• 68°

Mayor seeks funds for conference center

By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Conventioneers may soon be able to choose Madison as a next conference site.
Mayor Jan Wells says she'd like to see the city purchase the Spencer Square shopping center on Madison Boulevard and convert the former Food World grocery store building into a conference center.
Wells, along with her aide, Michele Miller, recently traveled to the city Fairhope in Baldwin County to see how that city converted a former grocery store into a new conference center and city offices. The mayor said having a conference center near existing hotels along Madison Boulevard would complement the growing city.
"Madison simply doesn't have enough meeting space to hold large gatherings and purchasing the shopping center and converting the former Food World grocery store into a conference center would be an excellent opportunity to complete Madison as a city," Wells said.
Mayor Wells said she met with Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant and took a tour of the city's new conference center prior to the holidays.
"The building that was used in Fairhope was a lot older than the Food World building here in Madison, but the city did a wonderful job in converting it into a very nice conference center and city offices," Wells said. "The Food World building is roughly 45,000 square feet in size. That is a good-sized building to hold large conferences in."
Wells said the Tennessee Valley Authority has an entity that could help in figuring out what would need to be done to the Food World building to convert it into a conference center. She said she would also meet with conference-oriented officials to see what they look for in a conference center and what Madison would need to host future meetings.
Once the mayor gathers all of the necessary information about her plan, she will present it to the city council for its approval.

Bob Jones High School

Central Office chooses Sellers as top staff member

Events

Huntsville City Football Club to continue first homestand at Joe Davis Stadium 

Huntsville

Joint statement from the city of Huntsville, city of Madison, and Madison County on U.S. Space Command investigation

Huntsville

Strong, Rogers launch investigation into delayed U.S. Space Command HQ announcement 

Events

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic to be held on Memorial Day weekend

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

At Age 89 Charles Terrell To Walk The 5K Cotton Row Run With Three Daughters Alongside

Business

Gun store’s proximity to schools sparks debate at city council meeting

Digital Version

The Madison Record digital version – May 24, 2023 – Special Graduation Issue

Events

Para-Cycling Road World Cup puts athletes and Huntsville on world stage

James Clemens High School

‘Teacher of the Year’ at Horizon goes to Rebecca Wilson

Events

Crews prepare for this weekend’s Alabama Jubilee in Decatur

Madison

Rotary Club honors Madison’s employees of the year

Events

Eats 4 Education food truck event to support The Schools Foundation set for Thursday

Events

Make Music Day Huntsville encourages residents to let their talents shine on June 21

Madison

Local churches join together to build new church in TN

Madison

Jets, Patriots baseball have plenty of college-bound players

Madison

Sparkman Softball makes deep playoff run

Events

Local author Jennifer S. Kelly will share “Derby” stories at Madison Library’s Author’s Talk this evening

Huntsville

Calhoun to manage scholarships for Huntsville Utilities and TVA addressing lineworker shortage

James Clemens High School

Meleighsa McLaughlin named ‘Teacher of the Year’ at James Clemens

Madison

Rocket City Trash Pandas win final three games of Barons series

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Para-Cycling World Cup Racing In North Alabama- Huge Event Memorial Day Weekend At Cummings Research Park

Bob Jones High School

Page credits others for ‘Teacher of the Year’ honor

Events

The 2023 Asbury Car & Bike Show planned for Saturday

x