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Mr. Darden Towe of Davis Avenue and a downtown businessman, urged <br /> Council and the Authority to proceed with the project which he felt would <br /> be a welcome addition to the Charlottesville. area. <br /> <br /> Mrs. Ann Spence of 500 Court Square, .strongly supported the project. <br /> She stated that she attends many conferences with her husband and pre.fers <br /> 'being able to walk to shopping areas and restaurants rather than driving <br /> in unfamiliar cities~. She stressed that the conference center would draw <br /> many people £or that reasons. <br /> <br /> Mr. Craig Redinger, developer of Central Place on the downtown mall, <br /> stated that he supported the project and encouraged Council and the Authority <br /> to move quickly on it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brian Bowden, a property 'owner on the doWntown mall, added his <br /> support of the project and stated he hope.d that evening shopping hours <br /> downtown would be revitalized as a'result. <br /> <br /> Ms. Kennedy Smith, Executive Director Of Downtown Charlottesville, Inc., <br /> stated that many requests for walking tours downtown were being received, <br /> the sales volume had increased 13% in one year 'in the downtown area, and <br /> fewer crimes were reported downtown than in other areas of the City. She <br /> said she thought the hotel/conference center would provide a strong base <br /> and would become a pivotal element in the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Sei.dler of Hessian Road, asked if the right questions had <br /> <br /> been addressed concerning the project. He questioned the small percentage <br /> of financing provided by the developer, who would bear the cost if there was <br /> a cost overrun, and the short notice given the public before the public <br /> hearing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that neither the Redevelopment and Housing Authority <br /> <br /> nor the City would be financially responsible for any cost overruns for <br /> the project. The developer and general contractor will both furnish 100% <br /> performance bonds to guarantee completion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wendall Wood, developer of the Hilton Hotel in Albemarle County, <br /> said he was not in favor of public funds used for private projects, but <br /> added that if the Authority or Council was determined to provide public <br /> funding, perhaps they should put the project out to a local developer. <br /> <br /> Mr. Francis Fife of Concord Drive, former Mayor of Charlottesville, <br /> <br /> and Chairman of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Training Commission, applauded <br /> the project which would provide 250 new jobs initially to a segment of the <br /> population in need of employment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Eric Heiner stated in response to earlier criticism that joint <br />public-private ventures such as this proposal were not unusual and that <br />local developers did not have the expertise, nor had they come forward to <br />become involved in the project. <br /> <br /> As there were no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that the points of criticism had been well taken, but <br />they were areas that had been given careful consideration by the Authority <br />and Council. Mr. Buck said he felt the project was an excellent one which <br />would encourage the community to prosper at a very small risk to the taxpayers. <br /> <br /> Dr. Hall stated that when he came to the community 17 years ago he <br /> <br />began hearing of Vinegar Hill and the desire of its previous residents to <br /> <br />see something of value built on the site. The Authority has been seeking <br /> <br /> <br />