The Savannah Rock 'n' Roll Marathon was renewed for another three years, through 2021, but not without controversy.
One of the terms of agreement is an annual payment of $25,000 to the Marathon, courtesy of taxpayers, which drew concern from two members of Savannah City Council.
Alderman Bill Durrence said it makes no sense to continue paying the for-profit Marathon when non-profits continue to have to pay the City for the right to hold events.
"I cannot support this and will not go for it," he said.
When it was confirmed that there will be no chance to renegotiate the contract for another three years, Durrence said, "That's three times the reason not to vote for it."
Defenders of the event say it nets at least one million dollars into the local economy.
Alderman Brian Foster said the $25,000 a year is essentially for selling Savannah as a destination city to a broader, national audience, and as such "from a marketing standpoint is a fairly reasonable fee to pay."
However, even Foster admitted that Savannah's calendar is more full than it was when the Marathon was first brought here in 2010 during the great recession — particularly that weekend in November concurrent with the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.
"At the time we were desperate to get an event like this when hotel occupancy was low," he said.
Alderman Van Johnson, while voting in favor of the contract extension, also voiced concerns, saying "there is a tipping point" where the event will eventually cost more to host than it brings in.…
One of the terms of agreement is an annual payment of $25,000 to the Marathon, courtesy of taxpayers, which drew concern from two members of Savannah City Council.
Alderman Bill Durrence said it makes no sense to continue paying the for-profit Marathon when non-profits continue to have to pay the City for the right to hold events.
"I cannot support this and will not go for it," he said.
When it was confirmed that there will be no chance to renegotiate the contract for another three years, Durrence said, "That's three times the reason not to vote for it."
Defenders of the event say it nets at least one million dollars into the local economy.
Alderman Brian Foster said the $25,000 a year is essentially for selling Savannah as a destination city to a broader, national audience, and as such "from a marketing standpoint is a fairly reasonable fee to pay."
However, even Foster admitted that Savannah's calendar is more full than it was when the Marathon was first brought here in 2010 during the great recession — particularly that weekend in November concurrent with the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.
"At the time we were desperate to get an event like this when hotel occupancy was low," he said.
Alderman Van Johnson, while voting in favor of the contract extension, also voiced concerns, saying "there is a tipping point" where the event will eventually cost more to host than it brings in.…