Bronner not surprised by Bass Pro study

FLORENCE -- The Retirement Systems of Alabama's top executive said Thursday that he's not surprised with a recent study by three University of North Alabama professors on the projected impact of a Bass Pro Shop locating in the city.

The study projected that Florence could lose $14 million on a nearly $20 million incentive plan to attract a Bass Pro Shop to Veterans Park.

David Bronner said the study raised some good questions but failed to take into consideration the bigger economic development picture.

"It's a piece of the puzzle. It's not the whole picture," Bronner said of Bass Pro. "When the whole picture is shown and Mayor (Bobby) Irons feels comfortable revealing it, everybody can have their reaction."

As part of the RSA economic development project that includes two Robert Trent Jones golf courses and a four-star quality Marriott, RSA and Florence must agree on an attraction for Veterans Park.

Meanwhile, a group of residents has asked for a study from UNA on the economic impact of an all-purpose arena.

"We've never felt like it's a competing project with Bass Pro," said Jackie Hendrix, one of the group members.

His group is also asking UNA for a land use study at Veterans Park.

Hendrix said the study they have asked for would not consider costs, because they don't believe an arena will make money.

"It's a quality-of-life issue, like a library or a ballpark," he said.

Bronner said the problem with an all-purpose arena is that it doesn't do anything well. He said he still believes Bass Pro could be the answer for Veterans Park.

He said Bass Pro may need to know whether Florence is on board within the next few months because of the company's plans for a store in Leeds, a suburb of Birmingham.

"I worked it into a package," he said. "I told them I will help you in Leeds if you do something in Prattville and the Shoals area," he said.

Prattville is a suburb of Montgomery.

Irons said that he has not heard an established timeline from Bass Pro on when they need an answer.

Irons said a study is needed that considers the entire scope of the project.

But Irons said Thursday the study could not be commissioned until a private developer that is

interested in the project is ready to provide data.

Bronner said economic development is a complex endeavor.

"When they built the original tower, that was going to be a savior, and then, the conference center would be a savior," he said. "The hotel made the other two come alive."

Bronner said if Bass Pro is deemed to not be the right fit for Veterans Park, then the backup plan is to start over.

The study by the professors looked at the outcome if the city provides about $17.5 million to construct Bass Pro's building.

The city would receive 2 percent of gross sales from Bass Pro as a lease payment on the investment.

The study also considered factors that included sales taxes generated by Bass Pro and any businesses that come because of Bass Pro, the impact on the economy from 220 retail jobs the store would create and the economic impact during construction.

The study did not review the secondary affect of tourists who may come to the Shoals because of the Bass Pro.

Bronner said many companies follow other companies around the nation and open stores. Bass Pro is an example of one of those companies that bring unique stores in its wake, he said.

But the authors of the study say additional retail at the Bass Pro site will likely not change the results.

They say that's because of the limited range customers will drive in order to visit a Bass Pro and any surrounding retail businesses, and the limited disposable income of potential customers in the area.

Todd Twilley can be reached at 740-5728 or todd.twilley@-timesdaily.com.