City Club approves scaled-back expansion

Members of the City Club overwhelmingly approved plans for a $2.1 million expansion of the downtown facility. That’s down from the $4.5 million project that members started discussing at the start of the year. “We scaled it back a little bit,” says Van Mayhall, the club’s current president. “We listened to members and they had reservations about the larger project.” The club also had reservations about its ability to secure tax credits, Mayhall says, which in turn raised concerns that debt on the initially proposed project would be too high. The expansion approved will add a new room, an exterior terrace and a second-floor banquet kitchen. Improvements will be made to the first-floor kitchen and handicapped elevator. The changes will expand the capacity of the club to host events by 20% to 25%. “That will put us in line to host some of the largest private events, like wedding receptions,” Mayhall says. “This will put our club in good stead for a long time.” Club officials are set to meet Thursday with architect Buddy Ragland to discuss the project and construction timetable. Mayhall says the work isn’t expected to disrupt scheduled bookings at the City Club. “It’s looking like we won’t have to close the club at all,” he says. —Timothy Boone