{"id":432019,"date":"2026-09-10T19:02:53","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T19:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/432019\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T19:02:53","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T19:02:53","slug":"proposed-expo-center-operator-already-familiar-with-lubbock-has-business-ties-to-texas-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/432019\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposed Expo Center operator already familiar with Lubbock \u2013 has business ties to Texas Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"

If all goes to plan, a company already familiar with Lubbock and Texas Tech will operate the proposed Expo Center at North Loop 289 and North University Avenue.<\/p>\n

Lubbock County\u2019s oversight committee \u2013 the Local Government Corporation (LGC) \u2013 approved three big items for the Expo Center on Wednesday including a recommended operator \u2013 Oak View Group (OVG).<\/p>\n

OVG operates<\/a> the Texas Tech Club at Galaxy Stadium (formerly Jones Stadium).<\/p>\n

Quick reminder<\/p>\n

The total Expo Center cost is roughly $67 million, with $10 million of that coming from money the county already collected in hotel and rental-car taxes. <\/p>\n

Lubbock County will need approval from the Texas Attorney General to issue roughly $32 million in 30-year bonds (paid back with the hotel and rental taxes that local voters approved in 2018).<\/p>\n

The balance will be paid from private fundraising by LCEC. <\/p>\n

The LGC also unanimously approved:<\/p>\n

The latest development design from Parkhill (an architectural and engineering firm).<\/p>\n

Assignment of the expo center\u2019s lease for a bank loan.<\/p>\n

The county is not seeking a bank note but its private partner, the Lubbock County Expo Center, Inc. (LCEC), hopes to close a loan soon with PlainsCapital Bank. The loan covers LCEC\u2019s financial responsibility until fundraising is completed.<\/p>\n

More about OVG<\/p>\n

Steven Petrovek, OVG director of business development, said, \u201cWe are very comfortable with all things Texas. We have various accounts across the state \u2013 and then in particular, right in Lubbock. We do all the food and beverage at Texas Tech, at their athletic facilities. So, if you\u2019ve had a hot dog or a beer, hopefully it\u2019s been a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Petrovek attended the meeting by video conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cOVG is a company that was founded in 2015 \u2013 quickly being one of the largest sports entertainment venue operators. \u2026 I think what differentiates us is that we are owners of venues. We own our own buildings, so we\u2019ve sat in the seats that you sit in right now. We understand,\u201d Petrovek said.<\/p>\n

LCEC examined three companies as the potential operator in a competitive bid process. Each offered a 5-year term with a 5-year renewal and a \u201ckey money investment.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201ckey money investment\u201d is paid up front by the operator as part of the contract.<\/p>\n

LCEC chairman Randy Jordan explained, \u201cThey come in, and they say, \u2018Look, we\u2019re going to invest in you. We\u2019re going to not only be an operator, but we\u2019re going to put some capital in this thing as well.\u2019 So, all three of them were a little over half a million dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jordan also told LubbockLights.com the operator gets a monthly fee and a percentage \u2013 if certain performance measures are met.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe better we do, the better they do,\u201d Jordan said.<\/p>\n

Greg Garfield with Garfield Public Private (LCEC\u2019s consultant) said, \u201cWe asked each operator to produce their own estimated operating program \u2013 so, attendance, estimated events, revenue, expenses, and net operating income.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOak View Group really dove in immediately and has had multiple meetings with our design team, with Parkhill, with our food service consultant, with our AV consultant. And so they\u2019ve already dedicated staff to providing the support we need to keep the design on track as well,\u201d Garfield said.<\/p>\n

Garfield also said the OVG contract had to meet higher standards because, when Lubbock goes out for bonds, it will be scrutinized by the Texas Attorney General.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you want to finance a project with tax-exempt bonds, the management agreement with a private operator has to be structured in compliance with IRS revenue rules and procedures,\u201d Garfield said.<\/p>\n

The Commissioners Court gets the final say on the operator, and LGC\u2019s recommendation is likely to go before commissioners this month or next.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Commissioners\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tCommissioners approve expo center lease on 3-2 vote amid debate if lease protects county in north Lubbock project<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJune 23, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Expo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tExpo Center project inches forward with help from county attorney, here\u2019s what needs to happen over next few months<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJune 11, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Expo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tExpo center project comes with strings attached before county\u00a0borrows money, as approved by oversight board<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMarch 12, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Expo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tExpo Center\u2019s next, but not final, steps approved 4-1 by commissioners over objections by county judge<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJanuary 27, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Expo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tExpo Center plans for north side of Lubbock now waiting for commissioner approval after LGC advances project<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJanuary 14, 2026\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"County\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tCounty attorneys give Expo Center supporters \u2018to-do\u2019 list to get project moving forward, get approval<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDecember 12, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Has\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tHas Expo Center project \u2018failed,\u2019 or does it \u2018just need a little boost?\u2019 Oversight board pushes for answers and urgency<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDecember 4, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Expo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tExpo Center\u2019s future makes two pit stops this month \u2013 both in front of county oversight board<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDecember 2, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Next\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tNext few weeks will tell if oversight board\u2019s Expo Center questions are answered enough to get decision<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNovember 17, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"County\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tCounty oversight board withholds blessing for expo center, wanting more answers on financial issues<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNovember 14, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Study:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tStudy: No matter where expo center goes, outdated Civic Center, surrounding areas need dramatic improvements<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 20, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Future\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tFuture of Civic Center, Expo Center on line in City Council, Commissioners Court meetings<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 14, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"New\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tNew law soon lets Lubbock raise money for Civic Center project<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 7, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"County\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tCounty deadline proposed for Expo Center; if Corley\u2019s proposal passes, 120 days to finish planning or the county goes it alone<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMarch 7, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Plans\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tPlans being discussed to move Expo Center downtown, paired with updated Civic Center; Expo leader still hopes it works on north Lubbock site<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFebruary 21, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Not always that way<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this is a very good day for Lubbock County and for the expo,\u201d said Ashley Cox, an attorney with the county\u2019s civil division.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been thrilled with the progress and the work that LCEC has done since our last commissioners court meeting [in June],\u201d Cox said during the meeting.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t always progress and a \u201cvery good day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Cox got involved, the LGC was deeply divided. The project largely stalled for seven years after local voters approved a venue tax \u2013 a timeframe that included COVID. There were questions of financial accountability.<\/p>\n

LGC board member Dwight McDonald was critical of LCEC in November.<\/p>\n

McDonald later came to support moving forward. <\/p>\n

But at the time he said, \u201cI\u2019m at a point now where I\u2019m not willing to \u2018Just take my word for this\u2019 anymore. Because back in March of 2024, we took their word for it. \u2026 And then it turns out that we weren\u2019t anywhere close.\u201d<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t the only one. Fellow board members Gary Boren and Carl Isett were equally frustrated.<\/p>\n

But when Cox got involved in December, she provided a roadmap in the form of a checklist of things that needed to happen. The LGC actions in Wednesday\u2019s meeting completed the items on her list.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Related posts\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If all goes to plan, a company already familiar with Lubbock and Texas Tech will operate the proposed…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":432020,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[168,170,169],"class_list":["post-432019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-lubbock","tag-lubbock","tag-lubbock-headlines","tag-lubbock-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=432019"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432019\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/432020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=432019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=432019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=432019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}