Kevin & Howie to meet fans

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Jun 07, 2003 Source: The Huntsville Times Submitted By: Gina Two members of group to talk with city about hotel By CHRIS WELCH Two members of the musical group Backstreet Boys are coming to Huntsville this week to meet with city leaders and hold a town hall meeting at Madison Square Mall. Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson will be in Huntsville Thursday hoping to meet with city officials to further discuss their interest in building a hotel/entertainment complex here. A town hall-type meeting will be Thursday afternoon at Madison Square Mall, sometime after 4 p.m., said John Malone, on-air personality/vice president of marketing for WRSA-FM Lite 96.9. Fans will be able to ask the singers questions, but no autographs will be given. WRSA will give some listeners the chance to attend a meet-and-greet with the singers and get pictures and autographs. The two entertainers became interested in the idea of a downtown Huntsville complex three years ago through their financial adviser, Rick Baker of Morgan Stanley, and secured hotel developer Belz-Burrow to pursue the project. Richardson and Dorough have visited Huntsville a couple of times to talk with city leaders about building a hotel near the Von Braun Center and an entertainment complex at the nearby Market Square shopping center. Talks between Belz-Burrow and the city broke down after the parties could not agree on an incentive package for the developer. The city then issued a request for proposals from developers interested in the project. Last month, city leaders announced eight developers had responded. The city is offering a $30 million incentive package that includes a site adjacent to the Von Braun Center downtown, parking, major downtown road improvements (in partnership with the state) and a planned expansion of Big Spring International Park to the hotel site. Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: geroin9l Submitted by: bezdar1 Submitted by: nikelir Submitted by: Jennifer Submitted by: Kelly Submitted by: Mark Submitted by: Kelly Submitted by: Lemat Submitted by: Paulo Submitted by: Carol Clark Click here to see more comments. Comment on this item. Next Item: Local Recording Academy recognizes its heroes Prev Item: "I Want It That Way" makes Vh1 Greatest Songs List