BEAUMONT, Texas — The City of Beaumont hosted its first public meeting about the proposed downtown hotel & conference center that's part of the Beaumont Vision 2035 plan.
Dozens of community members gathered at the Beaumont Event Centre to get a clearer understanding of the project. This public meeting kicked off Phase 2 of the development process.
People were also shared their thoughts and recommendations on what they want to see in the project.
"I love what I'm seeing. It's a good start. I hope that they will continue to develop the downtown area," said Bryan Barteshosky, a Beaumont resident of nine years.
Dozens of people turned out to learn about the proposed Beaumont convention center and hotel.
"This phase is to take public input. In other words show them the work they've done and then take public input on the project," Beaumont Assistant City Manager Chris Boone.
The project developer is Garfield Public Private, LLC.
"When the city partnered with Garfield, there was an initial phase of market analysis. They're in a second phase doing a more in-depth analysis. Doing the renderings for different options and then taking public input," Boone said.
Chairman Rey Garfield knows the concern of cost lingers within the community.
"The key question is, 'how does it get financed?', so it is bringing private dollars and combining them with public dollars. So a lot of that is the commitment of the public itself," Garfield said.
Garfield grew up in Beaumont and says this is what the city needs. He developed five full service hotels in the State of Texas< including locations in Baytown and Conroe.
"Over the years I've watched it not progress in the fashion other cities in Texas have. I've developed a lot of projects around the country and doing one here would be the icing on the cake," he said.
Ed Chevalier has lived in the city for 43 years. Beaumont hasn't built a full service hotel since he arrived.
"It needs it a lot. I think it'll help tourism greatly. I think it's a great idea as long as it doesn't eliminate any other businesses," he said.
Boone says the public will have information on the total cost soon, after Phase 2 is completed within the next 60 days.
The city is still soliciting feedback and you can give your recommendations online here.