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City Manager David Cameron will host another public listening session 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 at the Greene County Archives and Elections Center, 1125 N. Boonville Ave. Cameron and City staff will answer questions about a proposed convention and events center, present results from the online survey conducted Dec. 4-19 and other listening sessions and gather additional feedback.
“I just want to listen. I know that people have opinions on this and other priorities for the City and I want to hear what they have to say – good, bad or otherwise,” Cameron said. “Whether you supported, opposed, or didn’t vote on the convention and events center proposal, your perspective is important and will help us determine next steps, if any."
In November 2025, Springfield voters rejected a 3% tourist tax increase (including short-term rentals) that would have provided funding for the proposed convention and events center.
The ballot measure was endorsed by the Springfield Hotel Lodging Association and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, but drew fewer than 7,500 voters to the polls. Of those, 52.56%, or 3,927, opposed the measure while 47.44%, or 3,545 votes, were in favor, according to data provided from the Greene County Clerk’s website.
The project would involve adding on to and renovating the underperforming existing City-owned Expo Center at 635 E. St. Louis St. into a 125,000-square-foot exhibit, ballroom and meeting space that would drive long-term economic impact to Springfield. The City estimates the cost to turn the Expo Center into a true convention and events center at approximately $175 million.
According to the most recent Hunden Report commissioned by Visit Springfield, the Expo Center is not a true convention center because it lacks a ballroom; the attached old Sears building, including its existing function space, is largely unused and unmarketable for groups; and it does not include the necessary hotel and walkable amenities that are critical for sustained success.
The City has lined up an anticipated $60M funding for the project – $30 million from the state of Missouri and $30M from local ½-cent Spring Forward SGF sales tax revenue dedicated to transformative civic projects.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
1126 N Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802-3806, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
