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Multipurpose Event Center Complex Project
Project History
The City of Brownwood and Municipal Development District
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
Purpose of Project
The goal of this project is to create a new rentable multipurpose event space with indoor and outdoor components to help facilitate events and conventions that will create a positive economic impact on the local economy and business growth. There are 3 main phases of the project that will be a part of the new event complex with a 4th phase that will be led by Howard Payne University.
Ice House Stage/Pavilion
The existing Ice House building on Lee Street is in the process of being demolished down to its foundation to erect a new structure in its place. This new structure will function as a stage for large events, small gatherings, and concerts. It can also serve as
Estimated Cost - $1,477,300
Outdoor Improvements/Site Work
The site surrounding the Ice House will be divided into the large viewing lawn/festival ground stretching east (the current RV Park) and a small viewing lawn to the south. This will allow for more
Estimated Cost - $1,293,900
Event Center
The last phase of the project will be the development of the event center inside of what is known as the Timmins building on the corner of Baker and Greenleaf. Originally built as a warehouse for the Radford Grocery Company in the 1920s, the building will be converted into a multipurpose event center with spaces for conventions and breakout activities. Currently unnamed, the Event Center will also be ideal for banquets, weddings, and a multitude of other event types. The intent of the aesthetic is the bring in modern features while preserving the building’s original industrial character.
Estimated Cost - $4,577,325
Brownwood Coliseum
To leverage our local event facilities, the City of Brownwood intends to engage Howard Payne University in a long-term lease of the Brownwood Coliseum. HPU will take over all operations and operational expenses under a new agreement and will continue to rent out the facility for public events, as the schedule allows. HPU will commit to
Project Funding Sources
The construction project will primarily be funded by existing Brownwood Municipal Development District economic development sales tax. The BMDD intends to allocate $4.5 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.
Operations
With Howard Payne University taking over the operations and staffing of the Coliseum, that portion of the City’s community facilities budget will be re-allocated to the new multipurpose complex for operations and staffing. The City will also renegotiate the Hotel Occupancy Tax contract with the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce for additional funds which will allow for full operations of the new facility that will be budget neutral to the City of Brownwood. Timeline
With approvals in October, BRW Architects will begin their work in early December on the full design of all phases of the project. The estimated start of construction on the Ice House is Spring 2021, to be complete by the end of Summer 2021. The Event Center renovations are expected to begin Summer 2021 and take around 10 months to complete.
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Ice House Demolition - Event Center Project
The existing Ice House building on Lee Street is in the process of being demolished down to its foundation. Read on... -
Multipurpose Event Center Project Approved by City of Brownwood
Brownwood City Council gave final approvals Tuesday to move forward with the development of a multipurpose event center in Downtown Brownwood. Read Press Release... -
Schematic design phase approved for redevelopment of a mixed-use community event space
The schematic designs will be the first step in the actual project design and will give the City and BMDD an opportunity to better determine what the needs will be of each part of the project. Additional Info...
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- How will this project be funded?
- Is this going to lead to a property tax rate increase?
- How much will the project cost?
- How is the City of Brownwood paying for this project?
- What is the timeline for the completion of the Event Center?
- Will the other City facilities still be available to rent once the new facility is complete?
- Will there be adequate parking for a event space of this size in the area?
- Will the new Event Center have breakout rooms to facilitate small to mid-size conferences?
- Will the new Event Center include any outdoor event space?
- Will there be areas usable for music or concerts in the new Event Center?
- What is H.O.T. Funds?
- Did the City consider new construction instead of redeveloping existing buildings?
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