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Contact: Susette Hunter
BJCC expansion supporters renew effort to sway public
Date: October 19, 2006
Backers of an expansion of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex are embarking on a
new public campaign to win support for the $623 million project.
This new effort, which carefully sidesteps the word “dome” and focuses on the economic benefits
of a larger BJCC, will begin Friday at a monthly meeting of Jefferson County lawmakers.
BJCC Executive Director Jack Fields and Jim Smither, president of the Birmingham Convention
and Visitors Bureau, are to speak on the topic “How Do We Keep the Birmingham-Jefferson
Convention Complex Competitive?” at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Gardendale Civic Center.
It is the first time the BJCC has been the topic since State Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills,
began organizing the monthly meetings a year ago so that city, county and state politicians can
discuss issues that advance the region.
“We are not using the word ‘dome,’” Fields said of the stadium proposal that has galvanized
opponents. “Friday will be an important step in showing the importance of the convention and
meetings industry in this community.”
Waggoner said that with cities throughout the nation expanding their venues, it is important for
area politicians to address how the BJCC compares in attracting conventions and trade shows
“and the ramifications of not being able to compete.”
In an e-mail, he asked attendees to please avoid the “dome” issue. He wrote: “The discussion of
this meeting is to address the present need of the BJCC to remain competitive in an aggressively
growing convention and trade show market.”
Clyde Echols, board chairman of the BJCC, acknowledged that backers have done a poor job
explaining to the public the urgency of expanding facilities. He said the complex plans “to shift our
gears” in its marketing by explaining the economic benefits of the BJCC.
“If we don’t do something now to expand this complex, there’ll come a time when top-tier concerts
like Kenny Chesney and George Strait skip Birmingham and go only to places with larger venues
like Atlanta or Nashville,” he said.
Last month, Fields released a report that listed 13 cities building new facilities and another 17 that
are expanding. By expanding, the BJCC would be able to handle 70 percent of the top national
meetings, up from 30 percent now, he said.
The BJCC’s eight-year expansion effort stalled this summer because backers don’t have enough
votes on the Jefferson County Commission to extend the county’s $10 million annual
contributions to the complex beyond 2008.
Those funds are crucial for BJCC to float bonds to pay for the project.
Fields said as of October, the expansion would cost $623 million, down $1.5 million from earlier
projections because the BJCC has paid off some existing debt.
Source:
The Birmingham News
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