Legislation has been filed to create a new Springfield-area tourism authority centered on a proposed new downtown hotel and expansion of the Bank of Springfield Center.
State Senator Doris Turner, State Representative Mike Coffey, Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher and Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter announced plans on Tuesday to create a Capital Area Tourism Authority.
Coffey is also chairman of the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority Board, or SMEAA, which oversees the BOS Center.
Turner filed Senate Bill 3499 to create the authority. Turner and Coffey said the authority would develop and own a proposed hotel connected to the BOS Center.
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The proposal also includes an expansion of the BOS Center including additional meeting and event space.
The legislation proposes a five-member board for the new authority with representation from the county, city and SMEAA.
Van Meter said funding would be from a variety of user-based sources.
Coffey referred to the proposal as “Operation Save Downtown Springfield.”
The officials said the next steps and project timeline will be shared as the bill to create the authority moves through the General Assembly. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Revenue Committee on Thursday.
