04/20/05 Minutes

GWCC AUTHORITY
CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK COMMITTEE MEETING
April 20, 2005

MINUTES
________________________________________

Present:
Richard Cohen, Chairman
Jim Edenfield
Marty Kogon

Absent:
Ray Anderson
Nancy Coverdell
Glenn Hicks, Ex-officio

Dan Graveline, staff
Khalil Johnson, staff
Mark Banta, Staff
Brian Hill, Staff


Chair Cohen called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m. and welcomed committee members and GWCCA staff to the meeting. He went on to say that Centennial Olympic Park was the crown jewel of our campus and we should be very proud of its success.

Chair Cohen feels it important for the committee to get an overview of what COP is, what its components are, and how it operates. He also would like to know how the Park will interact with both its current neighbors, as well as with its new neighbors. Mark Banta, Centennial Olympic Park General Manager, introduced himself and Brian Hill, Assistant General Manager, to the committee. Mark noted that Brian was coordinating and running festivals in Europe when he joined the Centennial Olympic Park team in 1996. Brian serves as programming, sponsorship and marketing coordinator, as well. To give the committee some background, Mark noted the Park was completed in 1998 following the 1996 Olympic Games and at that time there were several priorities for the Park. First, it would be used as a green space area for visitors to have a nice change of scenery, a welcome mat of sorts to our campus. Second, it would be a clean, neat, safe area for visitors and locals to enjoy a variety of activities. The decision was made to bring in a good programming person to create an operating philosophy that would make the Park a desirable destination. We took the “welcome mat” notion and added intentional programming that would add desired activity in the Park. Our intent was to draw local residents that live in the city, as well as those who live in the suburbs, to events in the Park. It was important for us to convince people it is fun and safe to come downtown. We actively promoted our name so people would immediately think well of us when they hear the name “Centennial Olympic Park.”

Mr. Graveline noted that two decisions were made early on. First, we decided we would rather have 5,000 to 6,000 people in the Park every day as opposed to occasional large events that draw 100,000 people every two or three weeks, but have a tendency to destroy the facility. Second, we decided the Park needs to be a catalyst to rejuvenate the area and help it come back alive. As the area around the Park has developed, more and more people now consider COP their neighborhood park. One committee member was concerned that in the next five years the Park could have pressure from too much going on and would not have enough green space. Mr. Graveline feels that with the opening of the Aquarium and then the World of Coke, there will be a huge burst of attendance for the first two years, but then it will plateau off somewhat. We need to be prepared to react to both scenarios. The Aquarium will manage their crowd flow as best as they can but it will still have an impact on us. One committee member was concerned that the north end of the Park could be overrun and felt we might need to monitor and manage pedestrian traffic. Brian noted we are working with the Aquarium and the World of Coke and in the next couple of months we should receive a good comprehensive look at what to expect.



Events for the year are determined in January and February. The Park consists of twenty-one total acres with sixteen usable acres for events. Brian Hill distributed the “C.O.P. Event Calendar Scheduling Protocol” and the “Event Calendar for 2004” for the committee to review. Mr. Graveline noted we try to resist allowing corporations coming in and closing the Park for days at a time for a private event they may wish to host. If visitors came to the Park and found it repeatedly closed, they would hesitate coming downtown not knowing if the Park was open or not. Brian noted that we may possibly combine some of our events with neighborhood events in order to eliminate the pressure of feeling overrun.

Mark Banta distributed the 2005 COP Business Plan. He noted the Park has a different set of measurables, which are used to determine future goals and objectives.

Mr. Graveline noted that originally the Park technically was not a park, but a facility of the World Congress Center that we chose to operate as a park. The Authority committed long-term resources to keep the Park at high operational standards. We have legislation that gives the Authority the power to run the Park. The Authority establishes the rules for the Park and enforces them.

Mark Banta went on to explain the “Friends of the Park” initiative. He noted that we have studied other conservancy programs, including Piedmont Park’s, to get a better understanding of how they work and how they affect the operation of a park. A conservancy is an entity that typically is put in place when government fails to supply necessary resources. The Park has never had the need for a conservancy program, but because of neighborhood issues and the reality of our current financial situation, we now feel this could be an asset. It was noted by a committee member that the people who have contributed to the Piedmont Park Conservancy Program feel in their minds that they “own the park.” We are not willing to give up ownership and therefore control in that way. We hope that “Friends of the Park” would support events that lack sponsorship. It was noted that we need to be careful with the structure of any “Friends” type of program.

For the benefit of committee members, Mr. Graveline gave some background on the “Wrinkle in the Quilt” all children’s playground. He noted that funding for this project is approximately $250,000 short. We will have to decide at some point whether to raise the additional money needed or to give back the money already raised or perhaps value engineer a reduced scope project. The committee feels this project is worthwhile and should not be abandoned at this time if possible. Mr. Graveline suggested he, Chair Cohen, and former Governor Barnes might need to discuss the funding situation, and added we are willing to host breakfast again in an attempt to raise the needed funds.

Chair Cohen suggested the GWCC Centennial Olympic Park Committee could meet quarterly if there were issues to discuss. The committee agreed.

Chair Cohen thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. He felt it was a good meeting and the committee gained a better understanding of the Park and its operation.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.