Bronner: Mobile's future is bright

Originally published by the Mobile Press Register

Friday, October 26, 2007

By GEORGE TALBOT Business Reporter

Be impatient.

That's the characteristically terse advice David Bronner had for Mobile on Thursday, when the chief executive of the Retirement Systems of Alabama was honored for his work to improve the state.

"Mobile's future is extremely bright. Huge steps have been made in the last seven years," said Bronner, who received the Rotary Club of Mobile's inaugural Person of Vision in America award at a dinner ceremony. "It is your choice to continue to push Mobile forward or merely sit at home. I encourage you to be impatient and push, push, push."

In three decades at RSA, Bronner has aggressively used the state's $31 billion public pension fund to promote Alabama. His signature investment is the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a renowned collection of 26 golf courses and hotels that has helped make the state a tourist destination.

In downtown Mobile, he bankrolled construction of the $220 million, 35-story RSA Battle House Tower and adjacent Battle House Hotel, where Thursday's dinner was held. RSA also bought and spent $60 million renovating the Riverview Plaza Hotel.
Bronner was recognized for those and other investments with the Rotary award, which included a bronze statue created by local sculptor Casey Downing.

But in a brief speech before about 200 local business leaders, the blunt-talking Bronner did not reflect on past achievements. Instead, he gave his audience a list of five marching orders, including:

Land a second cruise ship to complement Carnival Corp.'s Holiday, which has served the city since 2004.

"We've got to put more emphasis on accomplishing that. I know we've been working as hard as we can, but we've got to be successful," he said. "Get it done."

Improve downtown's entertainment district.

"I mean good restaurants, things to do, the arts -- that's what makes a city vibrant," he said, adding that the city's Lower Dauphin Street area was inadequate. "I know you tried before and you created a whiskey alley over there. We need to upgrade that. Make it an entertainment area where old people and kids are safe and have a good time."

Recruit bigger and better conventions to the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.

"You now have two of the best hotels in the world attached to it. We need to take it to a new level where it's never been before. There are no more reasons for nonperformance. No more excuses."

Demand that the Alabama Legislature find new revenue sources for the state's general fund.
The fund is facing a $250 million shortfall, Bronner said, and "is probably in its worst condition since George Wallace was governor."

"If (lawmakers) consider gaming, and that may be the easiest thing for them because we hate taxes in Alabama, do not allow them to say Mobile can have it only at the dog track. If they do it, make them do it down here because it would be critical to your entertainment district."
Support education.

"I don't understand the morons down here who ran away one of the great superintendents in the state of Alabama," he said, drawing applause for his recognition of Mobile County schools Superintendent Harold Dodge.

"But if you think you want to go on, do whatever you have to do to improve your schools at every level. Education is why every one of you is in this room. Education is what will make this community a success."