Pryor, Lincoln, Ross Announce Nearly $5 Million for Bathhouse Row Restoration

Pryor, Lincoln, Ross Announce Nearly $5 Million for Bathhouse Row Restoration

WASHINGTON D.C. - Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln and Congressman Mike Ross today announced final passage of $4.99 million for the rehabilitation of the Hale, Ozark and Quapaw bathhouses in Hot Springs National Park.

Members of the delegation said the $4.99 million earmark to renovate and restore the Hot Springs bathhouses is included as part of the Fiscal Year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill. He said the restoration effort is intended to make the bathhouses suitable for leasing to private developers as part of a long-term project to use public and private resources to redevelop Bathhouse Row for future use.

"The congressional delegation, alongside the Hot Springs community, and I fought hard for this funding because we all appreciate the historic and economic value of restoring bathhouse row," Pryor said. "This funding will go far toward the preservation of the bathhouses, and I will continue to fight for critical resources to enhance our state's unique attractions."

"I am proud to announce that the Omnibus Appropriations Package for the upcoming fiscal year contains over $5.659 million for projects located in Hot Springs, including nearly $4.9 million to continue the restoration efforts to Bathhouse Row - the full amount requested by the Arkansas delegation. Restoring these bathhouses has been one of my top priorities since entering Congress. The continued improvements of Bathhouse Row will increase the recognition of Hot Springs nationally, and that means more jobs and economic opportunities for the area," Ross said.