Unfinished project

The Tennessee Valley Authority's shoreline policy opposing commercial and residential development presents an opportunity for area politicians to take the easy way out and avoid a decision on what to do with Veterans Park.

We hope that is not what happens. We think instead it presents an opportunity to get the horse before the cart, so to speak, instead of assuming TVA will be OK with whatever plan is submitted.

We would like to see local officials, Retirement Systems of Alabama Executive Officer David Bronner and TVA officials sit down together to discuss Veterans Park and economic development in our area.

Under terms of a contract between the retirement system and the Public Park Authority of the Shoals, a mutually agreed-upon attraction was to be located in Veterans Park.

The contract was part of the overall project to develop two Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses in Colbert County, and the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa, the conference center and the River Heritage program in Florence.

Bronner and others have argued that an attraction is needed in the park to maximize potential of the overall development.

What that attraction might be really has never gotten beyond the speculation stage. Much of that speculation centered on bringing a Bass Pro Shops to the park, and possibly an accompanying strip of retail shops.

We don't think that idea ever had much reality associated with it. And it appeared to have little community support.

What is clear is that the Public Park Authority and RSA do have a contract that says an attraction will be built in Veterans Park. Local officials should not now act like the contract never happened. Or that it is up to RSA to come up with something while the community sits idly by.

Public input should be solicited, but in the end it is up to our park authority and RSA officials to come up with viable ideas that have a recreational aspect, will further economic development and are financially viable while staying within the parameters of what is permitted by TVA.

What kinds of development occur not just in Veterans Park but also in the whole area near the hotel and conference center should be a priority for our local officials.

The hotel and conference center, which are very successful, provide a solid foundation to build upon. The first phase of the River Heritage project adds another element. But the overall project is not complete and should not be declared finished.