Demolition of Big Chief Lodging started Monday, Feb. 22, accompanied by outrage among neighbors who received a letter from a Cedar Creek Lake real estate agent warning construction would soon begin there on a convention center for Gun Barrel City.
The real estate agent offered to help the residents sell their homes and relocate to other areas on Cedar Creek Lake to avoid noise and traffic the operation of the facility would bring.
Two of the residents said they viewed the letter as an opportunistic marketing ploy, and that it angered them. City officials discussed the possibility of developing a convention center on the site purchased earlier this year by the GBC Economic Development Center, but no one has presented such a plan for consideration by the City Council.
Such a decision would involve a lengthy process that would include public hearings.
The residents said they doubt the convention center would become a reality anytime soon because the city is operating on a tight budget.
The residents had expressed concern about noise and traffic possibly interfering with their quality of life if the facility is built, but they said the real estate agent's attempt to capitalize on their concerns annoyed them.
The residents complained to City Council members about the letter, and the officials contacted the owner of the real estate agency to voice concerns. The broker said he had no knowledge of the letter, and he decided to send a follow-up letter to the residents to apologize and acknowledge the inaccuracy of the communication.
One resident said he understood the real estate agent might lose her job over the incident.
Meanwhile, the demolition of the lodging and landing buildings that date back from 1966 began with the interiors of the buildings being cleared out.
After all of the buildings are torn down, the boat ramp will be opened to the public for boating. The remaining area will be available for the public to fish and enjoy picnics.
City officials will at a later date consider how else the property might be developed.