SCENIC GATEWAY STEERING COMMITTEE
MINUTES – October 24, 2002 Meeting
Transportation Depot – 8:30 a.m.

ATTENDEES:  Anita Barrett, David Campbell, Cliff Caughman, Lynn  Cole, Carl Hughes, Tom Lucek, Peggy Maruthur, Carl McChesney, Kent Myers, Gerald Wheeler, & Evan Yother…

Absent: Laurence Adkins, Steve Arrison, Vickie Berni, Mike Bush, Jay Chesshir, Wyley Elliott, David French, Ted Mullenix, Jerry Raetz, Steve Teague, Les Warren, Ken Wheatley, Bob Wheeler,  Larry Williams.

 Minutes from the September 24, 2002, Steering Committee meeting were approved as submitted:

Carl McChesney made the Motion and Carl Hughes seconded.  Approved.

 Lynn Cole introduced our guest speaker:  Mr. Roger Giddings,  Superintendent of the Hot Springs National Park.  Kent Myers expressed our interest in the status of Bath House Row renovation as well as shared with Roger a direct interest of Mr. Ed Hart, President and Owner of Magic Springs, re the redevelopment of the Bath Houses as they are key to growth and awareness of Hot Springs, the Scenic Gateway and Magic Springs. 

 Roger proceeded to cover areas in or near the S/G that include or border the National Park.  Kent questioned establishing a visitor’s center on any acreage in the Hot Springs School District land located in the S/G that they are not currently using.  Roger doubted this would work.  He continued to cover specific land parcels and by whom owned.

 Evan Yother commented about a road or path off Gulpha Gorge to the peak of the mountain that is used for guided walks.  Evan owns the corner of the original reservation.  He said past the Entergy lines is private property.   Evan stated that Ed Hart/Magic Springs & Gary Coleman (+ a doctor…Lynn stated Dr. Pellegrino is an owner) are trying to put a lodge up there w/ access from Sleepy Valley Road… and, Evan suggested, perhaps, put a tram up from Magic Springs.

 Lynn asked Roger about a Visitors’ Center along 70E?  Roger said it was not in the plans.  Gerald Wheeler asked Roger what steps are required to get it in the plan?  Roger referred to a $400,000-$600,000 General Managerial Plan revamping and that anyone can approach the Director of National Park Service or Secy. of Interior.  Roger states he has found this (i.e.,Bush) administration more lenient with the law and policies than any he has experienced in his career.

 Lynn asked if the National Park has plans to purchase any land beyond the present Scenic Gateway Interchange?  Roger responded it was not in their jurisdiction & probably wouldn’t.  But, that it could happen??? 

 Cliff Caughman asked who would finance a Visitors’ Center?  Giddings said the NP may partner will private parties re co-oping a Visitors’ Center. 

 David Campbell inquired re the Watershed Study…& how long the ‘hot water’ will be with us?  According to Roger, there is no problem re our hot water supply…that it has the same volume yearly as long as we get rainfall as we now have.  David asked if there has been any change in the analysis of our water?  Roger: No, but (it is) necessary to purchase land to protect (the waters), and some is undeveloped….water will continue to flow; although the regulations may change (get more strict).

 Lynn returned the discussion to Bath House Row and the specific Bath Houses.  Roger gave us a rundown on each of the Bath Houses:  asbestos and/or lead removal status; structural conditions; possible usage; costs to lease, open and/or renovate.  According to Roger, several of the Bath Houses have cracks in their front facades because of the creek running underground…and some are tipping forward! 

 He stated the NP will work with businesses or entities compatible to our National Park…but they must have the managerial ability to keep them open, if leased.  There have been 500 potential interests over the past few years.  If they spend $2million, they will get a 20% tax deduction.  There is no lease fee charged until the lease capital investment is regained. 

 Peggy Maruthur asked about possible residential use of the Bath Houses?  Roger said it was not impossible.  Apts/hotels/B&B’s  are possible uses.  It is imperative nothing is put in or done to a Bath House that changes the façade or image too drastically, per Roger. 

 Kent asked about signs/signage?  Roger:  Nothing out of image of HSNP.   Q:  An Arcade? – He wondered what could go in?  Restaurant?  Possibly.  Anita Barrett asked why they have to restore or revamp the entire Bath House?  Can’t they fix up the first floor only?  Roger:  Possibly ok to do first floor and show plans re protecting the second floor.  We could have a tour guide go into some BHs.

 Roger discussed the delayed funding schedule:  2003 money is deferred to ‘04… ‘04 to ‘05… ‘05 to ’06.  $4.3M = 2005…..$7.4M = 2006.   Total $11.7M could make a big dent on work in BHs, per Roger.

 Peggy suggested hiring someone to run tours into the BHs.  Roger:  Maybe. 

 Roger told us to let NP know if they can help us.

 Gerald commented the renovation looks great but still looks uninhabited (empty ones need help).  Can City or committees help fix outside to improve appearance (i.e., business groups donate chairs for pp to sit on porches of BHs vs. looking abandoned)?  Roger stated they may open the lobbies in those BHs ready as far as appearance.  There are five different groups in H.S. trying to help.  Gerald suggested Kent Myers might be able to go to the Sentinel-Record & committees and pursue enlisting help.  Kent said Jay, Steve Arrison and Roger meeting re getting one or two BHs open and flourishing.  Gerald suggested hanging art work in lobbies and put chairs out front to make them look inhabited.  Roger said the facades look pretty good, and the lobbies can be opened.                  TY Roger.

 Ground Breaking Ceremony discussion:  Jay Chesshir is interested in the COC Transportation Comm.co-sponsoring with the S/G SC on this Ceremony…maybe wait til Jan. or Feb.  Carl McChesney favored doing it on the Dec. 5^th date.  He will let Steve Teague know if we change this date, however.

Evan said the buses must leave before 2:30 to return to the school.  (Note:  we’ve since chg’d location to CMS.)  Anita sent letters to the school art depts. but no response as yet, except CMS (they will participate).

 GIS Map:  Kent showed us map contents and purpose -  which is a follow-up to our Sept. 24^th meeting w/Jay Chesshir re economic development/marketing.  Shelia Dunn, GIS Dept,. was present and commented re  water & sewer inside City of HS only shown…but she can produce maps specific or customized to our requests re flood plains, zoning, etc.   Kent pointed out the actual new Expressway Interchange and Westinghouse Interchange sites.  

 Lynn inquired re adding to the GIS all the property owners in S/G…Shelia said they did 1,000 up parcels re along the Hwy but info from Court House was 6 mos. to a year out dated.  Lynn inquired about creating a specific p/o version?  (That it is key to S/G marketing and economic development.)  Shelia said they can do one with p/o name and boundaries. 

 Lynn suggested we work with EAST Labs at the schools and assign projects to them.  Shelia agreed this would be an outstanding project for possibly giving to Fountain Lake students.  The EAST Lab instructors like ‘real world’ projects (which this certainly is).  It must be a learning process: how to do it…research…setting up…etc.

 The statistics re p/o’s layout could be phase one;  marketing concepts, phase two; and Web site development, phase three…per Lynn’s recommendation.  Shelia agreed these would be appropriate; as long as we don’t use the students as employees to do actual work.   They can set up the project, however.  Shelia and Lynn agreed to get together on this in the near future.

 Cliff asked how and with what would we prepare for marketing (the S/G)…what zoning & codes would be used?   A:  Existing zoning and codes; plus, a guest marketing speaker will give us ideas. 

 David asked if EAST Lab has already done this (referring to GIS mapping)?  Shelia said they have.  Carl M. commented  an overlay of two or more maps containing: parcel numbers… roads…waterlines.  He recommended a 1:800 scale as appropriate.

 Lynn suggested the S/G Economic Development Action Committee work on this project.  It was agreed this would be appropriate.

 Kent commented, as a follow-up, re Cliff’s question re marketing (what, how, when).  A professional marketing person will speak, hopefully, at our Jan. or  Feb. meeting (i.e., Kirby Williams); and, we can get his ideas, as well.   Evan suggested we have this be an open meeting to all p/o’s.  Several members questioned this being appropriate at this early stage…perhaps bring to p/o’s when we are further along.

 Lynn moved to set up next meeting.   Decision:  Thursday, Nov. 21^st,  11:00 a.m. at Transportation Depot.  Kent will explore w/Kirby Williams re his availability for marketing presentation to SC.

 Recap:  re outstanding activity planning & next meeting re GB Ceremony…

 Kent has blocked November 18^th re S/G SC update presentation to H.S. City Board of Directors.  Presenters:  Open/ action to date overview: Lynn… Branson Blitz:  Kent…. Bridge Concept: Carl M….. P/O Action Comm. & mtg. 8.13:  Ted ….Close w/future plans (GBCeremony, Pigeon Forge Blitz, econ. devel./mkg, etc.): Lynn.

 David asked about EAST Labs doing a Catalog re indiv. properties in detail (location, utilities & terrain).  Shelia said they have not done anything for this group, but they do have the ‘art view’ program and can do a CD on data. 

 Lynn presented the S/G new letterhead and envelope logo…plus, logo will be used wherever appropriate.  Evan asked to use this new logo on his Web pg.   Kent Myers made the motion to approve and Gerald Wheeler seconded.  Approved.   Our official new logo is now in use.

 Meeting adjourned approximately 10:15 a.m.

 Respectfully submitted:

 Lynn D. Cole  Coordinator/Facilitator