SEC baseball tournament (Hoover, Memphis: weddings, campers, restaurants)

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by Mississippi Alabama Line

I should add.....the day of reckoning for Hoover is coming. Each year, they get closer and closer to losing the tournament (or at least the threat gets larger), even though attendance is soaring. The one year they moved it, attendance dropped (even though that was like 2000 or so). The RFP in 2011 was close, and the one in 2016 was even closer, and the only thing that kept it was the construction of the Finley Center and all that other stuff. I had the feeling the SEC commissioner wanted to move it around, so ultimately I think that happens. This is the last year of the current 3-year contract, with options for 2 more 1-year renewals, until it ultimately comes up again after 5 years.

Hoover is going to have to decide if they are going to dump money into the stadium, pretty much for this singular event. I don't think they have much else (big) going on out there, except a few Hoover High football games per year. I know they host a ton of youth sports but not at the Met itself.

It's really a crappy place for a football game or marching band competition.

[TimCity2000]

sounds like a similar conundrum that birmingham has with legion field.

do you keep putting money into an outdated/antiquated facility now that the primary tenants have long moved out, just for a couple of events a year?

[_OT]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

sounds like a similar conundrum that birmingham has with legion field.

do you keep putting money into an outdated/antiquated facility now that the primary tenants have long moved out, just for a couple of events a year?

No, and the MCC should move downtown.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by Mississippi Alabama Line

I should add.....the day of reckoning for Hoover is coming. Each year, they get closer and closer to losing the tournament (or at least the threat gets larger), even though attendance is soaring. The one year they moved it, attendance dropped (even though that was like 2000 or so). The RFP in 2011 was close, and the one in 2016 was even closer, and the only thing that kept it was the construction of the Finley Center and all that other stuff. I had the feeling the SEC commissioner wanted to move it around, so ultimately I think that happens. This is the last year of the current 3-year contract, with options for 2 more 1-year renewals, until it ultimately comes up again after 5 years.

Hoover is going to have to decide if they are going to dump money into the stadium, pretty much for this singular event. I don't think they have much else (big) going on out there, except a few Hoover High football games per year. I know they host a ton of youth sports but not at the Met itself.

Yes, I was wondering if it was used for anything else. If it's only for the SEC tournament, then it has to be expensive to keep in playing condition.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Yes, I was wondering if it was used for anything else. If it's only for the SEC tournament, then it has to be expensive to keep in playing condition.

It was kind of built in Hoover's heyday. But I think the city is beginning to run into problems. Just a year ago, they had to raise tax rates to stave off a budget crisis. They are going to have to really work hard to replace that facility.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

I saw on Twitter where they replaced the video board, so that's one more complaint off my list.

[Justin Scott]

The best thing Hoover could do for itself is consolidate government services with Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, Homewood and Mountain Brook.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

The best thing Hoover could do for itself is consolidate government services with Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, Homewood and Mountain Brook.

[bfmx1]

I was at the MET this weekend was surprised at how much development is going on out there. It was really nice and finally makes those fancy Trace Crossing homes worth their value IMO (well in a year when it's finished). I used to think the area was like 50% done, now they're finally finishing the other 50%.

But, I, like you, wonder about all the expansion $ dumped into the MET and the area itself. Is it driven by demand? Or is it a "if we build it, it will come" philosophy?

I'm definitely on board with the retail development by Aldi. Tax income will pay for that I hope.

But dumping $ into the MET seems like a pipe dream. Have you seen the RV hookups GALORE out there? That's a lot of money right there.

Either way, I like seeing them vamping up my favorite area in the bham burbs. I miss Thirsty Thursdays at the MET!

[TimCity2000]

^ thirsty thursdays at regions field are MUCH better... if you haven't been, you should go.

pregaming at good people right before a game is pretty popular, too. really hoping these new developments in the adjacent blocks have restaurants/bars to add to this scene.