SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - State Senator Doris Turner has several bills that would help revitalize Downtown Springfield. Senate Bill 3499 is one of them and would establish the Capital Area Tourism Authority.
"It's a political division and unit of local government, allowing the authority to exercise certain economic development powers," Turner said. "The legislation aims to promote business, industry, commerce and tourism throughout Springfield."
The authority would include five members appointed by the Sangamon County Board, the Springfield City Council and the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.
The bill also includes plans to finance an expansion of the Bank of Springfield (BOS) Center, which includes a new hotel. Local leaders say the new facility would bring more conventions into the area.
"Tourism brings in about $600 million a year in spending in the city of Springfield, $18.8 million in tax revenue," said Rep. Mike Coffey. "You look at the competition that we have, whether it be in Peoria, Champaign, they've got bigger facilities, they've got more space. A 500-person convention will generate about a couple of hundred thousand dollars in spending."
Coffey said that in funding and building the facility, they will encourage private companies or other investors to take over empty buildings in the downtown area.
The new facility will be funded by revenue from the facility, sales tax generated by the facility and a hotel motel tax. There will not be tax increases for local community members,
"Our downtown has changed, but our downtown is not unique or different," said Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher. "This is happening all across our country because work from home has become so prevalent. It is time for a new focus for downtown. It is time to combine work, living and entertainment into one space. That is what this project does."
Senate Bill 3499 will head to the Senate Revenue Committee on Thursday.
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