Voters in the city of Dallas voted strongly in favor Tuesday of adding a new hotel occupancy tax that will fund a new convention center and help renovate some of the buildings at Fair Park.
Visitors to the city will pay an extra 2% on their hotel occupancy tax, which proponents of the proposition say would generate $1.5 billion over 30 years. The majority of the money would go to the new convention center, but about $300 million would go to Fair Park.
"That's not only the single biggest investment in Fair Park’s history, it's bigger than all money from all sources that have been invested here since 1936," Fair Park First CEO Brian Luallen said. "In total, that is a game changer."
There is already a new public park slated to be built in one of Fair Park's parking lots -- on land that was taken from predominantly Black families. Construction is set to begin in January.
"That is a huge nuance, I believe, to what is taking place here now," Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua said. "Because if you're not cognizant of the history, then then you can't truly be committed to changing the future."
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