A study designed to guide Maryland's government if it decides to dole out money for proposed conference centers gave Annapolis high marks, but did not encourage the state to invest immediately in the city.
The report by the consulting firm of Coopers & Lybrand concluded that of eight conference centers proposed in Maryland, the state should give top priority to the expansion of the Ocean City Convention Center. Annapolis tied for second with a proposed conference center in Montgomery County.
The consultants said an Annapolis center would provide a return for the state's investment second only to Ocean City, but that the larger Montgomery center, possibly in Rockville, would generate more money.
After reading the study yesterday, both sides in the highly charged debate over a proposed conference center in Annapolis declared victory.
"We think this study confirms that this is a viable economic project not just for the city and county but for the state as a whole," said Peggy Wall, executive vice president of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau.
But critics said the study tables the project indefinitely.
The report recommends that the state delay any investment in the Annapolis proposal until it can be determined whether the larger Montgomery County project is a success.
"The study absolutely puts off Annapolis as a potential site," said Cynthia L. Eckard, a community activist opposed to the project.
Conference center supporters say the project will make Annapolis attractive to the organizers of some of the 40 trade shows in the state each year. Meetings and conventions would yield $400,000 a year in hotel room taxes alone, they contend.
Critics say the region has too many conference centers already and the project would squander taxpayer dollars. The only groups to benefit, they say, would be Annapolis restaurants and hotels.
The Maryland Stadium Authority commissioned the $100,000 study to guide legislators as they consider eight proposed conference center projects and expansions in the state.
"One of the study's goals was to not allow anybody to build too many conference centers at once, so that one doesn't cannibalize the other," Bruce H. Hoffman, executive director of the Maryland Stadium Authority, said.
The study included proposals in Annapolis, Montgomery County, Ocean City, College Park, Hagerstown, Rocky Gap and St. Mary's County.
The expansion of the Baltimore Convention Center was not included in the study because work there has started, Mr. Hoffman said.
Despite the study, it is uncertain whether the state ever will grant money to one or all of the proposed conference centers, he said. "There's no commitment from the state to make sure any of these conference centers get built," he said.
The Annapolis conference center proposal died last year when the project's supporters failed to get money from the Maryland legislature.
But the conference center campaign reappeared in December, when advocates urged the city government to spend $140,000 on a traffic, environmental impact and economic viability study for a proposed 6-acre site at West Street and Taylor Avenue.
The Finance Committee will decide today whether to grant a portion of that city funding for the project, and the city council will take up the matter Feb. 13.