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VIENNA -- Building an amphitheater at Spencer's Landing has the potential to bring in over $2 million in revenue and create 38 new jobs in Vienna, according to Senta Goudy, dean of the Center for Civic Involvement at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.
Goudy presented the findings of an economic impact study regarding Spencer's Landing to Vienna City Council last week. She said tourism and hospitality is a cornerstone to economic development in Vienna.
Goudy said her team worked with D Byers and Associates of Marietta on the study. To come up with estimated revenue, they drew inspiration from a similar study that the Buckeye Hills Regional Council, another regional local development board, participated in.
BHRC's study evaluated the economic and social impacts of 51 facilities across Southeastern Ohio. Goudy said the team determined Vienna would have similar income and spending patterns.
The report says if five events per year were held at the amphitheater, and attracts a total of 33,000 people in a year, it will generate $900,000 in ticket sales and concessions, along with $1,176,725 in indirect spending, such as staying in a hotel and eating in a restaurant. This amount totals $2,076,725.
If 22 community groups rented the amphitheater in a year, it would generate $16,500 in rentals and fees, plus $116,061 in forecasted spending, totaling $132,533.The total estimated impact from those numbers is $2,209,257, Goudy said.
Goudy said one of the potential events to include in the yearly lineup is a music concert series, like the one held at Parkersburg's Point Park. It would draw river traffic and land traffic. The report cited New Philadelphia and Steubenville, Ohio, and Wheeling as small markets with successful concert series.
The report also cited the cleanup of the Johns Manville property as a huge success and leads the way for further development there.
"You take an industrial property that was a blight to our community, and turn it into something great, it's wonderful," Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp said.
The report also recommended a local non-profit organization and volunteers to oversee event management.
"Vienna's local government is encouraged to focus its staff time on the long term development and maintenance of Spencer's Landing and partner with Friends of Vienna and other volunteers for facility and event management," the report said.
Goudy said one challenge in building an amphitheater includes the lack of parking for attendees.
Mathers Forest Consulting CEO Jack Mathers said last year at the Freedom Festival's rodeo, Minibel Golf course helped with the parking and gave half of the proceeds back to Friends of Vienna. Both organizations benefited, he said.
Goudy said another challenge is the lack of hotels in Vienna. There is only one: Wingate by Wyndham.
"If that hotel is booked up with rooms, there would be no other place for someone to stay in Vienna. They would stay in Parkersburg," she said.
The city will also need to consider the train tracks near Spencer's Landing and when their operational schedule is, Goudy said.
Goudy said Vienna has a valuable piece of land in Spencer's Landing and will be a centerpiece to inspire new development in the area.
"Riverside activities are the thing right now. People are wanting to be on the water. The city has a magnificent piece of property in Spencer's Landing," she said.
Mathers said the city has sent out requests for quotes for an initial design of the amphitheater. Having a design in hand along with the study will help the city when applying for grants, he said. Goudy suggested he look into applying to the Appalachian Regional Council, which recently awarded a $1.5 million grant to Steubenville for their Grand Theater through their ARC Power program.
Rapp said he thought the economic impact study provided a lot of valuable information.
"We wanted a set of independent eyes. You get a truer picture of what's there. We could be optimistic and say it'll be successful. We have real data to compare it to," he said.
Kristen Hainkel can be reached at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com
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Study Findings:
Assuming a minimum of five events per year, attracting 33,000 attendees:
* $900,000 in direct spending (ticket sales and concessions)
* $1,176, 725 in forecasted spending in economy (restaurants and hotel stays)
If 22 community groups rented the amphitheater in a year, it would generate
* $16,500 in rentals and fees
* $116,061 in forecasted spending,
Total impact in a year from events and rentals: $2,209,257.