Fort Worth wants voters to approve hotel tax hike for convention center overhaul
April 26,2024
See full Fort Worth Business Press article by Rick Mauch here.
How much of a difference can 2% make? If you’re talking about body fat, most folks would be thrilled at such a number. But on Saturday, May 4, voters in Fort Worth will reveal how much 2% means to them in terms of a hotel occupancy tax rate, and if it’s worth asking visitors to pay a little more to help renovate the Fort Worth Convention Center.
The convention center is undergoing major renovations and passage of Proposition A will help pay for them. Also known as “the Venue Project,” the proposition calls for the levy of a new venue hotel occupancy tax not to exceed 2% of the cost of a room, with the funds to be used to finance the project.
If Proposition A is approved the maximum hotel occupancy tax rate would be 17%.
Michael Crum, director of the city’s Public Events Department, said the total cost of the renovations is estimated at $606 million. They include demolishing the arena that opened in 1968 and, in its place, building more exhibit hall space, a second ballroom, and increasing the inventory of meeting rooms.
Crum said the city will also renovate the current convention space in the building, which has not received any significant investment since the early 2000s.
“The improvements should raise Fort Worth’s profile as a convention and meetings destination, attracting more conventions and larger conventions, supporting the 30,000-plus Fort Worth residents who work in Fort Worth’s $3.4 billion hospitality industry,” Crum said.
The project and Proposition A are receiving strong support from numerous leaders throughout the city. Bob Jameson, president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth, said it is important for voters to remember what kind of tax they are being asked to increase.
“We must pass Prop A to create more support for local jobs and businesses from conventions who want to meet in Fort Worth. Supporting this measure means expanding the convention center using hotel taxes, not property taxes, and avoiding costly delays,” Jameson, said.
The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce issued a joint statement endorsing Proposition A.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, while not allowed to encourage folks in either direction, nonetheless stressed the importance of casting a vote.
“It is against state law for me to use my position to advocate for the passage or defeat of this item,” Parker said. “However, I wholeheartedly encourage residents to get out to the polls and have their voices heard by voting on this and all ballot items.”
Early voting is now underway and concludes April 30 for Fort Worth citizens who registered to vote on or before April 4. For more information on the hotel occupancy tax rate proposition, visit TogetherFW.com.
For early voting locations and for information about other cities and jurisdictions holding elections on May 4, visit the Tarrant County elections website.
Here is the statement issued by the presidents/CEOs of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce (Steve Montgomery), Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Anette Landeros), and Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (Michelle Green-Ford) in support of Proposition A:
“This initiative, critical for expediting phase 2 of the Fort Worth Convention Center’s expansion, is a forward-thinking measure designed to significantly enhance our local economy and create job opportunities across our vibrant city, all without increasing the sales and property tax burden on our members or impacting the City’s general fund.
“The expansion will dramatically increase the Convention Center’s annual attendance from 780,000 to an impressive 1.2 million and double hotel bookings per year. This surge not only promises to create countless jobs but also significantly boosts local businesses, from restaurants to retail shops, by attracting more out-of-town visitors and their spending into our economy.
“Currently, Fort Worth’s Convention Center, ranking 47th in exhibit hall space despite the city’s status as the 13th most populous in the U.S., requires more space to stay competitive for top meetings. By modernizing and expanding our Convention Center, we can secure Fort Worth’s place as a premier destination for large-scale events, capturing significant business and tourism opportunities back to our city from other locales with more spacious facilities.
“We believe in the transformative potential of Proposition A to not only upgrade our Convention Center but also to spark widespread economic benefits across the community. We urge Fort Worth residents and our collective membership to support this proposition and vote in favor, ensuring a prosperous future for our city’s residents and businesses.”
Location Mentioned: Fort Worth Convention Center