27-02-2025
Corbin City Council allocates $3.5 million for Tourism Initiative projects, reports from city departments
CORBIN — At the recent Corbin City Council meeting, significant strides were made in advancing local infrastructure and community services.
The council approved the allocation of $3.5 million, designated exclusively for House Bill 1 projects under the City of Corbin Tourism Initiative. This funding will facilitate the expansion of The Corbin Center.
'Our beautiful Corbin Center will be expanded, and it's going to be fabulous and wonderful, so keep your eyes up on the hill,' stated Mayor Suzie Razmus.
The expansion aims to add 15,500 square feet to the existing facility, increasing its total meeting space to 36,434 square feet. The new design will feature a versatile main room capable of seating 520 guests for banquets and accommodating up to 800 for auditorium-style events.
In conjunction with this development, a new Marriott property is set to open adjacent to The Corbin Center on November 1, 2025. This dual-branded hotel will house Fairfield Inn and TownePlace Suites, offering a combined total of 113 rooms. A covered walkway will connect the hotels directly to The Corbin Center, providing seamless access for event attendees.
City Manager James Scott 'Scotty' Williamson reported that bids are currently being accepted for roof repairs on the Civic Center, noting, 'The roof is in really, really bad shape.'
He also commended city service departments for their resilience during recent severe weather events, specifically from flooding and the snowstorm earlier in the month. 'We dodged a bullet when it comes to flood damage,' Williamson said, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the efforts.
Regarding the city's entertainment venues, Williamson mentioned that two major shows are contracted for the upcoming summer and fall seasons; however, specific details remain confidential due to contractual agreements.
The council addressed administrative matters, revealing that there are currently 245 active liens. Efforts are underway, in collaboration with City Attorney Bob Hammons, to review and reduce this number.
Fire Chief Barry McDonald reported on the deployment of a six-man team to Manchester during the recent floods. The team was the first to discover a deceased individual resulting from the flooding. The state government may provide reimbursement for the team's assistance.
At the Sanitation Department, the city is considering implementing limit charges for individuals disposing of large volumes of waste due to ongoing overuse.
'Last year, we paid about $680,000 to dump garbage; we can't take that burden on without being reimbursed,' Mayor Razmus stated.
Tourism Director Nancy Conley announced that the fiscal year 2024-2025 audit returned with no deficiencies. She also highlighted several upcoming March events including a bull riding event, a Mardi Gras celebration, the Shamrock Spirit Shuffle, and Food Week.
Additionally, the Fire and Police Departments will host a chili cook-off at the Depot on March 18.
