Huntsville Could Lose $15 Million In Revenue

Sydney Martin reports from outside City Hall to discuss what Mayor Tommy Battle said about the reopening plans.

Deaths.

2 deaths in colbert county.

Tonight we're taking an in-depth look at the economy and what you can expect.

Today huntsville mayor tommy battle said the city will lose at least $15 million because of coronavirus.

A lot of that money directly tied to restaurants and bars.

Waay 31 sydney martin joins us live outside city hall where the mayor said he hoped governor ivey would let the restaurants open on friday.

Didn't happen.

>> dan, mayor tommy battle said he submitted a plan to governor kay ivey, it included how to ensure restaurants reopened safely and that plan he said he suggested no more than four people at a table, tables six feet apart and anyone who touches food to have imlof thes and a mask on.

>> mayor battle: mike roberts colognes the sports page.

His plan to reopen is similar to what mayor tommy battle suggested.

>> get all the social distancing to the tables and everything set up.

>> wednesday battle admitted fully reopening restaurants and bars are a priority but understands the state's concerns.

>> mayor battle: birmingham is a hotspot.

If you open in huntsville do you want birmingham to come here?

>> sales tax revenue from the last month shows the impact of curbside and delivery only restaurants.

>> mayor battle: we had about 11 good days and the rest of it was very little for restaurants.

>> add empty hotels and convention centers to the financial pain.

>> mayor battle: we were down 40% lodging taxes.

We expect to go down 80% in lodging taxes.

Our overall hit is going to be around $15 million.

Could go to $20 million if you want to count in some of your secondaries subsidiaries you such as van braun center t museums and some of the others.

>> just like so many of you the mayor is worried about reopening businesses before a loss of money forces them to close their doors for good.

>> mayor battle: we've got to learn how to do this in such a way that we don't spread a virus, very fine line.

We don't spread the virus but we can also live in and our industries can live, too.

>> back of the sports page is what roberts hopes to see.

>> we will do whatever we've got to do.

We've got so many great regulars in this community.

>> battle says he's hoping to get restaurants, hair salon, gyms, barber shops an idea of when they can reopen r open and this date by tend of next week but ultimately that