NEWS
Metro reports that the headquarters hotel project timeline has been adjusted at the request of the developer to give them the time they need to prepare the information required. These changes will also support a process that delivers the best possible information. Metro has received the first project deliverables, including initial cost estimates and project schedules – click here for the Feasibility document. A second set of deliverables from the project's development team will be due on August 8, 2008. It is possible these dates may be subject to further requests for change. It is anticipated that Metro's final decision about proceeding with the headquarters hotel project will occur on or before October 2, 2008. The Metro Council is committed to working with all stakeholders and considering all available information regarding this due diligence feasibility phase in the development of a headquarters hotel. Please contact Reed Wagner at (503) 797-1584 or reed.wagner@oregonmetro.gov with any questions.
Portland per diem rates for FY 2008 will increase to $106 (lodging) and $49 (meals and incidentals expenses) up by $8 for lodging. Go to www.gsa.gov for more information on per diem rates, factors influencing lodging rates, and previous years’ rates. Per diem rates exclude lodging taxes
ISSUES
September 20, 2007 – Metro Council public hearing on Headquarter Hotel, Portland -
TCLA hosted a membership meeting to review and discuss the HQ hotel issue with industry stakeholders including Metro, MERC, POVA, and OCC. Metro has an aggressive timeline to determine their support for the HQ hotel project. Having an active and engaged membership in this process is critical.
Click the following links for commissioned studies and reports:
KPMG Economic and Fiscal Impact Report of OCC
HVS Report Summary: Westin Hotel Market Analysis from ECONorthwest
SAG Report Summary from ECONorthwest
MERC Presentation to TCLA Board
SAG Update and Economic Summary Report
HVS Market Study: Proposed Westin Convention Center Hotel
KPMG Report on economic impact of the OCC
POVA HQ Hotel Update Analysis – SAG Report
HQ Hotel Letter from MERC
TCLA HQ Hotel Position Statement
Visitor Development Initiative (VDI)
The Visitor Development Initiative (VDI) is a 2.5% hotel and rental car Multnomah County tax that was established through an industry wide collaborative effort to fund the Convention Center expansion and to provide funding for projects that support the region’s visitor industry. The project revenues derived from these taxes are deposited into a trust account and administered by the County. TCLA has agreed to support these tax increases
The Visitor Development Fund (VDF) is a portion of the VDI that is administered by POVA. The VDF is expended to attract visitors to Portland and Multnomah County that maximize hotel occupancy and vehicle rentals. Click here to download the VDF marketing plan and fund request guidelines. For a look at the Regional Visitors Facilities Funding via the transient lodging and vehicle rental taxes, click here.
Procedure for Collection of Transient Lodging Taxes
Hotels collect the Transient Lodgings Tax, which is 11.5%, from their guests and remit it to the City of Portland Revenue Bureau on a quarterly basis. The Bureau divides it between "The City", Multnomah County and POVA as follows:
The City and POVA - 6%
Multnomah County - 5.5%
POVA get 1/6 of the City/POVA amount or 1% of the total collected. "City only" amounts go to the general fund. POVA amounts are assessed an administrative fee and a general fund fee before the remainder is transferred to POVA. Multnomah County's amount is collected in a trust fund and disbursed to the Multnomah County Treasury each accounting period.
