Gaylord Entertainment: Broken promises, racist policies and an insatiable appetite for feeding at the public trough
August 14, 2007 01:40 PM
Why is Gaylord an out-of-state developer that can’t be trusted?
Broken Promises
Broken Promises in Chula Vista
In Chula Vista, Gaylord agreed to give the construction and on-site jobs to the local workforce first, only to backtrack suddenly with no explanation. Gaylord also backed out of a promise to build an environmentally friendly convention center and tried to sneak in a larger building at the last minute without informing the community. Next they tried to play hardball by pretending to withdraw from the Chula Vista project altogether, only to announce their return within 30 days.
Broken Promises in Nashville, Tennessee
You would think they would at least treat their hometown with respect. But for an irresponsible company like Gaylord, only one thing matters — and it’s not the community. When Gaylord bought the Grand Ole Opry, they promised the community they would not make drastic changes to the beloved historic landmark. But within a few years, they turned it into a mall and sold it.
Broken Promises in Grapevine, Texas
According to The Dallas Morning News, officials in Grapevine, Texas, made it clear to Gaylord that they wanted the convention center Gaylord was building with public money to include “Opryland” in the name. Although Gaylord initially agreed, three years after opening they dropped “Opryland” from the name.
Broken Promises in Orlando, Florida
Public officials in Orlando who had put their trust in Gaylord found themselves in a similar position to their counterparts in Texas. After selling the project to taxpayers as “Opryland,” officials were left to explain why the hotel was called “Gaylord Palms” instead. One Orlando Sentinel columnist reported feeling “cheated” by the bait and switch.
Racist Policies
Chula Vista, California
Ensuring that Gaylord hired minority contractors to build their convention center was a priority for Prince George’s County officials. But Gaylord largely ignored the minority contract clause and said they would rather pay a fine than hire minority-owned businesses. According to the Associated Press, Gaylord’s Bennett Westbrook, the lead negotiator with Mayor Cox and Port Commissioners in Chula Vista, complained that the fines for refusing to work with minority contractors were “unfair.”
Feeding at the Public Trough
Chula Vista isn’t the only small town where Gaylord is getting a sweet deal …
Coming Back for More in Florida
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Gaylord struck a deal with the Osceola County Commission in 1998 for $90 million to build a convention center. Just seven years later, Gaylord bullied Osceola County into giving them more public money to expand, arguing that the current size would not allow the hotel to compete with Gaylord’s other convention business. Gaylord’s pattern in Florida is so well established, the Orlando Sentinel wrote that “Gaylord … is once again floating the idea of a major expansion subsidized by Osceola’s tourists …”
Gaylord Received the Largest Public Subsidy in Maryland History
Despite protest from the Maryland Taxpayers’ Association and despite a healthy profit margin, Gaylord received the largest public subsidy in Maryland history, according to the Associated Press.
Importing Foreign Workers
According to The Tennessean, Gaylord brought in 300 workers from Jamaica to fill service industry jobs. Will they do the same in Chula Vista? The only way to ensure Gaylord hires local workers first is to secure a project labor agreement. That’s the least Mayor Cox and Port Commissioners can ask of a company they plan on handing $300 million in public money.
