City proposes plan for post oil spill

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - The city of Mobile has come up with some big ideas to recover from the crude crisis. The mayor's office is hoping to shore up some BP cash to bring in big attractions to the port city.

The report was recently presented to Governor Bob Riley.

A Mobile tourism official tells Fox Ten News that hotel, restaurant and tourism revenue is down about 30 percent, and if the city can get funding from BP, these ideas can put the city back on it's feet.

City officials hope to put this oil crisis behind them and build up future tourism dollars.

"We have to have an aggressive and ambitious strategy to regain market share and size," the CEO of the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Leon Maisel said.

In it there are big ideas like professional exhibition games, Broadway shows, concerts and exhibits with international interest. You can take a look at some of the proposals here .

"Events that will continue on and on," added Maisel.

However, this all depends on tourism grants from BP. Maisel says the mayor's office is aggressively pursuing that. But if the money is secured, these plans could hit the ground running right away, and some folks downtown feel the city could use it.

"Broadway, pro sports, anything," said one man.

"More concerts, more things happening in Bienville Square," added one woman.

The plans also include a celebrity host for the Moonpie drop. But the most ambitious idea is a series of sports events; softball, tennis, wrestling championships, and even NBA and NFL exhibition games.

"That would be a great way to get people in and get things lively," one man said in downtown Mobile.

The New Orleans Saints have proven themselves as world champs, but one fan thinks they should come to Mobile for a special game.

"I would say maybe the Colts. Give 'em a rematch. I would say they're feeling pretty bad right now," the Saints fan said.

It's a big dream that could revitalize the Mobile area. But this big dream requires big money from BP.

The tourism official says this boost in tourism could lead to more hotels, restaurants, revitalizing the local economy.

He also says if EADS wins the tanker contract that could certainly be a big boost as well.