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Informational hearing on Moscone Expansion draws support from San Francisco Travel; item filed
Summary
The committee heard an informational presentation on the proposed Moscone Expansion business improvement district; San Francisco Travel urged approval citing visitor spending and job benefits. The committee took no action on establishment and moved to file the informational item; further hearings and a Feb. 5 Board meeting will follow.
The Budget and Finance Committee held an informational hearing on a proposed Moscone Expansion business‑based assessment district that would levy assessments on hotels located in the proposed district.
Lisa Bagan of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development explained the procedural timeline: ballots for a special district election and notices of the Jan. 23 public meeting and Feb. 5 public hearing were mailed to registered hotels; additional detailed hearings on fiscal feasibility and certificates of participation issuance were scheduled for later committee and Board meetings. Bagan said the resolution to establish the district is co‑sponsored by the mayor and Supervisor Kim and that ballots will be tabulated at the Feb. 5 Board hearing.
John Ballesteros of the San Francisco Travel Association urged support for the Moscone expansion, citing industry estimates on economic and job benefits. Ballesteros said "the 16,350,000 visitors that come to San Francisco spend $8,500,000,000 and they support 41,700 jobs," and argued that expansions to Moscone would preserve convention business the city could otherwise lose.
The item was informational; the committee moved to file the item (motion to file), seconded and carried without opposition. Additional hearings and Board consideration are scheduled in the coming weeks.
