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Fort Bend County outlines $161 million plan for Epicenter hotel, convention center; asks Rosenberg to pledge future hotel tax revenue
Summary
County officials presented a Phase 2 plan for the Epicenter: a 218‑room hotel, 70,000 sq. ft. convention center and two garages. The county would finance roughly $161 million in parking and convention center costs and asks the city to contribute only hotel occupancy taxes generated by the new hotel toward debt service.
County officials told the Rosenberg City Council during a workshop presentation that they are proposing a Phase 2 expansion of the Epicenter complex that would add a 218‑room, first‑class hotel, a 70,000‑square‑foot convention center and two parking garages.
"That total contribution by the county is proposed to be right at a $161,000,000," said Steve Robinson of Allen Boone Humphreys Robinson, who described the financing approach and confirmed the developer would build and own the hotel while the county finances parking and the conference center. Robinson added that the county would rebate its 2% hotel occupancy tax and rely on state hotel‑occupancy and sales tax revenues authorized under state law for a 10‑year investment window.
County economic development director Carlos Guzman told council the Epicenter is performing ahead of initial expectations and that Phase 2 is intended to capture larger regional events and increase overnight stays in Rosenberg. "We're just shy of 1,000,000 residents, and we expect to double in population in about 20 years," Guzman said, describing demand trends behind the proposal.
Council members emphasized they will not make a formal decision at the workshop but expressed broad interest and asked for safeguards. The county team said the proposal asks the city only to direct the hotel occupancy tax generated by this specific new hotel toward debt service for the county's contribution; Robinson said the plan does not request upfront city cash, property tax revenue, or city sales tax.
Council members asked about liability while the city would hold title for 10 years; Robinson said the county would lease the site back and assume operational responsibilities and liabilities under the lease. The mayor said the item will be placed on a future council agenda for public input.
Next steps: county and city staff will return to council with documentation and a formal agenda item, and staff said they will solicit public comment before any council decision.
