A&P to continue negotiations for former gallery space
Posted on Friday, July 25, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/64108/
BENTONVILLE — A move for the Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau to a new space has been delayed, as the city’s Advertising and Promotion Commission requested that CVB President Kalene Griffith continue negotiations with property owners of the space at the former Fusion Art Gallery, 109 N. Main St., for the bureau’s new location.
Griffith told the commission at its meeting Thursday that she received estimates for improvements to the space that would be necessary for the A & P to operate and serve as a facility operated by public funds. Estimates ranged between $ 80, 000 and $ 150, 000 — which is “ much more than I probably anticipated, looking at the project, ” Griffith said.
In addition, the lease amount is approximately $ 3, 000 more than the A & P currently spends.
“ It’s an awesome location, but if we are putting money into something like that, we want to make sure (it’s worth the investment ), ” Griffith said.
Griffith added that she has received phone calls from concerned people regarding the proposed leasing agreement. Griffith asserted that a presence on the Square would be an asset to the bureau and to the city.
“ We’re not just an office building. We are, in a sense, the front door into our city, and directing people back into our city, ” Griffith said.
Negotiations on a leasing agreement will continue before the A & P can take action, Griffith said.