News from June 30, 2005 issue

Gotta Go!
Public toilets discussed by city
Local tourism officials say toilets attract more than flies.

In fact, Marion Tourism Director Michele Edwards uses an excerpt from a tourism handbook "The 25 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism," to illustrate the need for public toilets in town.

"It would just make Marion more user-friendly," said Edwards, who is spearheading the drive to get city leaders to include public restrooms as part of the new city hall building, which is now under construction at the corner of Main and Depot streets.

Edwards quotes her tourism handbook's Rule No. 4 which states that "restrooms are one of the easiest devices for luring visitors into your community. After all, you never know when the urge to go will cause them to stop."

Edwards says that based on the long-term highway plan for Marion, bypasses and the new U.S. 641 could re-route much the current traffic flow away from downtown. While that has its benefits in relieving congestion, it also takes a toll on the local economy. When traffic is routed around town, motorists are less likely to get off the main highway and stop here for drinks at convenience stores, gas from area stations or to spend money at other shops.

Edwards says the availability of public restooms is a greater attraction than most people ever realize. The three words, "I gotta go," strike fear into a parent on a long road trip, according to the handbook Edwards refers to often.

If Marion promotes the fact that it has clean, public restrooms, the number of folks who will stop might be amazing, said City Administrator Garry Barber.

"There is certainly traffic coming through Marion," Barber said, "we just need to give them a reason to stop."
Like at the popular pit stop at the plaza on the West Kentucky Parkway near Beaver Dam, Barber said potty breaks can translate into dollars for local businesses. Just look at the commerce that goes on at Beaver Dam, Barber said.|

The need for public restrooms is the greatest during events such as the annual Backroads Tour and Heritage Days.

"We need public restrooms for shoppers and just people passing through," Edwards said. Once the car's stopped, the likelihood of travelers entering a local shop go up, she added.

Edwards envisions a public facility for men and women that would be accessible off Main Street and open from 8 a.m., until 9 p.m., daily. "If we need to have them open later while scheduled events are going on downtown, we could do that, too," she said.

City officials are looking at putting the restrooms where Movie Time was formerly located in English Manor Shopping Center. The city has purchased the former shopping center and is turning it into a new city hall. Construction is scheduled for completion this fall. Cost for a change order in the city hall project to include public restrooms would be marginal, Barber said, and the city council appears willing to look further into the idea.

The location of the proposed public toilets is a very strategic spot right across the street from Marion's new antique mall and other retail shops, Barber added.

Conrad hired as new economic developer
The Crittenden County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) has announced that Lee Conrad will become the group's new economic development director next month.

Conrad will replace Steve Davidson, who has resigned. Davidson has served as economic development director since 1998.

The CCEDC has been instrumental in maintaining and recruiting local industry, and during the last few years has added an emphasis on promoting education. It was during Davidson's term that the CCEDC built the Education and Technology Center at the industrial park. It is also the group's headquarters.

The CCEDC is a public-private corporation which has three public sector investors ­ the City of Marion, Crittenden Fiscal Court and Crittenden Health Systems ­ and 52 private sector investors.

Conrad, 25, has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Kentucky. He was out of the country this week and unavailable for comment.

"We have been fortunate to have had someone of Steve's ability at the helm the past seven-plus years," said Gareth Hardin, chairman of the CCEDC and president of Farmers Bank. "With his approaching retirement, we are blessed to have another local man, who likewise has a love for the community and is very qualified to fill the position."

Hardin said that Conrad will begin Aug. 16. Davidson's retirement is effective Aug. 15.