The Mandalay Four Seasons attracts conventions
from all over, but managers of this and
other major Irving hotels are feeling business
pressure from a project that's now just a
dream.
Irving may study the pros and cons of a
convention center next to Texas Stadium funded
by an increase in the hotel motel tax from
eight to nine percent.
It doesn't seem like much, but.
But when you're talking one percent and you
start looking at rates that then are comparable
with other areas, there may be a reason to
draw things to other areas.
Managers say a loss of business will mean a
loss of jobs, but they say if all their
fierce competition from a tiny convention
center is not one of them, a four million
dollar arts theater for this site would be tied
in with the convention center.
But Mayor Bobbie Jo Draper may go back to the
drawing board because of public reaction to the
Convention Center project.
The support is not there.
It's obvious to me now that most of our
citizens are not concerned about it or
they just don't feel this is a good idea.
So possibly at tomorrow's meeting,
then I will have to
change my thinking a little bit.
But Mayor Raper says the hotel tax will have
to be increased whatever projects are approved.
Irving city officials do say if their study
proves a convention center and an arts state
are not in the city's best interest, they'll
drop the idea.
In the meantime, hotel managers nervously await
that study and the possible competition and
tax increase that would follow.
Tim Herrera, Channel 5 News Irving.