FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD)- Early voting started Monday in local issues across Texas. In Fort Worth, voters are choosing whether to expand the convention center.
The measure would increase the city's hotel occupancy tax rate 2%. The city would use the money to pay for improvements. The city council unanimously approved the ballot measure in January.
Fort Worth expects the entire renovation to cost $700 million. Phase one has already been approved and will build new kitchens and loading docks. Fort Worth will also straighten Commerce Street.
"As that work continues, we are not bashful about recommending you vote 'Yes' for Proposition A on May 4," says Downtown Fort Worth Inc President Andy Taft. "This will modestly increase the hotel occupancy tax."
Taft says tourists would wind up paying for improvements, and the measure would bring Fort Worth to the same tax rate as Austin and Houston.
Phase two would demolish the existing arena and replace it with a more modern structure.
"It is incredibly important, not just to the Downtown Fort Worth community but for Texas at-large as we continue to be one of the fastest growing cities and need a convention center that reflects that," says Mayor Mattie Parker.
As mayor, Parker stops short of endorsing the measure outright, but she encourages people to participate in the process regardless of how they plan to vote.
Taft says the expansion of the convention center would help Fort Worth keep growing as a destination.
"There are $2.6 billion in the current Downtown redevelopment pipeline," he says.
Early voting for local elections runs through Tuesday, April 30 with election day Saturday, May 4.
After local elections, primary runoffs are scheduled later in May. Early voting for runoffs starts 20; election day is May 28.
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