After several hours of discussion today the Dallas Convention Center hotel received a green light from the City Council.
Matthews Southwest was confirmed as the developer and Omni Hotels as operator of the city-owned hotel project.
Jack Matthews with Matthews Southwest says the goal is still to break ground in March. However, some financing must still be arranged.
A May referendum is scheduled on the project and council members supporting the hotel will campaign vigorously to keep it from being defeated. Angela Hunt was one of two members to vote no today saying the city could lose millions of dollars it has already committed if the hotel is defeated by voters in the referendum.
Ten council members voted for Omni and Matthews Southwest today. Mayor Tom Leppert agreed there is risk but said the greater risk is to do nothing.
Convention planners have said for years they avoid the Dallas Convention Center because it does not have a connected hotel.
