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Originally Posted On: https://www.springfieldmo.org/blog/post/a-community-asset-for-generations-to-come/
Some investments are made for today. Others are planned to deliver results for decades to come. Springfield’s proposed Convention and Events Center falls firmly into the second category. This isn’t a short-term fix or a speculative gamble. It’s a long-term investment designed to grow with the city, serve multiple generations of Springfield residents, and position the Queen City of the Ozarks as a go-to destination.
On April 7, 2026, Springfield residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on a proposal that would raise the lodging tax from 5% to 8% — a 3% increase paid entirely by overnight guests, not residents — to fund the renovation, conversion, and expansion of the existing Expo Center at 635 E. St. Louis into a modern, world-class Convention and Events Center. It’s a once-in-a-generation decision, and the window to act is now.
Elevating our Strong Foundation — Literally
If the vote passes, the current Expo Center, located in the heart of downtown, will be renovated, converted, and significantly expanded. The former Sears building on the west end of the site will be demolished to allow for western expansion, resulting in a campus that includes a 65,000-square-foot exhibition hall, a new 30,000-square-foot ballroom, a junior ballroom, and flexible meeting room space.
Anchoring this facility in a downtown location is no accident. Downtown Springfield already has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment options. A convention center situated in the middle of all that is far more appealing to event planners than a venue off the beaten path. Being able to walk to restaurants and hotels matters a lot to event planners — and downtown Springfield delivers on both counts.
A Responsible Long-Term Funding Plan
This project was designed with financial responsibility at its core. The funding draws from multiple sources to minimize risk:
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Approximately $145 million in bonds, financed primarily through the new 3% lodging tax
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A one-time $30 million allocation from the voter-approved Spring Forward SGF ½-cent sales tax
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A potential $30 million state appropriation, which could bring total investment to $205 million
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Reallocation of existing tourism tax revenues once prior bonds (Ice Park, Expo Center) are retired in 2028
No general fund dollars are required for construction, loan repayments, or operations. The 3% tourism tax will cover loan repayments, and once existing bonds roll off in 2028 — right around the time the new facility is anticipated to be complete — the existing 5% lodging tax will be available to support ongoing operations, maintenance, and tourism programming. The numbers were structured to work together, not compete.
And importantly, the new 3% tax includes a 35-year sunset clause. It will automatically expire after that period, a safeguard added directly in response to community feedback.
A Rare Opportunity: State Funding on the Table
Springfield is in a unique position right now. There is a potential $30 million state appropriation available — but it’s only available if Springfield shows it’s committed to funding its share. This kind of state-level investment in a single city project is unusual and significant. It represents an opportunity to dramatically reduce the local share required to build a world-class facility, but only if Springfield moves forward.
If the opportunity passes without action, those state dollars will go elsewhere. This is not a decision that can be put off forever.
What Springfield Residents Asked For — And Got
A previous ballot measure on this topic did not pass, and the city took that outcome seriously. Through public listening sessions and a community survey, residents made clear they wanted more transparency, stronger safeguards, and reassurance that core services wouldn’t be compromised.
The revised proposal addresses each of those concerns directly. The 35-year sunset was added. The plan was clarified to confirm renovation and expansion of the existing facility rather than an entirely new build. The funding structure was made explicit to confirm no general fund impact. And the city committed to ongoing transparency about how funds are used.
The City Manager’s response to community concerns captured the spirit of the revised plan: ‘yes, and.’ Yes, core services will be protected — and we’ll also build something transformative for the next generation.
Building for Who Comes Next
Think about the young professionals putting down roots in Springfield right now. Think about the families raising children here. Think about the students attending Missouri State, Drury, Evangel, and OTC who are deciding whether to stay in Springfield after graduation. A vibrant, growing city — one with the infrastructure to attract major events, create good jobs, and generate economic energy — is the kind of place that keeps talented people here.
A Convention and Events Center isn’t just for the people who attend conventions. It’s for every Springfield resident who benefits from a stronger tax base, more local jobs, and a city that competes — and wins — on a regional and national stage.
Generations from now, people will look at this facility and see the moment Springfield decided to invest in itself. That moment is now.
Learn more at springfieldmo.org/inform
