Council approves interlocal agreement to back hotel and convention center adjacent to Fort Bend Epicenter

Rosenberg City Council voted to authorize the mayor to execute an interlocal agreement with Fort Bend County to support development of a full‑service hotel and a 70,000‑square‑foot convention center adjacent to the Fort Bend Epicenter.

Staff told the council the total project is estimated at about $236,000,000. County financing is expected to cover roughly 71–72% of the cost (about $170 million), state contributions about $11,800,000 and the city is being asked to commit future hotel‑occupancy tax revenue equal to roughly 14% of the project cost — approximately $33,600,000 — by rebating the hotel‑motel tax generated by this hotel for 30 years. "The proposed hotel and convention center meets the requirements of [Texas] tax code chapter 351 subchapter C," staff said.

Council members pressed county and developer representatives on timing, parking and tax treatment. Commissioner Prestige said construction documents would take a few months and the county will contract for the convention center and parking garages; an initial room count ranged from about 218 to 254 rooms. County counsel and staff emphasized the city's sales tax share will be retained by the city and that the city's contribution is a rebate of future hotel‑occupancy tax revenue for the single project. "The city's portion of that sales tax you keep it," a county representative said; "The hot tax is solely for this hotel."

Mayor and council negotiated non‑monetary terms during the meeting: the county agreed to provide 20 club‑level tickets and parking for city use at events, and the council discussed three complimentary uses of the conference center by the city for civic events. Council member Hector moved to approve the resolution and Jessica seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote.

The interlocal agreement will proceed to the Fort Bend County commissioners court for final approval; county action was expected on the following Thursday.