SHR: Changes to the Charleston Civic Center

[wvkeeper(HN)]

http://www.wchstv.com/news/features...leston-Civic-Center-117618.shtml#.VTZH2yFVikp

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Old and outdated are just some of the words used to describe the Charleston Civic Center.

"If you look above us, all you see is concrete," said Charleston Mayor Danny Jones.

All that concrete though is soon going to be gone, and is going to be replaced with glass. These are renderings of what the civic center is going to look like when the renovation is finished in January of 2018. Charleston City Manager David Molgaard said this project is something that has to happen.

"This will allow us to create the synergy that will, as the mayor pointed out, provide investment in downtown Charleston," Molgaard said.

Alisa Bailey with the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau said with the way the civic center is now Charleston isn't able to get many national conferences, and sometimes can't book them at all because of scheduling issues. The upgraded Civic Center is going to have enough space to book multiple conferences at once.

 

[pj(HN)]

http://www.wchstv.com/news/features...leston-Civic-Center-117618.shtml#.VTZH2yFVikp

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Old and outdated are just some of the words used to describe the Charleston Civic Center.

"If you look above us, all you see is concrete," said Charleston Mayor Danny Jones.

All that concrete though is soon going to be gone, and is going to be replaced with glass. These are renderings of what the civic center is going to look like when the renovation is finished in January of 2018. Charleston City Manager David Molgaard said this project is something that has to happen.

"This will allow us to create the synergy that will, as the mayor pointed out, provide investment in downtown Charleston," Molgaard said.

Alisa Bailey with the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau said with the way the civic center is now Charleston isn't able to get many national conferences, and sometimes can't book them at all because of scheduling issues. The upgraded Civic Center is going to have enough space to book multiple conferences at once.

Now if we just had a regional airport that offer competitive airfares to help bring people into our region.

 

[wvkeeper(HN)]

Hey now....

 

[pj(HN)]

Keep... Your Dad isnt lurking is he? LOL...

 

[Tim Hensley]

Don't get me started about CRW frigging the whole State of WV by refusing to participate in a regional airport -- twice.

 

[Herdstruck]

You know this state is a pathetic joke when the state capitol looks at $70 milllion as a major and daunting task to obtain...just goes to show how poor everything is around here.

 

[wvkeeper(HN)]

Seriously. $70 Million is a small road repair in a major city. In Charleston it is the largest expenditure of funds practically since the ballpark.

 

[Herdstruck]

The worst part is even if they built this place...with the idea of multiple conferences...no businesses are going to want to meet in a state who are such assholes to outsiders.

 

[The Real SamC]

Like all Charleston construction, this is an answer to a question no one asked. Fact is the current arena is full for sports once a year. Or less, depending on the perceived competitiveness of the Herd versus USPAM. The HS tourney doesn't sell out and has not in years. USPAM's other game there draws 6K or so.

For non-sports, the best draws are what you would stereotypically think would be. Tractor pulls, country singers, and such. But nothing close to a sell out. Place sets empty 9 days out of 10.

On the convention side, fact is, Charleston's airport is inadequate and is incapable of being more than it is. Small planes at high prices to long hub layovers, with the misplaced mess (at least currently, it is slowing sliding down into the Elk) fogged in due to its proximity to the river for hours every day most of the year. And when (if) you get to town, what is there exactly to do for the average fat middle aged business convention attendee? Watch the cars rust?

More waste. But Charleston mayor can employ a few more of his lavender mafia promoting the place.