Springfield, August 24, 2025
News Summary
City officials launched the next planning phase for a proposed downtown Springfield Regional Convention & Event Center by soliciting architectural design teams and a Construction Manager at Risk to begin preconstruction work. The consultant-recommended facility is roughly 125,000 square feet with an estimated $175 million construction cost. A $30 million state appropriation is currently restricted and would need a local match; councilors propose a lodging-tax increase to support bond debt and have allocated $250,000 for early professional work. Selection timelines are accelerated to show progress before an upcoming lodging-tax vote while financing and operational gaps remain unresolved.
Springfield speeds up planning and hires teams ahead of November lodging-tax vote for proposed convention center
Springfield has started design and preconstruction work on a proposed downtown convention and event center and is moving quickly to hire both an architectural team and a Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR). City actions come as leaders seek to lock in potential state money and put a lodging-tax question before voters on Nov. 4 to raise local construction funds for a project estimated at about $175 million.
What the city is doing now
The city issued a request for Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for full architectural design services in mid-August and formally invited qualified teams to apply for the CMaR role on Aug. 18. Selection schedules call for an architectural team to be chosen by Sept. 5 and to submit a proposed contract by Sept. 19. A construction manager finalist is to be selected by Sept. 10, with contract negotiations expected to wrap by Sept. 24. City materials say the construction manager is expected to help deliver the project on an accelerated timeline.
Size and cost estimates
A recent market and feasibility study recommended a 125,000-square-foot event center and estimated construction costs near $175 million. Some project descriptions circulating at the same time listed a larger, 250,000-square-foot facility with goals to meet LEED Silver standards. City officials and consultants continue to refine program and cost numbers as design work begins.
Funding picture and urgency
The state legislature included a $30 million appropriation for Springfield in the latest state budget, but that money was placed on the governor’s restricted list and would be released only at the governor’s discretion. If released, the state funds would require a local match and must be spent by June 2026. City leaders are acting now to show commitment and to preserve the state match while local funding pieces are finalized.
City Council allocated $250,000 from existing hotel/motel tax reserves for necessary early expenses such as site evaluations and other due diligence. About $100,000 of that has been used for consulting work on financing structure. The city may need to reallocate additional money during design and CMAR processes.
Lodging-tax ballot and related costs
To help fund construction, the council is placing a 3% hotel/motel tax increase on the Nov. 4 ballot. That new fee would create a bond repayment stream to pay for much of the project borrowing, according to city summaries. The lodging-tax question is currently the only item certified for Greene County’s Nov. 4 ballot, but holding that election will cost the city an amount not covered by the earlier $250,000 allocation; an estimate for the standalone election is in excess of $277,000.
What local and outside groups say
A citizens’ advisory board recommended using a full year of the recently approved 1/2-cent SPRING Forward SGF sales tax to provide the local $30 million match for the state appropriation. The local chamber of commerce board endorsed the lodging-tax increase. Independent policy experts note lodging taxes are commonly used to fund visitor-serving projects because the cost is borne largely by visitors; at the same time, experts caution that taxes tied to single projects should be reviewed closely because ongoing operating costs and other related pieces—such as a recommended adjacent 400-room hotel—do not yet have identified funding.
Risks, timing and next steps
City staff emphasize that the project depends on multiple funding pieces. If any material funding source falls through, the project would likely be stalled or re-evaluated. The city expects to identify a site within roughly 60–90 days as engineers and architects begin work. If the lodging-tax is approved by voters and the state match is released, construction could begin as early as 2026; otherwise, timing will slip.
The city is working with consultants to refine financing plans, continue market work and prepare the package that will go to voters. The next weeks will include shortlisting design and construction teams, conducting interviews, finishing negotiations and moving forward with early design tasks to keep state and local funding options available.
Background and context
The proposed downtown facility is described by the city as a regional convention and event center intended to attract conventions, concerts, tournaments and other large gatherings. City leaders describe the effort as a major opportunity to boost downtown activity, increase visitors and spur private and public investment. Current city hotel/motel license tax stands at 5% and has not been increased since 2004; the new proposed 3% would raise the total tax charged to visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the project?
The project is a proposed downtown Springfield Regional Convention & Event Center intended for conventions, exhibitions, concerts and community events.
How big is the center and how much will it cost?
Study recommendations vary. One feasibility report recommended about 125,000 square feet with a construction estimate near $175 million. Other descriptions list up to 250,000 square feet. Design work will refine size and costs.
Who is being hired now?
The city is seeking a full architectural and design team and a Construction Manager at Risk to lead design and preconstruction on an accelerated schedule.
Where will the funding come from?
Planned funding includes a $30 million state appropriation, a proposed $30 million local match drawn from a year of a 1/2-cent sales tax, and bonds repaid by a proposed 3% lodging fee increase. Additional borrowing would likely be required to cover the full estimated cost.
What must voters decide in November?
Voters will decide whether to approve a 3% hotel/motel tax increase that would create revenue to repay bonds for construction. The Nov. 4 ballot would include that single lodging-tax question.
What are the main risks?
Key risks include the state withholding the $30 million appropriation, voters rejecting the lodging-tax increase, and lacking funds for operating the center and for a recommended adjacent hotel. If funding pieces fail, the project would likely pause or be redesigned.
Key project features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated construction cost | $175 million (approx.) |
| Suggested building size | Study recommended 125,000 sq ft; other descriptions list up to 250,000 sq ft |
| State funding | $30 million on governor’s restricted list; release discretionary and requires local match |
| Local match idea | Citizens’ board recommended one year of 1/2-cent sales tax (~$30 million) |
| Lodging-tax ballot | Proposed 3% increase on Nov. 4 ballot to repay bonds for construction |
| City seed funding | $250,000 allocated from hotel/motel tax reserves for preconstruction and due diligence |
| Procurement timeline | Architect selection by Sept. 5; CMAR finalist by Sept. 10; negotiations by Sept. 24 |
| Deadline for state funds | If released, state funds must be spent by June 2026 |
| Open questions | Final site selection, operational funding, and funding for an adjacent 400-room hotel |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- News-Leader: Springfield moves quickly to hire architects ahead of Nov. lodging-tax vote
- Wikipedia: Convention center
- KY3: Springfield takes next big step toward regional convention & event center
- Google Search: Springfield regional convention and event center
- OzarksFirst: City of Springfield continues toward new convention and event center
- Google Scholar: convention center economic impact
- News-Leader: Springfield convention center funding could include new hotel tax
- Encyclopedia Britannica: municipal finance & public infrastructure
- OzarksFirst: Springfield convention center architects
- Google News: Springfield convention center lodging tax
