City of Fort Worth
A group of Fort Worth civic leaders said on Thursday that they had formed an organization to campaign for an increase in the city’s hotel occupancy tax to expedite improvements to the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Together Fort Worth, chaired by attorney Brian Newby, will “actively support” a 2% increase in the HOT, which will appear as Proposition A on the May 4 city election ballot. The group cited job creation and strong economic impact as reasons to advance Phase 2 improvements to the convention center.
The increase must be approved by voters. The Fort Worth City Council voted in February to place the matter on the ballot.
“Together Fort Worth will actively support Proposition A,” said Newby, managing partner of Cantey Hanger, in a statement. “With Phase 2 Convention Center improvements, Fort Worth will be home to more conventions and meetings, which helps generate good local jobs and economic opportunities, without increasing our property taxes, sales tax and without taking any funding from our police, fire, parks and roads budget.
In addition to Newby and Pam Minick, the treasurer, Together Fort Worth board members include Larry Auth, Becky Borbolla, Mike Berry, Sal Espino, Jarred Howard, and Sarah LanCarte.
The hotel occupancy tax is paid by those renting a hotel room. The 2% HOT would be in addition to the current 15% general state and local HOT. If approved by voters, the 2% increase would put the total HOT at 17%, the current rate in Houston and Austin.
The 2% HOT is projected to generate $10 million per year, according to the city, which would be used to support revenue bonds for the Fort Worth Convention Center renovation.
Voters in the city of Dallas approved an increase in its HOT from 13% to 15% two years ago to help pay for a new downtown convention center and renovations at Fair Park.
Construction costs for the long-planned Fort Worth Convention Center renovation have increased due to inflation and other factors.
Phase 2 of the Convention Center improvements will replace the coliseum with additional ball room and meeting room space. The improvements will also include a complete remodel of the existing convention center kitchen and food preparation infrastructure.
Phase 1 of the improvements, which entails electrical and other infrastructure upgrades, began in August, using federal funds provided to the city and its culture and tourism fund.
Early voting will begin April 22 and conclude April 30 for Fort Worth citizens who have registered to vote on or before April 4. Election Day is Saturday May 4, 2024. Go here to find election locations.
“The visitor and tourism economy is an important part of Fort Worth’s long-term success, currently injecting $3 billion in annual economic impact and supporting 30,000 local jobs,” said Mayor Mattie Parker.
Proponents for funding revenue streams for the convention center’s renovations cite studies that show the current complex ranks 47th in exhibit hall space. The complex’s size limitations have prevented the city from competing to host major conventions and exhibits.
The expanded convention center annual attendance is projected to increase from 780,000 to 1.2 million, and hotel bookings are projected to increase from 650,000 to 1.2 million room nights per year, according to Together Fort Worth.
The impact of that increase, of course, would stretch to benefit local businesses, such as restaurants and shops.
“Fort Worth wins when visitors spend,” Newby concluded.