By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At the check presentation for Eiffel Tower upgrades in Paris Tuesday morning, State Commissioner of Tourist Development Mark Ezell said, “We’re here to help you celebrate what you’ve done here and to celebrate how strategically you’ve done it.”
Ezell, State Community Development Director Judy Sliger and Director of West Tennessee Tourism Marty Marbury presented a check for $43,203 in Tourism Enhancement monies to city officials. The monies are helping to finance upgrades that include a circular sidewalk around the Eiffel Tower, sidewalks that are ADA compliant on both sides of the Tower and a mini-stage that can be used for speakers or small groups of performers. The project is almost complete, with handrails still to be installed, as well as a kiosk directing tourists to other local attractions.
Ezell told the crowd of local and area officials on hand, “We’re going to keep spending money on tourism because it’s real money and tourism dollars benefit local communities local yours.”
He called the Eiffel Tower upgrades “a great utilization of your asset. You’ve done a really great job here. This is all about creating things that will bring more people here.”
Paris City Manager Kim Foster said, “We’re thrilled with the enhancements to our Eiffel Tower. We couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out.” She praised the city’s Public Works Department as well as the Parks and Recreation Department for their hard work. “They were out here sometimes in 95 to 98 degree heat getting this job done and they’ve done a great job,” she said.
State Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, also praised the improvements and the job that was done by the city workers.
Photo: State, city and area officials gather with Paris Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department workers for the check presentation. (Shannon McFarlin photo).
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