Nov. 16, 2025

Finishing Strong| Local Leaders The Podcast #216

Finishing Strong| Local Leaders The Podcast #216

Closing in on his eleventh year in office, Denham Springs mayor Gerard Landry isn’t slowing down. He has already announced that he will not be seeking a 4th term as the mayor but that does not mean that his final year will not be an epic one. 

Throughout his 3 terms,  Mayor Landry has seen his entire city covered with water, immediately after he traveled to Washington DC and gave a speech to a packed congress that when I saw it live, absolutely moved me to tears.

The Mayor’s city not only came back but it came back stronger and better, we were truly #DenhamStrong
Then in 2020 during his 2nd term, Covid threatened businesses throughout the city, and much like the flood of 2016, with the Mayor’s leadership the businesses survived and the city would once again thrive. 
Now nearing the end of his 3rd term and likely last in office, Mayor Gerard Landry has set his sights on something once deemed not possible in the city of Denham Springs or the entire parish. 

A High End Hotel and Connecting Conference Center have been announced and with just one hurdle left the project that for the past decade has been on the list of citizens as the project most needed, will become a reality. Today I sit down with The Mayor to discuss how the project started, what infrastructure will be added to support it, and how the project will be funded at no additional cost to tax-payers. 

I’m Jim Chapman and This is Local Leaders 

Local Leaders the Podcast is brought to you in part by Cool Kings Heating and Air https://www.coolkingsheatingandair.com

Timestamps
01:37 Welcome Mayor Gerard Landry
04:10 Exciting New Projects for Denham Springs
05:01 The Denham Springs Conference Center
07:16 Bringing Community Needs to Life
07:49 The Potential for Growth
13:43 Addressing Traffic Concerns
14:39 Infrastructure Developments in Progress
23:25 Understanding Tax Increment Financing
25:31 Community Impact

WEBVTT

1
00:00:03.359 --> 00:00:06.879
Hey, y'all. When it comes to the AC business, trust

2
00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:10.720
goes a long way, and that's why I recommend cool

3
00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:14.160
King's Heating and Air. The good folks at cool Kings

4
00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:19.399
are licensed and experienced technicians that provide the top notch

5
00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:24.399
service that you deserve throughout Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas.

6
00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:29.719
They offer everything from emergency AC repair to complete AC

7
00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:34.399
replacements in maintenance plans tailored to keep your system running

8
00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:38.000
all year round, and right now you can get financing

9
00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:42.000
on a brand new heating and cooling system totally interest free.

10
00:00:42.119 --> 00:00:46.159
That's zero percent interest on a brand new system. Give

11
00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:49.280
them a call at two two five six eight one

12
00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:53.200
two six six' five for more, information or visit them

13
00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:58.079
on the web at Cool Kingsheating andair dot. Com Cool

14
00:00:58.159 --> 00:01:01.520
King's heating And air is A y five partner Of

15
00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:39.519
Local leaders the. Podcast hey, everyone and welcome back To

16
00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:43.439
Local leaders of the. Podcast AND i have a guest

17
00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:46.439
sitting across from. ME i would call. Him he would

18
00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:48.359
laugh and say he's, not BUT i call him a

19
00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:51.280
professional podcaster by now because he's been on my show

20
00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:55.040
a couple of, times and of course we are talking

21
00:01:55.079 --> 00:01:59.920
about none other Than Denham Spring's Mayor Gerard. Landry, so first,

22
00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:01.519
all welcome to local.

23
00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:02.760
Leaders thank, you good to be.

24
00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:05.359
Back it is great to see. You we have a

25
00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:08.280
lot we're going to talk about today on a particular,

26
00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:11.840
subject but before we get into, THAT i just want to,

27
00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:16.520
say get people out there a little sybnosis of you

28
00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:19.439
know what you how long you've been in the mayor's.

29
00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:23.280
Office so this is your third. Term you you started

30
00:02:23.319 --> 00:02:29.840
in twenty twenty, fifteen and you know you've had quite a.

31
00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:34.120
RUN i don't know a better way to put. That

32
00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:38.680
some days better than. Others of, course twenty, sixteen everybody

33
00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:41.479
you know that the majority of the city goes. Underwater

34
00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:45.360
twenty twenty you get thrown a lot OF. Covid you,

35
00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:49.080
know issues that affected business back in those, times and

36
00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:52.599
it seemed like we always, had in my, opinion the

37
00:02:52.680 --> 00:02:56.800
right guy for the. Job we were able to persevere through.

38
00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:02.159
That we came back stronger each. Time and now we're,

39
00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:05.159
focusing it seems like a little more on projects that

40
00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:07.840
aren't disaster. Related that must be.

41
00:03:07.960 --> 00:03:10.680
Nice it, is and yet you have to wonder why

42
00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:12.560
was it called the great? Flood what was?

43
00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:13.080
About?

44
00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:15.680
Right it will happened to be a pretty.

45
00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:20.000
Bachelor it Was, yeah no, Kidding and we talked about

46
00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:22.639
this the first time you came. ON i believe that

47
00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:25.360
people are put in the right place at the right

48
00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:29.439
time for the right job in disaster situations like. THAT

49
00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:31.680
i will always believe you were the right man for.

50
00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:36.360
That very thankful for. That. Again twenty twenty dealt kind

51
00:03:36.400 --> 00:03:39.000
of a business blow WITH covid and. Everything you were

52
00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:44.520
able to navigate, that get through, it and now finally

53
00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:48.000
in a position at least four now knock on wood where,

54
00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:52.520
hey we're going to focus on some things that this city, needs, well.

55
00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:55.520
The city needs, whatever you, know whatever happens to. Us,

56
00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:57.400
yeah we have to be able to deal with.

57
00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:57.520
It.

58
00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:01.080
Yep and this has been as a challenge from time to.

59
00:04:01.080 --> 00:04:03.039
Time and just have the right team around, you the

60
00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:05.280
right motivation to make sure everybody does the right thing

61
00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:07.840
and give, us you, know give us to wisdom to

62
00:04:07.879 --> 00:04:10.759
do what the citizens need us to. Do, yeah and

63
00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:14.000
be willing to do. It. Yeah, now, finally and we're

64
00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:17.040
on our end of our eleventh year and it's finally

65
00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:19.240
a project that's really going to be a feel good. Process,

66
00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:22.079
yes you, know something progressive if you, Will, Yes so

67
00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:23.279
we're excited about, that.

68
00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:27.800
And you, know obviously you know my excitement over that

69
00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:30.800
of voice that to you several, times and you seem

70
00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:34.639
very excited about that as. Well something that you can

71
00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:39.680
give back to your, citizens something that has been. REQUESTED i,

72
00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:42.600
mean it's been a glaring issue in the, parish a

73
00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:46.639
lack of this type of, venue if you, Will and

74
00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:52.319
it is a conference center and a really nice brand

75
00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:56.160
of hotel going next to. It of course we're talking

76
00:04:56.199 --> 00:05:01.680
about The Denim Springs Conference center and The Hilton Garden In. Hotels,

77
00:05:01.720 --> 00:05:05.759
Correct SO i guess the way to start would be

78
00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:08.120
at the. Beginning how did this come to?

79
00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:11.879
Fruition, Well i'm gonna go back and Give Jimmy durvin

80
00:05:12.399 --> 00:05:14.519
some kudos because one of the things he talked about

81
00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:17.079
to me whenever we were campaigning and he was he

82
00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:18.959
spent so much time with me trying to groom me

83
00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:22.600
to walk in and be able to perform at that high,

84
00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:26.040
level was the mayor's job is to try to put people.

85
00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:28.800
Together BECAUSE i get to talk to so many people

86
00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:32.120
and see so many opportunities out, there SOMETIMES i just

87
00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:33.720
need to call somebody and, say, hey you might want

88
00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:36.360
to talk to this guy because he's looking for something to,

89
00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:39.160
do and so you try to put people. Together and

90
00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:42.519
this is a situation where that is exactly what has.

91
00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:48.439
Happened and so it started with a gentleman that came

92
00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:50.879
and talked to us about the owner of the, property

93
00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:55.079
and he didn't know what to do with. It he was.

94
00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:59.519
Frustrated he bought it when the apartment complex went down

95
00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:03.160
back in early fourteen or. Fifteen he bought. It bought

96
00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:04.680
it at a fire. SALE i THINK i was his

97
00:06:04.839 --> 00:06:07.120
term that he, used and he just has not been

98
00:06:07.160 --> 00:06:09.600
able to find something that. Fit and he, Said i'm

99
00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:12.279
just ready to kind of give it. Away AND i,

100
00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:14.360
said so maybe the city wants. It so we had

101
00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:16.519
a conversation AND i told, HIM i, said you, Know

102
00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:19.199
i'd rather see you do something that makes you wildly,

103
00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:22.279
successful collect a lot of sales tacks THAT i can

104
00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.040
use to run my. City and he, said what do you?

105
00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:27.519
NEED i, said, WELL i surely would love to see

106
00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:30.519
a conference center and a nice branded hotel that sits

107
00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:33.000
next to, it because we don't have anything like that.

108
00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:35.959
Here and he, says. Okay and here we are now

109
00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:38.519
a year and a half, Later we've got all the

110
00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:41.160
bugs worked. Out we only have one hurdle left to,

111
00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:44.920
go and that's the actual formation of the tiff before the,

112
00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:48.240
council and that's going to be on the, Fourteenth i'm,

113
00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:52.360
sorry the twenty. Fourth and so we're there and he's.

114
00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.360
EXCITED i spoke to him again this morning and we're

115
00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:57.240
ready to go. Forward so now we'll have a place

116
00:06:57.279 --> 00:07:01.040
that nobody else in the, parish has no other branded

117
00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:03.360
hotel like this in the parish that that people would

118
00:07:03.399 --> 00:07:04.040
be proud to stay.

119
00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:04.160
At.

120
00:07:04.519 --> 00:07:06.879
Yeah so A hilton product is pretty drawn.

121
00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:09.240
Good it really is great.

122
00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.279
Name AND.

123
00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:14.560
I want to, say you, know it all started with

124
00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:18.959
just to mention you bring. Me you, know it's amazing

125
00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.319
when YOU i would imagine when you look back on

126
00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:23.920
this now that why HAD i not said.

127
00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:27.439
That you AND i had a conversation and you call

128
00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:29.680
me and you, said how come we can't have something

129
00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:32.040
like The Pace center in? Consuntions?

130
00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:33.240
YEAH i don't.

131
00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:35.639
Know, yeah but we'll figure it, out and sure enough

132
00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:38.680
here we. Are so thank you for making a. Suggestion.

133
00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:41.959
Uh And i've done some research on The Pace center

134
00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:44.680
and a service the community well, uh and so you

135
00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:46.079
know we're going to try to make one that serves

136
00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:48.759
us well as as as as well as.

137
00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:52.879
We can absolutely and so. Many let's get into the.

138
00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:58.240
Uses the importance, here uh is really. TENFOLD i mean

139
00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:02.720
personally in my, BUSINESS i can tell, you without a

140
00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:04.759
shadow of a, doubt not only COULD i sell that

141
00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:07.360
out three or four times a, year BUT i can

142
00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:10.519
also bring people in from all over the country to

143
00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:13.240
go to. It some of the podcasts that we do

144
00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:17.399
here with the envisioned production side of WHAT i do

145
00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:20.959
are podcasts that have fans from all over The United

146
00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:26.079
states and they come down. Here Kelly jennings With unspeakable,

147
00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:29.959
podcast who was A, Livingston Paris Denim springs. Resident she

148
00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:35.399
last podcast she did had people from almost all fifty

149
00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:39.200
states come down. Here influx of. People but we had

150
00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:42.000
to hold it over three nights because we didn't have

151
00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:45.000
a building to fit all thousand people at.

152
00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:49.120
Once, wow and that happens to be the number that we. Picked,

153
00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:51.559
yeah let's try to do something that would hold a

154
00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:54.799
thousand people at tables. Seated, yeah BECAUSE i had to

155
00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:57.360
clarify that the guy said the thousand people, Standing, no

156
00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:01.919
a thousand people. Seated and my thought process was. This you,

157
00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:03.840
Know i've been my wife AND i have been members

158
00:09:03.879 --> 00:09:05.919
of the Dinner Springs marty gra crew for a long,

159
00:09:05.960 --> 00:09:10.679
time and we utilize the parts the. Gymnasium Well i'm

160
00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:12.600
not criticizing them by no, means but you know what

161
00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:15.240
is still the, gymnasium no matter how much we try

162
00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:17.159
to make it look. Nice and we've had some really

163
00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.480
great years where it really. Nice but then you have

164
00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:22.360
to worry about you, know people might consume alcohol at

165
00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:25.559
A Marter gorl ball and so how nice it would

166
00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:28.240
be to have a hotel that's connected to the. FACILITY

167
00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:31.360
i know When mary AND i were a king and

168
00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:34.120
queen we had it at the one of the hotels

169
00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:35.679
in Bad. Rouge that was the only year that we

170
00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:37.879
had enough funds to do it and we were honored

171
00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:41.000
to have have it done that at that. Time but

172
00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:42.919
now with this facility here to say we could do

173
00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:47.039
it every. Time because the parts, facility we see four

174
00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:49.399
hundred and fifty, people SO i want to seat one

175
00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:52.159
thousand and so we're that's the goal that we. Have

176
00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:56.320
it's about a fifteen thousand square foot center with all

177
00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:59.240
the walls. Retracted we'll have a stage and we'll have

178
00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:01.080
it try to set up so that you could you

179
00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:02.759
could have a margaro, ball and you can have a

180
00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.759
band on the, stage you can have a dancer. RECITAL

181
00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:07.080
i just think of all the things that you could

182
00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:10.600
do a, wedding a wedding. Reception this is. Endless and

183
00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:12.759
then you have things like you were just talking. About

184
00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.279
you could have a. Conference you could have a group

185
00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:17.159
meeting of one hundred people or two hundred. People although

186
00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:20.600
these things would be fed if you. Will the beverages

187
00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:24.320
and food served from The. Hilton we'll have it connected

188
00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:27.840
by a, walkway a covered, walkway glass or, whatever and

189
00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:29.759
so you, know people could check into that room and

190
00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:31.720
go right to the right to the banquet or right

191
00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:34.720
to the, facility and right back and never even set foot. Outside,

192
00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:37.840
yeah but that's not the. Key the key is what

193
00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:40.679
the whole development is going to end up looking, like right.

194
00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:43.559
Exactly let's get into that a little.

195
00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:49.039
Bit, Sure so the tiff is tax incremental, financing and

196
00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:51.639
it only works whenever you have a piece of. PROPERTY

197
00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:55.120
i say, only but it's. Ideal this property right now

198
00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:59.679
generates zero dollars in. Tax there might be some property

199
00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:04.200
tax because it was classified as. Agricultural sure now it's.

200
00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:06.759
Commercial and then you throw in the hotel and you're

201
00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:09.240
throw in the conference. Center and we got a sixty

202
00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:12.600
acre Tiff so that's a lot of planned that we

203
00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:14.440
could put a lot of stuff, in, Right so we

204
00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:17.480
could have movie, theaters we could have more, restaurants different,

205
00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:21.320
restaurants nationwide. Chains and that's What Joe, moore who is

206
00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:23.960
going to be our realtor of record to make this thing.

207
00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:27.399
Happen he has access to all those. Venues and, Look

208
00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:30.000
joe has done quite a bit of. Stuff he was

209
00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:33.960
involved in The Gulf coast boom of thirty forty years

210
00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:36.480
ago with all the. Casinos, yeah he knows. Government he

211
00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:38.960
knows the government, side and he knows the retail. Side,

212
00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:41.759
sure so he's charged with going out and get us

213
00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:43.919
the best and the latest and the, greatest and not

214
00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:46.600
duplicate what we, have but to expand what we. Have

215
00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:49.600
so it would be a great asset to the center

216
00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:50.879
and also for our own.

217
00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:55.320
FOLKS i believe. It and let me say, this there's

218
00:11:55.360 --> 00:12:00.440
an interesting domino effect when these type of facility bees

219
00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:03.240
are built, in they're put, up and that is it.

220
00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:07.559
Attracts it's a magnet for other successful businesses to come

221
00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:12.840
to your. Community, uh you know what a very high

222
00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:18.080
end restaurant for, Example mike see an available property there and, say,

223
00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:21.039
hey this would be a great spot for. Us your

224
00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:24.519
local existing businesses really.

225
00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:27.200
Thrive sure they. Do and one you, Know Michael, gibson

226
00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:30.159
who is going to be the hotel operator and, look

227
00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:32.399
just to make sure to make sure everyode understands he's

228
00:12:32.440 --> 00:12:34.080
going to come build as a. Hotel this is his

229
00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:37.159
own money that he's. Investing, yeah it's about a thirty

230
00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:40.840
million dollar hotel and he has several and this is

231
00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:43.080
his own money that he's. Investing so when it came

232
00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.600
he flew in for the first time AND i took

233
00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:46.320
him on a Tour Baton rooge to show why he

234
00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:48.440
needed to be. Here and while people are moving to

235
00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:52.519
dinnerman living to parish and he an interesting question when

236
00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:54.320
WE i, said let's go look at you and crossing

237
00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.960
so you can see them. All he, said, well is

238
00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:59.279
there A is there A Texas roadhouse? THERE i said, yes,

239
00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:02.000
sir he, Said i'm come. ON i said that just

240
00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:07.039
because The Texas roadhouse he said, yeah he Said Olive

241
00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:09.360
garden And Texas. Roadhouse that's the number one and number

242
00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:12.519
two in the whole country for casual. Dining, wow they

243
00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:14.519
know what they're. Doing when they look for a, location

244
00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:16.279
they know they're going to be there for twenty, Years,

245
00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:18.879
yeah thirty. Years and he, said if they if they're

246
00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.919
if they're good with Juven i'm good with.

247
00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:23.399
Dinner how about? THAT i didn't know, Exactly and of

248
00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:23.840
course he.

249
00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.679
Did his due diligence and he got a servant done

250
00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:29.440
market analys and a market analysis and has comeback very very.

251
00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:30.440
Well, yeah so.

252
00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:32.639
He's he's ready to. Go and he's even talked about

253
00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:34.799
if we need a second, location you find me three

254
00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:36.120
or four, Acres i'll build you another.

255
00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:38.039
One come on that tells? You that does?

256
00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:40.399
You, yeah we're. Prime, yeah this is.

257
00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:46.000
Awesome, yeah very very big stuff. There. Now you, know

258
00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:50.720
anytime you announce a project like, this of, course, uh chatter.

259
00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:53.399
Starts and one THING i did the SECOND i heard

260
00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:56.919
about this project and it was, released WAS i, said you,

261
00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:59.159
Know i'm gonna put Out i'm gonna put it out.

262
00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:01.480
There you went to a chamber event and announced. It

263
00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:04.440
and so the next THING i did was, say, hey

264
00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:08.279
check this, out put it On. Facebook very blessed to

265
00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:11.519
have a pretty big following and had a lot of,

266
00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:14.759
comments AND i would say ninety nine percent of them were.

267
00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:21.200
Positive which is rare On. Facebook not only very, rare

268
00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:25.799
but there were a few people, that you, know traffic

269
00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:29.639
was a, concern and that's always a concern anywhere you.

270
00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:31.759
LIVE i don't know how many people have driven out

271
00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:34.279
To Baton ridge, lately but you, know you'd be hard

272
00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:36.279
pressed to get from one end To Baton ridge to

273
00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.399
the other in less than a half.

274
00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:38.679
Hour oh, sure.

275
00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:44.320
It's a, yeah it's a jungle out. There but that

276
00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:48.200
was some questions from a few people THAT i wanted to.

277
00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:53.159
Address just because there's a lot of infrastructure being put

278
00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:55.639
around this, project let's talk about that for a.

279
00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:59.080
Second, well obviously we've always had traffic issues here just

280
00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:03.360
because of the growth that we've experienced In Livingston. Parish

281
00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:06.960
there's about seventy one or seventy two thousand cars the

282
00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:09.759
day passed The Dinmim springs exit every day on The.

283
00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.679
Interstate mind.

284
00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:15.759
Blowing half of those about thirty two thousand exit here

285
00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:16.519
In Denhim.

286
00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:18.240
Springs even more mind, blowing even.

287
00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:20.519
More mind, blowing especially when we only have ten thousand

288
00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:23.519
people that live inside the city. Limits, now the city

289
00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:25.799
limits and the seven of seven two six zip code

290
00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:28.759
is two entirely different. Things watson has a seven of

291
00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:31.039
seven two six or seven and seven two. Seven so

292
00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.840
when you get right before you get To, washington it's

293
00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:37.399
still listed As Denham, springs but it's not it's not

294
00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:39.840
the seven and a half square miles That I'm i'm

295
00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:44.480
charged with trying to manage for our. Citizens so we

296
00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:49.360
acknowledge that there's a traffic, problem and trust, me since twenty,

297
00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:52.159
FIFTEEN i have been working on traffic problems here in

298
00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:55.600
the city Of Denmi springs WITH. Dotd we're part Of

299
00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:58.679
district sixty two And. Hammond that's through supervisors or that's

300
00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:02.679
the section of the STATE dotd that we. Are that's

301
00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:06.399
who manages our roads for. Us Alison, shilling who has

302
00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:10.279
been coming out here since that, Time Larry smith after,

303
00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:13.600
her and now we have Doctor. Williams he's a Next

304
00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:17.120
Mississippi department Of. Transportation he just retired and the ice

305
00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:19.679
coming to work for us here and he's doing a

306
00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:22.120
really good job of working with us. Closely so my

307
00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:24.679
point is we have worked a long time on traffic,

308
00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:27.440
issues long before people really really got excited about it

309
00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:30.480
like they are. Now AND i stood on the back

310
00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:33.440
of The Windy's Grassy dole back, there looking at the

311
00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:37.639
traffic with six or seven engineers way back in twenty,

312
00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:41.279
fifteen and they that's why we finally ended up with

313
00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:43.639
the two lanes to come on off the inn three

314
00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:46.200
lanes come on off the. Interstate that's how we finally

315
00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:48.039
got that. Done that's how we got the turn late for.

316
00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:50.879
RUSHING i stood on the corner with them counting cars

317
00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:53.240
at one ninety In range and one ninety And, humble

318
00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.240
and that's how we got the turn lace, there the,

319
00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:59.080
enhance the. Lighting it just takes so long to get it.

320
00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:04.680
Done so this particular, project the hotel since Writ smack

321
00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.759
dab in the middle of a project that we've been

322
00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.200
working on for a long time as.

323
00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.680
Well Alison.

324
00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:14.200
Shilling back in fifteen or, sixteen we talked about extension

325
00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:17.640
Of Cook. Road The Cook road was far from being

326
00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:20.200
completed at that, time right if it was even. Started

327
00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:25.720
people don't realize The Cook road was actually the funds

328
00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:31.000
for that were From Richard Baker Representative richard and that

329
00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:35.000
money was supposed to be for The jubian exit and

330
00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:39.559
it was moved To Cook. Road they thought that was

331
00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:43.079
their best thing to. Do who AM I that was

332
00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:45.160
long BEFORE i got, Here but that's how long. Ago

333
00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:49.480
that's how long ago that project was funded and. Started of,

334
00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.759
Course Cook road now has taken several years to get it.

335
00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:54.880
Done and so now we've been working with The Cook

336
00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:57.960
road extension And i'm gonna call It Demco drive because

337
00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.839
it will go from The Cook road round about At

338
00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:05.480
highway To Range avenue At Demco. Drive our friends At

339
00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:07.799
demco were kind enough to donate the right of way

340
00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:10.240
and ask IF i would call It Demco, drive AND i,

341
00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.160
said you better believe.

342
00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:11.960
It, YEAH.

343
00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:15.200
I would gladly take. That we you, know we love

344
00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:17.519
their partnership with, us, sure and it's going to help

345
00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.440
them as well because they have some property back. There

346
00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:22.839
so so these funds that we're talking about ARE dotd

347
00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:25.599
funds that we have to ask for and we have

348
00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:30.200
support From Valerie hodges and From Roger. Wilder or twenty

349
00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:34.440
twenty three were received about half a million dollars For Demco.

350
00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:39.480
Drive we just submitted another request for twenty twenty six

351
00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:42.119
for one point one million. Dollars and this is for

352
00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:45.160
design work to get the road. Built if you build,

353
00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:47.519
IT i mean if you design, it and you you

354
00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:49.640
do you follow your paperwork and you do everything you're

355
00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:53.680
supposed to, do THEN dtd can fund, it Don't they

356
00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:57.200
don't do. Everything they don't do. Everything they give. You

357
00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:59.319
they'll give you some cap to outlay money to make

358
00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:03.480
the project, bible show them that it's, viable and then

359
00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:07.119
you continue to ask for and receive. Funding Demco drive

360
00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:09.240
by itself From Cook road To range is about a

361
00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:13.519
fourteen million dollar. Project, yeah hard to, comprehend, sure but

362
00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.039
that's what it.

363
00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:17.319
Costs it's what it. Costs and you, KNOW i, believe

364
00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:20.680
And i'm sure you would agree with. Us but when

365
00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:24.799
you get projects like what's coming with, this with this

366
00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:29.519
conference center in this, HOTEL i don't know if light

367
00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:33.039
a fire under people is a is a great, term

368
00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:36.960
but it usually catches people's attention to the point that they,

369
00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:41.640
say now we have a really good reason to act on,

370
00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.759
this on this.

371
00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:46.319
Infrastructure and that's exactly that that's exactly the position That i'm.

372
00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:49.279
Taking i've called everybody and his brother the last two.

373
00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:51.319
WEEKS i, said, look we get rod rollers project out.

374
00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:53.599
Here you, KNOW i don't want you to be embarrassed

375
00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:55.960
because we don't have the roads, yet but we need

376
00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.720
to you, know we need to kick this thing in high.

377
00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.720
Gear and try to make something happen quicker if we.

378
00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:03.519
Can so the response has been. Good they have their

379
00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:06.000
hands tied with stay funding just like everybody else, does

380
00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:07.920
but they are very excited about.

381
00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.920
This and you brought up a good, point and that,

382
00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:13.680
is you, know a lot of the funds for infrastructure

383
00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:16.400
in your, city or in any city for that, matter

384
00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:20.599
or state state funded. Projects of, course there's a lot

385
00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:23.039
of red tape behind the scenes involved in that that

386
00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:26.880
no one more than Mayor landry would love to snap

387
00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:29.640
a finger and make it all go, away but that's

388
00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:34.039
just not the reality of. It there's so many eyes

389
00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:37.599
that have to look at this, stuff and your legislators

390
00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:41.240
in your district play a big role in. That of.

391
00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:44.000
Course uh they approve the funding a lot of times

392
00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.640
for these, projects or they liey for it or. Whatever

393
00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:50.880
we need to get this, Here and you mentioned Both

394
00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:56.480
hodges And wilder have both been very.

395
00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:59.400
Supportive, yes they'd you, know we had to have letters

396
00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.920
of support that we just submitted On november the first

397
00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:05.440
to DO otd for this. Funding so they are very

398
00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:08.079
aware of what what what our needs are and of

399
00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:10.359
course they live here and they see it all the,

400
00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:12.359
time which brings me one other. Point so we hear

401
00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:14.759
we hear about traffic all. Day we talk about traffic all.

402
00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:16.759
Day and my lovely bride AND i will get in

403
00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.079
the car and go. Somewhere and she, said you, know

404
00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:21.200
maybe we had a decent. Mayor we have all these traffic.

405
00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:25.279
Problems AND i, said, yes dear correct kite, is but

406
00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:28.119
you don't marry and just. Yeah so she's a great

407
00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:30.200
woman AND i love her to, death but she don't

408
00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:34.519
mind getting me a. Little but let's just back up a.

409
00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:37.240
Second so these roads have been in the works for

410
00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:40.200
a long. Time and then when this gentleman came to

411
00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:43.079
us and talked about this. Project guess. What all the

412
00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:45.519
roads that we're talking about cover all four sides of

413
00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:48.759
this particular. Project it was Like god, Said, okay now

414
00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:50.400
you can come talk to him about this spot and

415
00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.079
it's going to work.

416
00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:56.640
Out that's a beautiful. Thing AND i can't tell you

417
00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:59.359
the amount of people That i've talked to they're excited about.

418
00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:02.640
That let's touch on that for a. Second. Uh and you,

419
00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:05.880
mentioned you, know dance recitals for for, example are going

420
00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:09.240
to going to be a big. Thing, Uh children's choir

421
00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:13.319
going to be a big thing for that Particular, uh

422
00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:16.960
that particular. Project you spoken to some of these, People, yes,

423
00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:17.359
YES i.

424
00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:21.200
Have you Know Barbara walker And Phillis Guy barbers with

425
00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:23.920
The Leiversa press children's. Choir Phillips guy has a dance

426
00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:26.640
studio here in, town and they both have express interest

427
00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:28.640
in working with the architects to make sure that we

428
00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:32.640
design this facility that is conducive to the uses that they. Need,

429
00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:34.759
yes and that's What i'm my job is to make

430
00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:37.039
sure that we do stuff that's good for our. Citizens

431
00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:40.759
gonzales may not have that same capability because maybe nobody said.

432
00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:43.519
ANYTHING i don't, know but when somebody reaches out to,

433
00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:45.319
Me i'm gonna do the best THING i can to

434
00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:48.400
to make sure that we accommodate everybody's. Needs and that's

435
00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:50.559
what makes that's what makes us thing so, successful, right

436
00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:52.279
this is what we do it the right, way that's

437
00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.519
right and everybody wants to use.

438
00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:56.759
It and who would know better Than Phillis guy or

439
00:22:56.759 --> 00:23:01.599
how to design uh you, know a place for dance.

440
00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:03.480
RECITALS i mean she's going to be the.

441
00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:05.440
Expert what does the stage need to look? Like and

442
00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:07.960
for uh like for the? Choir hoving? Rises do you

443
00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:10.880
need all these, lighting so many. Lighting, yeah you, know

444
00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:13.119
this thing was supposedly going to have a ten foot.

445
00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:14.640
CEILING i, said, well CAN i have a twenty foot?

446
00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:16.759
Ceiling because how you're gonna put a nice handle there

447
00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:18.599
for a nice event if you don't have the height

448
00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:20.799
on the. Ceiling so these these are the kinds of

449
00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:21.200
things you.

450
00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.720
Have to work.

451
00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:24.559
Through we're at we're taking baby, steps but we're going

452
00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:24.960
to get.

453
00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:29.000
There one hundred percent and just. Quickly. TIFFs uh, SO

454
00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:32.599
i guess you could say that the tiff got cool

455
00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:37.960
with the Bass pro. Project this was a very SUCCESSFUL

456
00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:40.279
i don't know IF i call it experiment in a,

457
00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:46.519
tiff but you know what it speaks volumes for when

458
00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:49.160
a tiff is, successful how it. Works because that was

459
00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:51.160
paid off way, early.

460
00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:54.759
Thirty years fifty million DOLLAR tifft that was paid off

461
00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.559
twelve years.

462
00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.640
Early that's.

463
00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:59.400
Huge and WHEN i told that to the developer and

464
00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:02.279
to the hotel, guy they both look like really said,

465
00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:05.240
yes really, Yeah and of course that's how juven has been.

466
00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:08.599
Built Guven tomow and The phase two and three are coming,

467
00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:10.720
up and there's are all going to be TIFFs as, well,

468
00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:13.359
yep and as so as it's the additional taxes there's

469
00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:15.880
an addition two percent or sometimes three percent, tax whatever

470
00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:18.680
the numbers are going to, be that's charged to people

471
00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:21.680
that shop. There so the property taxes for anybody else

472
00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.359
you're not going to go.

473
00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:25.359
Up that very important. Point, well of course it.

474
00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:27.200
Is if you don't shop, there you won't see any

475
00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:29.920
increase in your. Taxi, yeah, okay but we encourge everybody

476
00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.759
to do. So now you, know we wouldn't have the

477
00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:34.960
Beast pro, facility we wouldn't Have, sam's we wouldn't have

478
00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.880
all the stuff that's there if it wasn't for the.

479
00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:40.559
TIFFs that's exactly, right and that domino effect THAT i

480
00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:45.240
talk about exactly these major projects are done and everything

481
00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:47.640
around them grows because of, it.

482
00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:49.519
Which is Like michael said About Michael gibson about the.

483
00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:53.599
Hotel you know what if If Texas roadhouse is, There i'm,

484
00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.400
Coming i'm.

485
00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:58.240
Coming he, knows he, knows and you, know even the

486
00:24:58.519 --> 00:25:01.599
residual effect from you, know these people will come out of.

487
00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:04.839
Town maybe they're coming here for for dance, recital and

488
00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:08.039
maybe they're coming here for a live. Podcast and while they're,

489
00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:11.759
here they, realize, oh we have a nice antique district

490
00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:14.920
right down the right and we're here for the. Weekend you,

491
00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:18.400
know let's go check that. Out Oh Big mics was you,

492
00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:22.319
know on on Bar rescue and very popular for. THAT

493
00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.960
i remember watching that. Episode i'm gonna go eat At Big.

494
00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:29.079
Mics that'd be kind of. Cool jumps your whole, community that's.

495
00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:32.160
Right so it's it's about getting dinner springs on the, map, yes,

496
00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.960
okay for the right, reasons for the right.

497
00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.839
Reason, yeah you definitely want to be on there for

498
00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:37.039
the Right and this is the kind.

499
00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:38.960
Of stuff that builds the, community that builds a business,

500
00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:43.359
community and it makes everybody even more successful than they already. Are,

501
00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:46.759
yeah and So i'm very very excited about this whole.

502
00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:49.559
Project this is probably uh, Yeah i'm.

503
00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:54.000
Ready, yeah me. Too and and you, know there was

504
00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:57.839
there was a lot of entities that were willing to

505
00:25:58.839 --> 00:26:02.839
give up some of their some of their tax money

506
00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:06.160
OR i guess you call it tax money that they.

507
00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:08.559
Pay you have some property taxes that we're going to go. After,

508
00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:14.279
okay SO i say property. Taxes what we're asking, convention

509
00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:17.240
The Convention bureau of The Visitors, bureau they had a

510
00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.920
three percent, tax are willing to give us one and

511
00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:22.559
a half, percent which is a. Significant supposed to get

512
00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:25.839
an answer this week From Gravity, drainage and THEN i

513
00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:28.119
think a week after that we'll probably getting answer hopefully

514
00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:30.559
from the. Parish we're asking for the same thing that

515
00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.920
the same thing as you've been as which is forty

516
00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:36.759
percent of the seven point seventy five sales. Tax and

517
00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:39.480
so there's a lot of components and everything else is

518
00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:41.480
going to be controlled or taxes that are from the.

519
00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:45.440
City if you, remember the issue that they had with

520
00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:48.960
Bass pro was a school board tax and that's what

521
00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.720
ended up in court and that's what took us for

522
00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:53.480
drug out that whole process for so long because it

523
00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:55.119
was a state. Tax, well that's that's not going to

524
00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:58.079
be the case. Here local it all locally in the.

525
00:26:58.119 --> 00:27:00.880
City Diner springs controls ninety percent of.

526
00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:03.559
It very, good AND i, know Don't we don't have

527
00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:07.319
a firm estimated time that this will be.

528
00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:10.319
DONE a couple of, years, yeah two or three years

529
00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.319
is probably a safe.

530
00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:13.359
Bet, yeah they got a lot of they got a

531
00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:16.519
lot of stuff to, clear and that's the that's the

532
00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:18.480
lengthy PART i would. Imagine, yeah that and.

533
00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:20.279
Then, funny like we talked, about you, know so this

534
00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:22.400
year we'll get another one point we're asking for another

535
00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:24.839
one point one begin to do the design and design

536
00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:27.519
work on these two, roads and the next year we'll

537
00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:30.200
ask for some more and so you, know maybe three

538
00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:33.519
years from, NOW i don't, know but, yeah the investors

539
00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:35.559
and the people are that are the property owners are

540
00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:38.279
ready to, go and they have the funds available to

541
00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:40.759
do so they're not waiting on. Us they're gonna start

542
00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.599
doing what they have to. Do.

543
00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:45.440
Yeah and and just, Quickly i'm gonna if you're watching

544
00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:48.480
the video version of the podcast right, Now i'm going

545
00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:52.240
to go ahead and insert a video of the infrastructure

546
00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:55.079
that is playing around this. Development so as we're, talking

547
00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:57.759
you're going to be seeing. That And i'm also going

548
00:27:57.799 --> 00:28:00.839
to have a picture up of the actual development The

549
00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:04.640
Hilton Garden end and the the.

550
00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:10.519
Convention uh it's a proposed Proposed hilton and Then springs CONFERENCE. Z,

551
00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:14.079
yes and you'll notice they're, connected which you mentioned.

552
00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:17.599
EARLIER i think is really. Nice uh it's a little

553
00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:21.440
thing sometimes mayor that people appreciate to make a. Difference and,

554
00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:26.160
uh that's why we use. Experts that's, there you go exactly. Right,

555
00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:30.000
Uh So i'm. EXCITED i know you're. EXCITED i want

556
00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:33.759
to thank you for really you, know spearheading it along

557
00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:37.079
with the city council and and just so many brains

558
00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:40.599
got together on this one to see it, through including the.

559
00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:43.720
Citizens and that's a that's a big. Thing it's what

560
00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:47.119
it's all. About. Uh just quickly a couple of other

561
00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.359
how's all these coming?

562
00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:50.240
Along all these Opens december the.

563
00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:53.440
Eleventh, yeah, yeah kind of a big project, here it.

564
00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:56.880
Is they ran into some difficulties with H they were

565
00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:59.960
doing some slab work inside the building and some thing

566
00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:02.079
didn't line up like they, needed so it took some extra.

567
00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:04.400
Work AND i think when they tore it into the

568
00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:06.839
facade on the front they found some rust and rot

569
00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.920
they had to get because they had they used an

570
00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:11.759
existing building up and so they had a little delay

571
00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:13.759
trying to get that. Done BUT i was called contacted

572
00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:15.799
last Week december the. Eleventh.

573
00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:19.279
Wonderful and of Course Batner's Gymeral hospital is going up

574
00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:23.319
on jubiant, amazing huge. Project yeah we, are we.

575
00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:27.160
Are you know it's no longer dinky. Springs, no, no we're.

576
00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:31.119
Not no one loves that more than. ME i love that.

577
00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:37.160
Stuff and any any final final, thoughts any any projects coming.

578
00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:40.680
Up THAT i am Just i'm just pleased that everything

579
00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:42.599
is finally turning out. Good like you, said we're not

580
00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:45.680
no longer in recovery. Mode, yeah and it's it's a

581
00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:48.000
good place to be right. Now, YEAH i really. IS

582
00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:50.079
i Love Dinner, SPRINGS i love all the people.

583
00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:53.119
Here, yeah and just a, yeah what a year?

584
00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:56.680
Left, yeah so next year it will be my last. Year,

585
00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:59.200
yeah it's about a year and a month and twenty

586
00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:02.480
days or something like. That and, uh on one, HAND

587
00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:04.960
i will kind of miss it, too But i'm going

588
00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.039
to be here And i'll still be here AND i

589
00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:08.400
probably still be a part of the board that we

590
00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:11.599
have to put together for this. Development. Yeah and, uh of,

591
00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:14.200
course you, Know mary's lived here all of her. Life,

592
00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:16.599
yeah AND i. CAN'T i couldn't drag her from here

593
00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.160
IF i wanted.

594
00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:20.359
To, yeah living, bears, Ladies.

595
00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:23.480
We're going to be, Here and you, Know i'm glad

596
00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:25.240
to be, here And i'm glad to have served as

597
00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.720
long AS i.

598
00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:25.920
Have.

599
00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:29.359
Yeah you, know the people blessed me with no opponent last.

600
00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:32.480
Time, yeah that's a nice. THING i GUESS i don't,

601
00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:36.200
know but well it speaks TO i, think AND i

602
00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:38.000
know you would never say, this BUT i think it

603
00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:41.519
speaks to the confidence in you and.

604
00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:42.599
And, uh thank you for the kind of.

605
00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:45.720
Words, yeah, YEAH i can't you know HOW i feel about.

606
00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:50.920
That but, UH i don't know If i'll ever be

607
00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:54.680
able to talk you out of. Leaving and and, UH

608
00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:57.920
i don't know THAT i blame you for for ready

609
00:30:57.920 --> 00:31:01.279
to turn the page to another. Chapter But i'll tell

610
00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:04.240
you we've been blessed to have. YOU i can't wait

611
00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:06.920
to see what the future. Holds AND i gotta, LOOK

612
00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:08.799
i got a chair, here and we can do a

613
00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:10.640
podcast together every day if you want.

614
00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:14.839
TO i thoroughly enjoy talking to you every TIME i

615
00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:16.160
come out here because this is really it's.

616
00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.559
Fun, yeah it really is.

617
00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:21.039
Informative and you know we have like minds and which

618
00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.720
challenge your other.

619
00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:25.039
Sometimes yes that's, Okay, yeah, yeah.

620
00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:26.839
People need to learn. This you can have a difference of.

621
00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:28.440
Opinion it doesn't have to be a life and death,

622
00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:30.079
thing right, Right it'd be.

623
00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:32.799
A born life if everybody agreed all the, time, right you,

624
00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:34.960
know it's just it's just the truth of. It and,

625
00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:40.000
LOOK i learn more than, ANYBODY i, think And i'm

626
00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:43.200
someone that always seeks out. Knowledge and the REASON i

627
00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:45.039
do that is BECAUSE i Know I'm i'm you, know

628
00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:50.759
probably ninety percent Time i'm, wrong So i've got to be. Educated. Yeah, yeah,

629
00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:56.079
oh she'll say one hundred. Percent, well thank you again

630
00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:58.680
for coming. On it's always a. Pleasure anytime you want

631
00:31:58.680 --> 00:32:00.400
to get something out, there you let me know and

632
00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:02.680
you can come sit down and we'll talk about, it

633
00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:05.880
whatever it. Is to all the, listeners thank you so

634
00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:09.960
much for. Listening please share this podcast with anyone that

635
00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:12.880
you feel could. Benefit and until next, Time I'm Jim

636
00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:17.160
chapman reminding you love your, community support local, business and keep.

637
00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:18.559
Leading thank you very, much