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1. How will this project be funded?

The construction project will primarily be funded by existing Brownwood Municipal Development District economic development sales tax. The BMDD intends to allocate $7 million in cash reserves for the initial phases of the project.  Since this will be a multi-year construction project, the BMDD will be able to expense part of this project over two fiscal years as well.  If any financing is required to complete the project, the City may borrow funds that the BMDD will pay the debt service on through subsequent fiscal year budgets.  There is also $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds that will be allocated to the project. 

2. Is this going to lead to a property tax rate increase?

No. The City of Brownwood FY 20/21 adopted budget is based upon the No-New-Revenue tax rate of $.7448 per $100 valuation. It is a reduction of 4.21¢ or 5.4% and is the lowest tax rate since 1996.

The City of Brownwood has proactively worked to bring this multipurpose event center project without growing the City’s budget. 

3. How is the City of Brownwood paying for this project?

The Event Center project is being funded by the Brownwood Municipal Development District through their economic development sales tax funds.

4. What is the timeline for the completion of the Event Center?

 The project is anticipated to take 18-24 months to complete.

5. Will the other City facilities still be available to rent once the new facility is complete?

Yes. The City will continue to operate and maintain the other City facilities including the Depot & Adam Street Community Center.   The Brownwood Coliseum will be managed and operated by Howard Payne University, but will be able to be rented by the pubic for events, subject to availability.

6. Will there be adequate parking for a event space of this size in the area?

Part of the allocated project funds will be used for the development of additional parking areas around the new Event Center with the potential to develop hundreds of new parking spaces.

7. Will the new Event Center have breakout rooms to facilitate small to mid-size conferences?

Yes. There will be up to 7 available breakout rooms of various sizes available in the new center to facilitate small to mid-size conferences. 

8. Will the new Event Center include any outdoor event space?

Yes. There will be multiple outdoor areas to host events, festivals, concerts, weddings and more.

9. Will there be areas usable for music or concerts in the new Event Center?

One of the major components of the space is the development of a covered stage/pavilion that can be rented and available for live musical performances of various sizes.

10. What is H.O.T. Funds?

Under Texas law, local Hotel Occupancy Tax (H.O.T.) revenue can be used only to directly promote tourism and the convention/hotel industry. This means the proceeds should be spent on projects or events that result in visitors or attendees staying overnight in the community, generating more hotel occupancy tax.

According to the Comptroller’s Data Analysis & Transparency Division, these categories include:

• the construction, maintenance and operation of a convention or visitor center;
• facilities and personnel for the registration of convention delegates;
• advertising and promotional programs to attract tourists;
• encouragement and promotion of the arts;
• historical restoration and preservation projects; 
• advertising to encourage tourists to visit historic sites and museums;
• signage directing the public to sights and attractions frequently visited by tourists; 
• certain transportation systems serving tourists and hotel guests;
• and, for certain cities,
• sporting events for which the majority of participants come from out of town;
• qualifying sports facilities that routinely host regional or national tournaments; and
• coliseums or multiuse facilities. 

11. Did the City consider new construction instead of redeveloping existing buildings?

After researching numerous event centers in cities across the state, City leadership decided to focus on preserving and redeveloping existing buildings in the Historic Depot Civic and Cultural Complex to embrace the rich history of the area, coordinate with existing meeting facilities, and reduce the cost of building from ground up.