West Point City Council discuss event center application on West 4th Avenue

Published 11:00 am Thursday, September 26, 2019

By Donna Williams
Times-News

WEST POINT — The West Point City Council continued discussions Tuesday about a request to pay for a proposed event space using the city’s Revolving Loan Fund.

Kesha and Michael Coniglio presented their application at the meeting, explaining their plan to start a wedding and event space in the former Chattabrewchee location on West 4th Avenue. The business would also include prop rental for home stagers, wedding planners and movie crews. 

Email newsletter signup

Kesha Coniglio presented the company’s vision and potential impact on the community. Catering and food service for events would create jobs, according to the proposal. Events would create the need for hotel space and gas stations would see more traffic, according to the proposal. 

Coniglio told the council that her marketing background could help draw events from as far away as Roanoke, not only for the proposed event space, but for the Depot as well.

Her husband Michael’s experience is in event management as a college facilities director. The couple also plans to add an event planner to the leadership staff.

Jobs created from the project include 9 to 12 full-time employees throughout five years. The loan of $170,000 would be financed at 2 percent for 15 years. 

Kesha Coniglio is one of five candidates for three open spots on the West Point City Council. She faces incumbents Sandra Thornton, Jerry Ledbetter, Deedee Williams and non-incumbent Wiky Gladden.   

The council asked her whether that might be a conflict of interest.

Coniglio said she applied for the Revolving Loan Fund before deciding to run for office and did not see a potential conflict. As both her candidacy and fund application are undecided, the council will need to consider how one might affect the other. 

The public is invited to make comments on the potential project at the next city council work session Oct. 10.