Governor Fighting For Upscale Hotel At Gulf State Park

Alabama Bob Riley Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is appealing a judge's decision that blocked state plans to build an upscale hotel and conference center at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores. The old lodge was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan.

by The Associated Press

Published: Thu, July 17, 2008 - 4:29 pm CST

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is appealing a
judge's decision that blocked state plans to build an upscale hotel
and conference center at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores.
Riley says the state is losing tourism revenue by not having a
resort hotel at Gulf State Park.
The state's lodge at the park was destroyed in 2004 by Hurricane
Ivan. The state developed plans to replace it with a 350-room, $100
million luxury hotel.
Montgomery County Circuit Judge Gene Reese ruled last month that
the plan violates state law in part by planning a facility that
would be too expensive for the average Alabama resident to enjoy.
Alabama Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley said Thursday
the state has filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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cmb1 Says:

Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 7:23 am

I see both sides, we need the revenue. but maybe a discount for Alabamians?

rosepetal Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Montgomery County Circuit Judge Gene Reese ruled last month that
the plan violates state law in part by planning a facility that
would be too expensive for the average Alabama resident to enjoy.

the above might be true, but i think the idea behind the facility is to invite people to come that will spend the money, that for sure the local business would enjoy. i also heard there was a major theme park looking at gulf shores and that hotel would come in handy.

BamaBob Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 4:51 pm

This caused me to have another thought only slightly related to the above topic. During my drive home I was listening to this guy pushing solar, wind, etc, and saying for a mere 20-30 thousand dollars a person could make the average 2,000 sq. ft. house very energy efficient and put less of a demand on the power grid.
__
When is the last time anyone heard of a government building (local, county, state or federal) having buildings designed that incorporated solar, wind or any other alternative energy source? It doesn’t happen and every one of the existing structures are huge energy hogs. Something is very lop-sided about this line of thinking.

BamaBob Says:

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 4:43 pm

I can see both sides of this, but why can’t a compromise be reached? A mix of both maybe?