Convention Center backers ask Council to begin collecting new tourist dollars

Supporters of the proposed new $455 million downtown convention center intend to ask the Metro Council soon to pass legislation by August so Metro can begin collecting new tourist tax dollars by the end of the year in preparation for funding the new Music City Center.

Yesterday, the state Senate passed legislation enabling the Metro Council to fund the new convention center, which would sit south of Broadway downtown.

The bill authorizes, which the state House has already approved, allows the Metro to impose certain new taxes aimed at tourists to provide the funding for the facility.

The taxes would include a 1 percent increase in the hotel/motel tax, a $2 occupancy tax on hotel rooms, a 1 percent rental car tax and a $2 fee imposed on vehicles such as taxis and shuttle buses each time they leave the airport.

The Music City Center Coalition