The Times Daily's little report card on the RSA project in today's paper (1/13) seems to have missed a very significant item of information. Under terms of the agreement between RSA and ARH (Alabama Real Estate Holdings--RSA's land management arm), the Mariott resort facility was to be a "FOUR STAR QUALITY" establishment. The ratings of such establishments, by the AAA and by Mobil travel guides and by other services that assign quality ratings to hotels, restaurants, etc. nowhere assign a 4 star or comparable rating (AAA uses diamonds) rather than stars)to the Shoals mariott. AAA gives them 3 diamonds, the same rating earned by numerous motels such as Hampton Inns and Holiday express facilities that are all over the state and region.
The agreement specifies penalties--$$$$ MONETARY penalties for failure to achieve the 4 star rating for 12 consecutive months. It appears probable that Shoals Marriott can not achieve the 4 Star rating until, at the earliest, the next time AAA comes out with ratings, which will be a year from the time the current ratings were published (Can you count to 12?)
The Times Daily staff is, and for some time has been, well aware of this apparent deficiency in performance, but had published NOTHING about it. Is it the business of the news media to simply report the A's and B's on RSA's report card and pretend the D's and F's don't exist???!!!
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