Since it opened the Center has paid 85% of its operating costs with the remainder of the funding coming from the city's hotel-motel tax. Under a formal agreement, the EDC makes annual debt payments and the city pays for the center's day-to-day operations. The EDC set a final construction budget and the city sold more than $4 million in bonds. However, the committee opted for a full performance stage increasing the size of the facility to more than 21,000 square feet.Īs plans began to come together, funds for the project continued to come in from the Chamber of Commerce fall auctions and Decatur City Manager Brett Shannon began reserving city funds for the project. The UNT study had recommended a facility of 12,000 to 15,000 square feet with a portable stage. The EDC appointed a Civic Center Study Committee headed by Robinson and representatives of the Chamber on what the facility should provide. They had done extensive work on such facilities in Frisco and McKinney. After extensive interviews, the EDC selected architects Phelps and Wood of Frisco to design the center. Civic CenterĪs momentum developed, the Decatur Economic Development Corporation became involved and Decatur voters approved adding the Civic Center to the list of projects that the city's EDC half-cent sales tax could finance. In 1993, using a portion of the auction proceeds, the Chamber funded a $10,000 feasibility study through the Center of Economic Development and Research at the University of North Texas.Īfter receiving a positive report, many local citizens spent months touring civic centers in other parts of the state, They carefully studied the design and financial business plan of center in Grapevine, Gainesville, Mineola, Tyler, Athens, and several other cities. Several years after the auction began, work began in earnest on the project. The Decatur Chamber of Commerce stepped up to the plate to plan an auction in conjunction with its annual banquet. Robinson, who had come to Decatur from Terrell, had experience with a similar auction there. The idea began to take shape when Don Robinson, president of the First National Bank of Decatur, discussed the idea of a community-wide auction to raise funds for the project. Hilton Minneapolis St.The Decatur Conference Center is the culmination of a long-time dream of Decatur Business and Civic leaders who put their shoulders to the wheel to make the dream come true. Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New YorkĬharlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center Southern Illinois University Student Center Wyndham Orlando Resort International Driveĭelta Hotels by Marriott Baltimore Hunt ValleyĭoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chattanooga Downtown Gaylord National Resort Hotel and Convention CenterĮmbassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria Riverfront Hotel & Conference Center Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
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