Conventional Wisdom?

The city of Fayetteville has yet to book a single convention or trade show for its much-awaited town center planned for the south side of the downtown square.

We’re told by an industry insider that, depending on the size of the convention, it’s typically booked two years in advance and four years in advance is not unusual.

Mayor Fred Hanna says his city has been held up by a lawsuit that challenges the legality of Fayetteville spending $9.4 million in tax money on the project, $2.45 million more than what was approved by voters.

Hanna says the cost was higher because the project was originally held up by the threat of a lawsuit by Fayetteville laywer Lamar Pettus.

Construction was supposed to start Aug. 11, and general contractor Nabholz Construction Co. was to have 600 days from the time contracts were signed early last week to get the job done.

Despite the fact the city has already confiscated about 40 parking spaces on the lot bordering Rock Street between Block and East avenues, construction hadn’t begun as of Aug. 19.

That means the city still doesn’t have a definite date for completing the project, which makes it difficult to start booking conventions.

Hanna says the whole thing is “real discouraging.” Those of us who work, dine, shop and play on the downtown square concur.