Hospitality Fund Projects

Overview

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Often monies from the Hospitality Fund have been used to match grants that the City would otherwise have not been able to apply for, for projects that would not have been possible without the Hospitality Fund.  Examples of this include Streetscaping Projects, Improvements to Wilson Hill Park, and planned upgrades to the Civic Center.

Some of the amazing projects this fund has made possible include:

The Livery Stable and Church Street Parking/Restroom Facility:

Before:

Livery Stable Before

After:

Livery Stable After

Presently, the Livery Stable hosts 15-20 weddings per year with an estimated economic impact of $8,000 each; for a total economic impact of $120,000-$160,000. The Livery Stable also plays host to a number of other events from banquets to craft vendors.

Church Street Parking

Parking Behind the Belmont:


Before:

Parking lot Behind Belmont Before

After:

Parking Lot After

The completion of the new City owned parking lot behind the Belmont Inn has created an additional 80+ parking spaces for Abbeville’s growing Downtown Business Community and Event Lineup, which hosts both local residents and tourist.

Historic Building Improvements:

Before:

Historic Building Before

After:

Historic Building After

The Hospitality Fund has also paved the way for Small Business Grants such as the Historic District Building Improvement Grant which is awarded to one Property Owner in the Historic District each year.  This Grant Program is critical to ensuring the long term viability of many of Downtown Abbeville’s Historic Buildings which are a key component of Tourism Generation for the City.

City Entrance Signage

Before:

Entrance Sign After

After: 

Entrance Sign After

The City is working to complete the installation of both entrance signage and Historic District Signage which will help to provide a welcoming first impression of our City to visitors.

Improvements to Wilson Hill Park

After: (No Before Photos readily Available)

Budget Cover

Untitled design (64)

Improvements to Wilson Hill Park include a covered picnic and event area, basketball courts, parking, and restroom facilities are planned for the Spring of 2020. 

Events and Festivals

The Hospitality Fund has also been critical to ensuring the successful operation and Growth of the Spring Festival, as well as the Hogs and Hens Festival; both of which have an enormous positive economic impact on Downtown Businesses and the City as a whole.  Funds are used for Festival Operation and to Market the City’s Festivals and Event Lineup.

Spring Festival

Drone Photo

Stage Area Full Night

Hogs and HensCraft Vendors

Smokin the City

Live Concert SeriesFred Engler Photo

Civic Center Improvements

Funding has also been set aside from Hospitality Revenues to fund the potential construction of a new Civic Center or upgrades/additions to the current facility.  The Abbeville Civic Center plays host to a number of events from Basketball Games, the Chamber Annual Banquet, National Night Out, in addition to a number of private event such as Birthday Parties, Family Reunions, and Receptions.

Civic Center

Coming Soon! E. Pickens Streetscape Project

Funds were used from the Hospitality Fund to match $400,000 in Grant funding from the DOT to facilitate a Streetscape Project which will take place on E. Pickens and wrap behind the Courthouse and Opera House on Clarence E. Pressley Ave. back up to Washington Street.

E. Pickens Streetscape

New for 2020

Beginning in the City’s FY 2020 the Hospitality Fund will help to support the Opera House both operationally and with planned necessary improvements to ensure the facility remains viable for years to come.  

These capital improvements include:

Sound & Lighting, Roof Repairs, HVAC, and other Structural Improvements.  Other additional repairs are also possible depending on if grants which have been applied for are awarded.

It is the belief that the economic impact generated from Opera House events will help to simultaneously support local economic activity and grow the Hospitality Fund.  More information on this economic impact can be found in the economic impact tab.

Image of Opera House Exterior

Other Smaller projects the Hospitality Fund has supported include:

Business Recruitment Programs

Facade Program

Square Brick Repairs

Streetscape Projects and more.  Full records are available by looking at previous year’s City Budgets available in the Finance Section of the City’s Website.