By Malcolm Butler
The future of Delta Biscuit Company took another significant step toward opening Monday night as the Ruston City Council approved financing measures for the downtown redevelopment project while also increasing residential garbage collection rates and advancing plans for a hotel at the Ruston Sports Complex.
The council unanimously approved an ordinance levying a 1.75% Economic Development District (EDD) sales tax for the former federal building, where Delta Biscuit Company is nearing completion. The tax will help reimburse eligible development costs associated with rehabilitating the historic structure.
“It’s the same thing we’ve done for Hobby Lobby, for Buc-ee’s, for Power &Water,” said Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker following the meeting. “When people go and eat there, that 1.75% goes to the development.”
The City of Ruston frequently uses Economic Development Districts to help offset the high costs of restoring historic buildings.
“We do that especially on historical buildings because it’s so expensive,” he said.
Developer Joe Holyfield thanked the mayor, City Council and the community for supporting the project, which he described as the most challenging of his career.
“This job has been the toughest job I’ve had in my 50 years of construction,” Holyfield said. “But it’s all worth it.”
Holyfield said crews encountered numerous unforeseen construction challenges while renovating the former federal building, including massive concrete footings extending deep underground.
“We made it past all those things and are making good progress,” Holyfield said. He said the restaurant remains on schedule for a fall opening.
The council also unanimously approved an ordinance increasing the city’s monthly residential garbage collection fee from $6 to $10 beginning with the August billing cycle. Public Works Director John Freeman said the increase is necessary because of rising operating costs.
“No one likes to increase the cost of services, but the cost of equipment, material, fuel and all those things continues to rise,” said Freeman, who noted that when he moved to Ruston in 1988, the monthly residential garbage fee was $4.
In other action, the council approved a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement and the sale of city property to facilitate construction of a full-service hotel adjacent to the Ruston Sports Complex.
Walker said the hotel is being designed to meet the needs of youth sports tournaments and other events held at the complex.
Among the requirements included in the agreement are that at least 80% of the guest rooms feature two queen beds and that the hotel include meeting space capable of hosting press conferences and similar functions.
“That would be the host hotel for most events,” Walker said during the meeting.
Walker said the developer is expected to return next week to execute final agreements with the city, although he said the developer’s identity has not yet been publicly released.
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