City & County Officials Make Recommendations to ERC in Hotel Process

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Friend and Melcher Say “Do it Right This Time”

The fanfare of opening and reading into the records the fact that two companies (Kunkel and Prime Lodging) responded to the RFP to build and operate a downtown hotel adjacent to the new Arena and the Centre were followed by admonishments for the Evansville Redevelopment to do a complete job this time with respect to both the construction and the financial vetting process.

Vanderburgh County Commissioner Stephen Melcher spoke first regarding the need for a system of walk-bridges that connects the Centre, the new Arena, and hopefully a new hotel. Citing his 17 years of experience as an Evansville City Councilman and 3 years as a County Commissioner, Melcher invoked his knowledge learned by the late Bob Green in his efforts to support conventions and the Executive Inn. Of particular note was Commissioner Melcher’s advice to the ERC that they have an opportunity to do this right the first time. Melcher expressed the belief that underground tunnels were not the right solution but that a T-Shaped sky-bridge connection the three facilities would be perfect.

It was also noted that some damage has been sustained to the existing $3 Million sky-bridge that connected the Centre to the former Executive Inn. It is not believed that either proposal submitted today is inclusive of sky-bridges.

Following Commissioner Melcher to the lectern was Evansville City Councilman, Finance Committee Chairman, and CPA John Friend. Mr. Friend reminded the ERC of the failures of the previous choices to find financing and suggested that a third party vetting firm be hired to conduct a thorough financial, liability, and technical vetting process on both proposals. Councilman Friend further recommended that a committee of local elected officials consisting of himself, Councilman Curt John, Councilman Dan McGinn, Vanderburgh County Councilman Russ Lloyd Jr., and appointed ERC Commissioner Greg Elpers be formed to hire and vet the vetting vendor.

Councilman Friend furthermore suggested than the performance bond that was retained by the ERC from previous defaulting developers could be tapped to pay for the vetting process. It has not been established that such a bond was ever posted or retained.

The recommendations of both elected officials were “so noted” by Bob Goldman, the President of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. And the curtain goes up on act three! (screams are still heard from the side-show horror ride) 🙂

  2. “Councilman Friend furthermore suggested than the performance bond that was retained by the ERC from previous defaulting developers could be tapped to pay for the vetting process. It has not been established that such a bond was ever posted or retained.”

    Good idea, Councilman Friend. But somebody explain how ERC, I’m assuming the board was in attendance, how is it no one knows if a bid bond or performance bond was ever posted, and whether all or part of it was retained when the bidder defaulted?

  3. “The fanfare of opening and reading into the records” the names of the two bidders was really quite laughable as the Redevelopment Commission’s attorney studiously opened each box and looked in to announce the bidders name. Information that the ERC had obviously already informed the news media of in time for it to make this morning’s Evansville Courier&Press.

    Commission Chairman Bob Goldman did have the common courtesy to move the opening of the hotel bids from the end of agenda items to up towards the top, so as not to keep the high paid hired guns in the audience hanging around any longer than necessary. Not sure who MD was there for, but he left after the bids were announced. Ben Kunkel stayed for the entire meeting.

    The bid proposals will now go to the EVANSVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION for vetting. That commission, according to member Ted Ubelhor, meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 2:30pm in the EVSC Administration building behind the Civic Center. That would make the next meeting on the 27th of this month.

    Things are looking promising for restoration of the exterior of the old Greyhound Bus Terminal along with clearing most of the interior space in an effort to make it more suitable for lease/build out.

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    • Press, did someone get nauseated by the entire proceeding ? Is that why they had an MD present ?

  4. An observation: I have attended many ERC public meetings over the years and a couple of things stand out as consistent and unprofessional, in my opinion.

    There are never any name plates on display for the various commission members, although places for their display are available at each position where the members sit.

    The sound system has never been loud enough for people in the audience to comfortably and consistently understand what is being said.

    Those are two easy fixes that have been ignored for some reason, the correction of which would make for a more professional appearing commission.

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