JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek City Council is moving the ball on a performing arts center, a space advocates dub the “Legacy Center,” by earmarking hotel/motel tax dollars toward the effort.
At the council’s Feb. 12 work session, Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry suggested the anticipated $257,000 in hotel/motel tax collections be spent on construction documents for the performing hall.
Bradberry’s proposal came after members of the Johns Creek Convention and Visitors Bureau and some councilmembers drafted a list of potential tourism development projects. There had been some pushback from the tourism bureau on ideas that weren’t standalone or visible, with preference toward projects like public art and landscaping.
There was also pushback on Bradberry’s proposal at the work session from Councilman Larry DiBiase who said there are still too many variables in the mix before making a decision, such as location, size and scope.
The council has not yet identified or purchased land for the project, and DiBiase said he did not want hotel/motel tax dollars to put pressure on the process. State law says tourism development projects must be completed within the same year the tax revenue is collected.
Bradberry referenced the city’s oncoming Capital Improvement Plan, which includes a performance hall. The draft of the document was reviewed at the council’s strategic planning retreat last month.
“… [The Capital Improvement Plan] is saying that this is the path that we are on. This is where we’re going,” the mayor said. “I think that as the board of directors for the city, I think that’s something for us to take pretty seriously.”
Longstanding effort
Bradberry also referenced work studies completed for the performance hall, like the mayor-appointed Legacy Center Working Group which consulted the Legacy Center Task…
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