As the City of New Braunfels continues efforts to implement the South Castell Visioning Plan, two Texas legislators have filed bills to help move an integral part of that plan forward. District 25 State Senator Donna Campbell has filed Senate Bill 1444 and District 73 State Representative Carrie Isaac has filed House Bill 2289. Each legislative measure is designed to authorize the City to leverage state tax revenues generated by a hotel and convention center project for authorized public improvements.
Given the potential scale of a future expansion and improvement project for the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center, including streetscape enhancements and structured parking, the City is proactively working on identifying potential funding sources. One such mechanism is a Qualified Hotel Project (QHP), which allows state Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and Sales Tax revenue from an eligible hotel to be pledged toward construction costs for public improvements like Civic/Convention Center enhancements, parking structures, and adjacent street and utility improvements. A QHP is a public/private financial tool designed to assist Texas cities in financing hotel facilities that support convention centers. These hotels often include meeting spaces, restaurants, and other amenities that require significant investment which can be challenging to finance solely through the private sector.
"I am honored to champion New Braunfels' economic development and support its local businesses,” said State Senator Donna Campbell. “SB 1444 will responsibly dedicate tax revenues generated by New Braunfels to fund local projects."
“New Braunfels is one of the fastest-growing communities in Texas, and responsible development is key to sustaining its success,” said State Representative Carrie Isaac. “This bill ensures that tax revenues generated by a hotel and convention center project can be reinvested into the community, strengthening local infrastructure and supporting economic growth.”
With Senator Campbell’s filing of SB 1444 and Representative Isaac’s filing of HB 2289, the City of New Braunfels, in collaboration with the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association (THLA), the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, and key community stakeholders will continue working with state legislators to secure the passage of those bills.
“The City of New Braunfels remains committed to strategic, sustainable development that enhances infrastructure, supports local businesses, and maintains the unique character of our growing community,” said New Braunfels City Manager Robert Camareno. “As this bill moves through the legislative process, we will keep residents informed and engaged on this significant initiative.”
As part of the FY 2025 Adopted Budget, the City has allocated funding to study the feasibility of expanding the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center. This includes ongoing analysis initiated by the South Castell Visioning Plan, evaluating hotel demand, and overall room capacity in the downtown area. A Request for Qualifications for that effort was recently issued and can be found on the City’s website. To learn more about the South Castell Visioning Plan, visit www.newbraunfels.gov/castell.