city-centre/guide-la-boqueria-barcelona.html
Perhaps even a bit of Las Ramblas (sort of an open-air mall, accommodating pedestrian and vehicular traffic)
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/albums-en/ramblas/