Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Director of Community Engagement Josh Alsip, standing at left, moderates Thursday’s panel on tourism featuring, left to right, Capital Improvement Board President Chris Switzer, Terre Haute Children’s Museum Executive Director Susan Turner, Charlie’s Pub and Grub owner Cheyne O’Laughlin and Tim Dora, Dora Hotel Company president. David Kronke/Tribune-Star
First impressions matter when seeking to have a tourist revisit an area, said panelists at the Tourism Update at the Terre Haute Convention Center on Thursday morning. The event was sponsored by the city, the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and RJL Solutions.
While discussing developing destinations, Tim Dora, president of Dora Hotel Co., said that a positive first impression is important for guests in the hotel industry.
“As opposed to someone saying, ‘Man, this is a dump,’” he added. “If later you somehow drop the ball, they’ll be more understanding. You want to keep an upwards spiral.”
Cheyne O’Laughlin, owner of Charlie’s Pub and Grub and the Terminal, agreed.
“If you want to get people in, you have to create a space that’s attractive,” he said. “You want people to come back.”
The panel, which was moderated by Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Director of Community Engagement Josh Alsip, also featured Chris Switzer, Vigo County Commissioner and president of the Capital Improvement Board, and Terre Haute Children's Museum Executive Director Susan Turner.
It’s no wonder Terre Haute is fast becoming a tourist destination, Turner said.
“We offer a variety … restaurants, hotels and culture, with museums and parks,” she said. “We have everything for everyone. Terre Haute has a great mix of things you can do.”
Still, there’s the problem of much to see, but not a lot of places to stay — at least downtown. Dora opined that there aren’t enough hotel rooms in the proximity of the convention center. The Hilton Garden Inn has 109 rooms, the Candlewood Suite has 97.
“Around the convention center, we can meet [tourists], but we can’t sleep them,” he said. “That limits our ability to attract larger groups.”
Dora is working with Greg Gibson on a downtown hotel project on the old Vigo County School Corp. property. It would add a Courtyard by Marriott, a Residence Inn, ground-level parking and possibly skywalks to the parking garage across Wabash Avenue and the Hilton Garden Inn across Seventh Street.
Dora spoke of the project that would benefit the convention center and displayed an illustration of what it would look like on completion.
The Marriott Courtyard will add 120 rooms, Residence Inn another 90. All told, 400 rooms will be within walking distance of the convention center. On such projects, Dora said in an interview, “We try to get the best hotel brand we can, like Hilton or Marriott, and just build the nicest facility that we can — clean, well-maintained and creative.
“We’re on calls every day with architects, trying to fine-tune some of the intricacies of it,” he added. “We have to submit drawings to Marriott for their review and to get their comments. We’re moving along quickly.”
The former school headquarters building will be torn down this winter, and he and Gibson will request bids on the hotel construction project from contractors.
“We think we’ve got financing lined up and will get it under construction as soon as we can — we’re hoping second quarter of next year,” Dora said.
The Larry Bird Museum, located within the convention center, is another reason tourism is growing.
Switzer again credited the food and beverage tax with helping get the convention center built, and the Bird Museum with getting the Legislature to approve the tax, which brings in between $200,000 and $250,000 a month.
The Bird Museum was originally budgeted at $1.5 million and ultimately cost $2.3 million. Switzer said, “It’s bringing in people from all over the country.”
O’Laughlin said, “Customers [at his restaurants] are in [town] for the Bird Museum. Tourism grows the business, and business builds the appeal.”
Turner said maintaining a tourist destination like the Children’s Museum is not a cheap proposition: A typical museum exhibit costs between $75,000 and $300,000, and the downtown attraction is in dire need of a makeover.
It’s 14 years old and has seen 700,000 visitors, she said, adding, “Children are vicious on the wear and tear on a building.”
A capital campaign to raise $7 million for the museum will begin in January.
Turner’s big goal is to close Eighth Street between Wabash Avenue and Ohio Street to make room for an outdoor playscape, a science-focused outdoor museum and a green space.
The Swope Art Museum also is getting a facelift.
Switzer said the Indiana Theatre needs a makeover, as well: The roof needs repairs, the heating and cooling must be replaced and the venue must be in accord with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.
Architectural firm StudioAxis architects conducted a feasibility study that found it would take nearly $30 million to transform it into the Taj Mahal of theaters, but Switzer suggested it doesn’t really need to be that elegant.
“I don’t know if [spending] $30 million is a good idea,” Switzer admitted, saying something more in ballpark of $10 million is preferable, as is seeking a private partner to invest in the renovation.
“It only moves forward with public funds,” he said.
Additionally, it was announced that the city’s community plan is being updated and will be out this winter.
The CVB is updating the city’s website with the Simpleview platform, which will launch in January and be the go-to source to locate a listing of events throughout the city.
Amidst all the upbeat rhetoric and projections, Turner took a break to chide the city’s naysayers.
“I constantly beat the drum for Terre Haute,” she said. “When I see people bash it on social media, it infuriates me. It’s better than most places. I’m proud to say I’m from Terre Haute.”
The Tourism Update concluded with a series of round table discussions. For appearing at the event, each panelist received a “Terredise” cap.
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