The bicycle race originally planned for June 1 in Uptown Athens will no longer take place this summer, but might be rescheduled for next fall if race supporters can raise about $1,900.
City officials met with the Athens County Conventions and Visitors Bureau, a local group supporting the race, and Race Promoter Tym Tyler on March 31 to tell the group that they were responsible for all fees relating to the race ' an estimated cost of $1,900.
It was quite excessive
Tyler said. The group did not have the money and could not raise it between now and June, said Athens County Conventions and Visitors Bureau's Marketing Coordinator Gina Geremia.
Taxpayers usually cover street events such as the annual International Street Fair and Halloween, but because the bicycle race would encompass multiple streets, it poses a bigger concern for council members, said Mayor Paul Wiehl.
There are no hardened and clear set policies for who gets charged and who doesn't Wiehl said.
Council was about to vote to block off portions of Court, West State, Congress, West Washington and West Union streets at last night's council meeting when they decided to drop the topic to gather more information, said Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward.
Wiehl said that council members were not familiar with the race's key players and that he wants a local name and face to organize the race.
I take ownership for some of the miscommunications Butler said.
He said that council hopes to collaborate with Tyler, Wiehl and Service-Safety Director Paula Horan-Moseley to recommit to the project and give it a boost.
If the race plans solidify for fall, Geremia said that she hopes to really beef up the volunteer base in order to raise more money and increase the size of the prizes.
17
Archives
Caitlin McGlade
