Fort Worth voters to weigh hotel tax increase to fund convention center

Fort Worth voters will decide this week whether to add 2% to the city's hotel occupancy tax to fund renovations at its downtown convention center and the demolition of the "flying saucer" arena.

Why it matters: Fort Worth must compete with Dallas, Arlington and other cities in the metro that have shinier events centers and tourist attractions.

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• In 2022, Dallas voters approved an increase to the hotel occupancy tax to replace the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center as part of a $3 billion development project.
• This year, Arlington opened its own $550 million convention center attached to a hotel within walking distance from Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium.

State of play: The $540 million Dickies Arena opened in 2019 in Fort Worth to host concerts, rodeos and other sporting events.

• The Cultural District's arena fills the need for a sporting facility, but city leaders say the convention center needs more meeting and expo space .

Fort Worth's proposed phases for modernizing the area around its convention center. Illustration: Courtesy of city of Fort Worth

Catch up quick: Fort Worth leaders have planned for years to renovate and modernize the 56-year-old convention center. The project includes adding kitchens and loading docks and eventually straightening the curved Commerce Street.

• Just five years ago, the project was estimated to cost about $377 million. The price tag is now more than $700 million due to inflation and rising construction costs, per city records .
• Construction has already begun on the $95 million first phase, partially paid for by pandemic-era relief funds .

How it works: The city estimates a 2% increase in the hotel occupancy tax could generate $10 million a year to pay for bonds to renovate the convention center.

• The tax hike would help pay for demolishing the arena, building a ballroom and adding a 97,000-square-foot exhibit hall.

Context: Visit Fort Worth estimates a renovated convention center could double the number of events at the facility, which currently ranks 47th nationwide for available space.

• Last year, the facility booked 475 events.

What's next: Election Day is Saturday.