Task Force Member Input — original pdf

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Visitor Impact Task ForceCity Directives and ImpactsTourism Impact•Impact of Tourism on Infrastructure: General Tourism, Activities -24M to 30 M where do they stay?-what do they visit-Need data: -to evaluate Transport, Safety, Capacity*-Impact on city districts, services•Impact of Tourism on Infrastructure Convention Center-85% of the attendees in Down Town area:-Positive Impact on Down Town Businesses( Future?)-Pedestrian Comfort , City Attractions, History, Museums, Parks Entertainment-Expansion Plans•Impact of Tourism : Events-Traffic, Safety, Logistics-City waivers and co-sponsors –(Funding?)* e.g. Increasing population creates park capacity problemsAustin Visitor Impact•HOT Use: Allocations per Tax code-Increasing Tourism proportionally incremental allocations-Citizen /Interest Group Request More Funding-Gap exists between Requests and Fund Allocations-Requests Merit Serious Consideration•HOT Use: Per code Major Allocation both Base and Incremental to Convention Center•HOT Use : Reevaluate Tax code e.g. Use 2015 as base line-Increased Funding Available to Cultural Heritage, Tourism Promotion, Historic Preservation, Music, Art etc.** Even with Extra Funding -Gap Remains-Transportation needs work with Transport Agencies-Event Funding Need alternatives per City StaffAustin Convention Center Expansion•Austin Convention Center one of the smallest compared to competition•Hotel Owners in favor of expansion•34% business lost due to unavailability of convention center•Convention Center fully occupied (@65%) in 2015•Option 2b is preferred•Total cost $600M+•Increased Revenue for City, Convention center and Hotels•Does Design take care of traffic, green and open spaces and business community needs fully? –Citizen Requests•Convention business less sensitive to economic downturns ?Austin Convention Center Expansion•Convention Center Expansion:-requires all of the 351 allocation, -it requires 2% additional HOT 17% •The 17% Tax allows increased finding for other areas but does not fill the gap•Current convention center will cater to 91% of the conventions for the size of the conventions•Operating costs for enlarged convention center ???•Convention Center as Cost Center???Other•Use $1M for series of projects mandated by City council-Allocation for Maywood Park included•Artist concerns –poverty level, health care and transportation•Business community’s concerns•Ensure success of Brand Austin,•Austin Tourism Promotion