City will pursue National Register for bayfront golf

The 1949 landmark bayfront miniature golf course, whose support from Mayor Joe Boles and others on the commission was not clear at this same time, last year; has been provided authorization to use up to $5,000 from city reserves to pursue a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Now that a permanent lease has been awarded to Ripley’s Entertainment for the continued operation of the city-owned facility, Director of Building and Planning, Mark Knight, told the commission the timing was right to navigate the application and approval process, as well as the expected cost.

The request appeared on last night’s “consent agenda” — all of which was approved on a 4-0 vote of the commission. Commissioner Leanna Freeman did not attend the meeting. Also approved, without discussion, as part of the consent agenda; $17,000 will be paid out of reserves to replace the carpet in the Alcazar Room and the Alcazar Conference Room.

At a prior Monday meeting, May 14, 2012, after the city had stalled on a contract renewal for the operator of the facility, and it seemed that Boles was following his own path to use the space as a venue for weddings, the commission chamber was filled to capacity with unhappy residents; leading the mayor to refer to further discussion as the only “hot button” issue of the night.