Arkansas State Fairgrounds officials are seeking a second installment of promised funding from Little Rock’s sales tax revenue as reimbursement for improvements to the grounds along Roosevelt Road.
The Little Rock Board of Directors agreed Tuesday to consider at its board meeting next week distributing $95,000 to the Arkansas Livestock Show Association, which operates the fairgrounds.
The association already spent that much of its own money to build a decorative retaining wall that replaced a deteriorating one on the west side of Barton Coliseum, to replace the heating-and-air system in the Administration Building, and to improve and repair sewer services at the fairgrounds.
General Manager Ralph Shoptaw sent a letter to the city in March requesting reimbursement for those expenses.
The city has said it will commit $3 million from the2011 citywide sales tax increase to the fairgrounds. The money would be disbursed over the 10-year life of the 1 percent tax increase and would come from the three eighths percent tax portion dedicated to infrastructure and capital improvements.
In October 2012, city directors approved an initial $98,700 for the remodeling of Barton Coliseum - a 26,000-square-foot arena. That money was used to repair lighting, repaint, refinish basketball floors, get new scoreboard controls and help repair restroom roof leaks.
Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola proposed the decade of funding to the fair association as an incentive to keep the Arkansas State Fair in the city after fair officials considered relocating it a few years ago over frustrations with crime near the fairgrounds, space limitations and aging buildings.
After other cities’ offers to woo away the fair fell through, the fair association’s board considered Little Rock’s counter proposal and ultimately voted in 2012 to keep the State Fair in Little Rock.
Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Director Doris Wright said Tuesday that she’s concerned that there is not a signed agreement between the city and the association, adding that she will not support allocating any more tax revenue to the fairgrounds until there is a binding commitment. Also, she wanted to ensure that the association would refund any money the city spent on improving the fairgrounds if the association decides to move the State Fair elsewhere.
City Manager Bruce Moore suggested that directors approve this round of funding, but no more until an agreement is in place. He assured them that fair officials are wrapping up a final draft of their 10-year plan that will show what they have in mind for the remaining $2.8 million promised to them.
Stodola told directors that he has no reservations about the association’s intent to stay in the city.
“I’m fully confident in my conversations with Mr. Shoptaw that the executive committee will be willing to sign an agreement that will extend their physical presence here well beyond the 10 years of this capital revenue stream,” Stodola said.
Reached by phone Tuesday before the city board meeting, Shoptaw said the fair association’s goal is to improve the entire fairgrounds and that it is committed to keeping the State Fair in the capital city. Proof of that commitment, he said, is the work it has put into developing a 10-year plan and paying for an economic impact study - both of which are to be presented to the public in the coming months.
Shoptaw declined to say in detail what the long-term plan includes because it has not been approved by the fair board.
It’s obvious, though, that having the fair here benefits the city, Assistant City Manager Bryan Day said Tuesday before the board meeting.
“The city recognizes the value the fairgrounds brings to the community. It’s a great venue for not only the fair and livestock show, but other events they have out there, too,” Day said. “It’s in a neighborhood that is starting to see some growth and reinvestment, and had they pulled out, that would have created additional challenges for the city, recognizing that there’s a need to keep the fairgrounds there to build momentum in the area.”
Officials have said the initial city funding allocated in 2012 was a key part in booking two basketball championship tournaments at Barton Coliseum last year.
Alan Sims, vice president of sales and services at the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, said by email Tuesday that the bureau is committed to marketing Barton Coliseum and that improvements to the fairgrounds help that effort.
The Big Buck Classic and the Arkansas State Horse Show will take place at the fairgrounds this year and next year. The bureau is in final negotiations with Color in Motion 5K and Color Me Rad for those events to be held there, as well.
The bureau was unsuccessful, however, in securing the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the Arkansas State High School Basketball Championships this year.
Arkansas, Pages 9 on 04/09/2014