Worsham Watkins' Pie in the Sky
Since the very first convention I ever attended (at the Andrew Johnson, in Knoxville, in 1937 or '38), I've attended scores of others, of all sizes, of many organizations, held at many, many venues.
For five or six years, it was my responsibility to choose the place where a middle-sized organization should hold its convention (aka "annual meeting"). I visited a lot of places to inspect them.
Except for three of all those hundred or so, the convention was held in a hotel, or immediately adjacent to one. The three exceptions were held at colleges (e.g., Bryn Mawr) or universities (Penn State, U. Chicago), which offered dormitories.
Huge organizations, where over a couple of thousand attendees are expected, also hold meetings in hotels adjacent to the headquarters hotel, where the major meetings are held.
Knoxville is headed for an economic (as well as public relations and political) adversity if it goes along with the Worsham Watkins Plan, which is based on a pie-in-the-sky, imagined "10-screen-multiplex-theater" and "Marriott Hotel" (who'll put up the money?).
Knoxville financial investment in the accoutrements of its well-designed convention center should be limited to (1) the construction of several low-charge parking structures; (2) tax, zoning, and other relief to those who will work to restore Gay Street and Market Square to full tenancy; (3) the conversion of empty lofts, former furniture stores and the like to livable, safe condominiums and (4) a vigorous effort to ensure that the Holiday Inn Downtown will be expanded to an adequate number of affordable rooms, as close as possible to the convention center.
Yes, an overpass enabling the Hilton and the Radisson to absorb overflow from the hotel adjacent to the convention center does not require the initial cost or upkeep that the WW dream would require!
Why has only WW advised us?
Oct. 24's News-Sentinel gave the figures: $160 million of the city's money for the Convention Center and essential adjustments, and the WW requested additional $130 million for "infrastructure improvements" to complement the pie-in-the-sky "private investment" of $310 million.
What if we give a party, and nobody comes? What if the convention center attracts few conventions?
How much development could that extra $130 million promote if it were devoted to direct support to the improvement of existing facilities in Market Square and on Gay Street? To tax relief and grants to enable condos to be constructed in empty buildings?
Would private investment be more likely to expand an existing hotel adjacent to the convention center than to build another, a 10- or 15-minute walk away from the place where the convention is held?
Do we really need condos on 13th Street rather than on Gay Street?
William S. Verplanck
Knoxville
Let Us on Boyd Island and We'll Behave
It was interesting to note the mealy-mouthed response the UT officials gave with regards to spraying of pesticides/herbicides on Boyd Island ["Citybeat," Metro Pulse, Oct. 19]. This issue was first raised when members of Town Hall East inquired about the possibility of allowing folks access to the island as an addition to the adjacent Holston River Park.
UT officials said the area could not be released for public access because experimental chemicals had been tested there. It seems their story has now changed and the chemical usage is no more than a little Round-Up sprayed here and there.
Fantastic! If the area is limited in size, scope and toxicity, and amounts to less than used by the typical suburbanite, let's get back to our original request. Can Boyd Island be accessed by the taxpayers that support the university?
I appreciate that UT maintains quiet, riverfront farmland throughout our area and keeps it away from the developers. The Boyd Island area is especially scenic and supports a great blue heron rookery, wild turkey, even a stray beaver or two. What I do not understand is why this area and the other like holdings in South Knoxville are posted with "No Trespassing" signs.
OK, we'll stay away from the cattle and avoid the odd experimental chemical application areas. Just give us access (i.e. greenways) and we'll behave.
James Wedekind
Knoxville
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