A&P ready to roll out the blue carpet for bridge opening

A&P ready to roll out the blue carpet for bridge opening

Big River Crossing a major affair for West Memphis

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Advertising and Promotion Commission holds a grand total of $1.668 million dollars now, after three consecutive months of increased revenue.

The year started off up and down the first four months, but A& P collections have rallied, with three straight monthly increases through July.

Year-to-date, the tax has out-performed budget projections by $60,275. July numbers added to the tally, bringing in $7,590 more than the same month last year. The $133,400 in revenue represented a 6.03 percent increase for the month. For the first seven months of 2016, the A& P saw an increase of $54,535, up 6.58 percent from 2015.

Cash-in-bank accounts amounted to $393,873, with certificates of deposit totaling another $1.275 million.

The balance sheet presented at the August A& P Commission meeting revealed, at seven months through the year, total A& P expenses were on track with spending at 57.03 percent of plan. City Treasurer Frank Martin discussed the financial reports in greater detail with commissioners at the meeting.

“It was a a great month,” said Martin. “Year-to-date, we are decent. Year-to-date, we are below our budget on expenses and above budget on revenue. There is nothing bad to report.”

With funds at their disposal, at the commission’s July meeting, commissioners considered projects to promote the city with the increasing assets produced from the city tourism tax.

Projects receiving attention included welcome signs on the levees for inbound traf- A&P

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fic on both Interstates, additional cosmetic improvements in the Eugene Woods Civic Center, and a budget for the Big River Crossing grand opening event, scheduled for this fall. The possibility of funding a new multi-purpose arena made the agenda but was not formally discussed.

The commission asked City Engineer Phillip Sorrell to prepare a request for qualifications to attract potential bidders for the remaining facelift to the civic center and gave Tourism Director Jim Jackson the green light to take the next steps on welcome signs.

Jackson then asked for funds to produce a Big River Crossing grand opening for the Harahan Bridge boardwalk, slated to open Oct. 22. Cost items listed for events for the big day included ribbon cutting ceremonies with the governors of both Arkansas and Tennessee, a VIP riverboat luncheon, evening fireworks and live music.

“A little after 7 p.m.

they’ll have the lighting ceremony on the bridge, followed by the fireworks display” said Jackson, “They would like us to handle the fireworks because of compliments they’ve received on our Freedom Fest. They need a caterer and a tent on the Arkansas side for the governors.”

In the tradition of the Delta, blues music forms the theme of the day, with “Bridging the Blues” as the slogan. Blues will be played on both sides of the bridge, according to Jackson.

“We have plenty of money in ‘Special Events,’” said Jackson.

The tourism department’s special events budget stood at $168,000, with funds already earmarked for Christmas in the city at $50,000.

“I’d like to get a big-name blues artist and really run with Memphis on this,” said Jackson.

“It’s a big deal with our Governor coming,” said A& P Commissioner, Councilwoman Ramona Taylor.

“This is an opportunity for us to look really good.

Could we authorize up to $50,000?”

The A& P capped the grand opening budget for that amount, giving unanimous approval with a voice vote.

By John Rech