After a legal challenge, the city of Austin can move forward with a plan to help fund the expansion of the Austin Convention Center. Travis County District Court Judge Sherine Thomas ruled Thursday that Austin\u2019s financial plan for the project is lawful, according to court documents. <\/p>\n
Last month, the Austin City Council approved issuing up to $1.35 billion<\/a> in bonds to move the project forward. The city\u2019s plan includes the use of hotel occupancy tax funds, fees paid by people staying overnight in hotels, motels and short-term rentals, to help pay down that debt. <\/p>\n Thursday’s ruling means the project can move forward as planned. In a statement, a city spokesperson said “the City appreciated the Court’s thoughtful consideration of the issues.” <\/p>\n Earlier this week, Thomas oversaw a hearing which included city and state officials, as well as members of the public who opposed using hotel occupancy tax funds for the project. <\/p>\n Attorney Bill Bunch, who represented a group of concerned residents, said spending on the convention center expansion leaves little money for other tourism-related needs. <\/p>\n \u201cThe city\u2019s own data tells us that people come to Austin for all the things we know and love about Austin \u2014 live music, arts, local restaurants, local businesses, local culture and our nature in the city,\u201d Bunch said. \u201cNobody comes to Austin for the convention center.\u201d<\/p>\n Bunch said the group felt the city’s investment in the convention center was a “waste of money.” <\/p>\n This isn\u2019t the first time the Austin Convention Center expansion has faced a legal challenge. Earlier this year, the Austin United Political Action Committee, also represented by Bunch, sued the city after its ballot petition was denied because it did not have enough valid signatures. The judge sided with the city<\/a>.<\/p>\n Without an expansion, city officials said Austin would struggle <\/a>to compete with other major cities to bring in tourism dollars. <\/p>\n