Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses Visit Longview downtown lease and visitor center at 109 W. Tyler Street
Summary
Council members reviewed a consent agenda item renewing a downtown lease for Visit Longview’s visitor center at 109 W. Tyler Street; staff said the location houses six full‑time staff, a gift shop of local products, and is a 3‑year lease with prorated property tax adjustments.
Council members discussed a consent agenda item on July 24 that included a lease for Visit Longview’s downtown offices and visitor center at 109 West Tyler Street.
Sean (Visit Longview representative) told the council the downtown location houses six full‑time staff plus part‑time retail help and functions as the city’s visitor center and a point for downtown programs. He described the site’s gift shop as a venue for “unique Longview products” and local creators and said the organization had been at the address for four years after moving from City Hall.
Councilmember Connolly asked about the office’s traffic and revenue effect. Sean said customer flow varies with downtown events; the location’s retail sales help offset expenses but staff presented the lease as primarily promotional for Longview and East Texas. Sean provided a property‑tax estimate for the site: $4,727 for the current year. He confirmed the proposed lease is for three years with the city able to terminate early if a city‑owned downtown space becomes available.
Councilmember Collin asked staff to provide additional usage and revenue data; Sean said he could supply the information. No separate vote was taken on the lease beyond approval of the consent agenda, which passed earlier in the meeting.
Councilmembers characterized the downtown visitor center as an asset for downtown events and promotion; staff said long‑term ownership of a downtown facility remains a goal but the lease was a practical short‑term approach.
