THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409090571
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Two days after the Kitty Hawk Board of Commissioners passed a resolution seeking a countywide referendum or polling on the issue of a Dare County convention center, the Manteo Board of Commissioners listened but took no action following a presentation on the facility by local tourism officials.
Dare County tourism board member Warren Judge gave an overview of a feasibility study prepared for the tourism board by the Atlanta-based Finne & Associates.
The primary goal of the facility, according to the study, would be to increase business during the ``shoulder'' seasons (fall and spring), particularly convention trade. The study recommended a 1,000-seat auditorium, a 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot exhibit/ballroom area, and additional meeting space, lobby and kitchen facilities.
While such a facility would generate more than $13 million and 141 new jobs, according to the study, the major issue appears to be how to pay for the proposed center. Costs, excluding land, are projected at $15 million. Also, it is projected that the center would require an annual subsidy of more than $300,000 to meet expenses. According to the study, ``Most civic and convention centers require some operating subsidy.''
``I don't know if it will be the tourism board's place to decide how the facility will be funded,'' Judge said. ``We know ourselves that the tourism board by itself could not cover the financial need.''
Judge said the planned Ice Plant Island project and the proposed center would co-exist as separate entities and ``serve different purposes.''
Currently, eight sites are possible locations for the convention center between Milepost 8 and 11, and Mileposts 14 and 17. Funding for the facility could come from a variety of potential sources, including restaurant taxes, hotel occupancy taxes, ad valorem and sales taxes.
``I think it would be a real asset,'' said Commissioner Lee Tugwell. ``But I don't want it to be a `Let's build a convention center and they will come.' We've got problems with infrastructure. Many of the things that would attract people here during the shoulder season are not here. This study has done a good job of identifying what the problems are.''
In other action, the commission approved a $1,000 contribution
from the town's intangible tax surplus to the Hotline Crisis Intervention Center, to purchase furniture for a temporary shelter in Hotline's new facility.
The commission also approved by a 5-1 vote an agreement between the Dare County municipalities of Manteo, Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills for shared use of a government access channel made available by Falcon Cable.
Commissioner Edward Etheridge cast the lone dissenting vote. He questioned the benefit of the channel to the town.
Mayor Bill Buell also discussed the formation of a Mayor's Advisory Committee. The group, made up of citizens from throughout Manteo and surrounding communities, would help give town leaders a better feel for local problems and increase communication. The panel would have no policy-making authority, Buell said.
However, some members of the commission expressed reservations.
``We're elected by the people to address their concerns,'' said Commissioner Edward Greene. ``I just feel it (the advisory council) would create an extra layer of government.''
Also, the commission approved the award of the contract for improvements on Agona and Gilbert Streets to Robbie Parker Construction Co. of Kitty Hawk.
And finally, the commission will hold a public hearing at its October meeting concerning changes in the town's flood damage prevention ordinance. According to Town Manager Kermit Skinner, the changes are largely definitional, and are not expected to have a major impact on construction in the area.
KEYWORDS: REFERENDUM CONVENTION CENTER PROPOSED by CNB