First, be sure to watch this week's City Council meeting, held the day after the community meeting, where Ladd was discussed at some length at this link: http://www.cityofmobile.org/livestream/
The meeting at Williamson began with a brief presentation by the Mayor, reinforcing his position that it will be more costly to repair and maintain Ladd as it is than give 500,000 annually to USA for 20 years and repurpose Ladd as a smaller and less costly venue. It is fair to characterize the audience as not receptive to that news. It is also fair to say most audience members were not equipped with realistic perceptions of the cost to maintain Ladd, the income projections if USA leaves, and the resulting bottom line. Therefore, their approach was emotional rather than factual.
The audience submitted written questions which were sorted into about 22 categories, all directed to the Mayor. He answered the questions in varying degrees of completeness. When asked what would be done with Ladd he said that he has no preconceived plan but was seeking input. Because he had no definitive plan, he also could not say what dollar amount he was willing to commit to a repurposed Ladd plan. He stated in general terms a desire to support high school football with a smaller venue and offer on the Ladd property improved community facilities. He named a developed walking trail and amphitheater for music and other events, and other amenities in a park-like setting.
The audience was largely from Maysville. They expressed a very emotional reaction against the move of the bowl and "classic" games to USA, stating these were part of their neighborhood culture and heritage that were being taken from them. The Mayor's responses were unable to draw much support there.
At the Council meeting the next day, the Mayor challenged the Council and community to bring a plan to him. The CEO of the Senior Bowl spoke to Council and flatly stated the Senior Bowl is definitely moving to the South stadium. He explained that the NFL partners to Senior Bowl are demanding an extended "event" that goes beyond just a game, and that Ladd is land-locked and cannot provide the type of extended activities possible at the USA site. Watch the video to hear the city financial director explain that Ladd income averages $1M annually, but $900,000 of that comes from USA and Senior and Dollar General bowl games. It is clear that the remaining $100,000 cannot maintain and support a 40,000 seat stadium for the 4 high schools using Ladd (any of whom may elect to play at USA instead of Ladd, since high schools pay rent to play at Ladd, a fact most Mobilians do not realize.)
Mr. Small indicated if the vote were today, he would have to vote against the money to USA. Mr. Richardson seemed to support the money to USA, stating his belief that the tax revenue from game visitors would offset the amount given. Mr. Manzie said the city is about to face the same issue when Bay Bears leave in 2019 at Hank Aaron stadium, and pointed out the Civic Center and Gulfquest facilities also being in the red. "Mobile," he said, "has a stadium problem." He said the decisions to be made should not be rushed and should consider all of these floundering facilities.
The Council is due to vote on July 31 but ended the meeting on the 25th seeming to back away from that deadline.