Fort Worth voters support 2% hotel tax for Convention Center renovations

Voters are overwhelmingly supporting a 2% increase in Fort Worth hotel taxes to fund the renovation of the Convention Center, according to unofficial results Saturday from Tarrant County.

Proposition A had support from 71.73% of voters with all 180 vote centers reporting. The proposition won by a wide margin in Denton and Parker counties as well. The tax is expected to generate $10 million a year, which the city will use to help fund the $700 million expansion of the Convention Center.

The tax will apply to hotel rooms or registered short-term rentals.

Fort Worth’s tourism economy generated $3 billion and supported 30,000 jobs in 2022, according to statistics from Visit Fort Worth.

In a post on X, Mayor Mattie Parker thanked voters for their support.

“This means more investment back into our thriving tourism industry, more support for the businesses that rely on it to be successful, and bold investments in the future of our Convention Center,” she wrote.

The city started work in August 2023 on updates to the entrances, loading docks and kitchens on the Commerce Street side of the building. The second phase is expected to involve demolishing the “Flying Saucer” arena to increase the building’s capacity.

The proposition won 64.11% of the vote in Denton County out of 287 ballots cast. It won 74.14% of the vote in Parker County out of 58 ballots cast.