At the Oct. 10 city council meeting, alderman James DeVito read a document stating the position of the City Advertising and Promotion Commission regarding its continued promotional obligation to the Auditorium if the one percent tax passes on Nov. 8. DeVito also sits on the CAPC. He emphasized that tax revenue of as much as $275,000 would be administered by a newly formed Auditorium Commission comprised of qualified citizens, and none of the money would go to the CAPC.
The CAPC plan is to continue to provide $110,000 in financial support for acts at the Auditorium each year for the first three years. For years four to six, the amount will be $55,000. The CAPC expects the Auditorium to be self-sustaining by the seventh year of the tax.
The document included a page of “Additional Requirements” with details about how the CAPC and new commission would work together, but the final entry on the page stated, “CAPC shall develop a plan for a long-term parking facility in downtown Eureka Springs, AR., to assist The AUD & downtown parking limitations.”
DeVito stated the city saw a dramatic upswing in tourism numbers in 2012 after Mike Maloney was hired as executive director at the CAPC, and each succeeding year has shown an increase. Since the CAPC will be moving out of the business of running the Auditorium it is time to bring up the parking garage idea again, and he said the project would be funded by a municipal bond and supplemented by the CAPC, and available parking near the Auditorium would enhance the ability to attract promoters.
Alderman David Mitchell noted DeVito’s document and the commitment it included was important for voters to hear because of what Mitchell called a swell of opposition in town toward how the CAPC spends its money. He added, however, regarding the garage idea that the CAPC was “really stepping up to the plate… that’s big.”
Alderman Mickey Schneider said she has wanted a parking garage for years because tourists need it and it could generate “a huge cash flow.”
Mayor Butch Berry mentioned the one percent tax would allow the Auditorium Commission to set up reserves for meeting the matches required in some grants, and begin long-range renovations including fixing up the basement so it can be a versatile venue again. He commended the CAPC for preparing its presentation. “It’s a good start,” he said.