West Palm Beach throws support behind convention center hotel project

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Since 2001, the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County and the Related Companies have tried to build a hotel next to the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

But a tough economy had impeded progress on the project. Until now.

On Tuesday, a pivotal vote could bring the project one step closer to crews breaking ground on the empty lot east of the Convention Center.

With a vote just days away, the City of West Palm Beach came out on Sunday in support of the $105 million Hilton Hotel project.

The plan calls for a 400-room hotel that would be built right across from City Place.  .

The city said because of a 2005 agreement, it is guaranteed to collect tax revenues from the project.

"The hotel revitalizes the area and it also puts some much needed tax dollars in the pockets of our residents. And these are dollars we can use to improve services in the city for anyone," said Elliot Cohen, City of West Palm Beach spokesperson.

Cohen said that in addition to the tax revenue it will collect from the hotel, the project will create hundreds of jobs.

Palm Beach County commissioners are set to vote on whether or not to move forward on the project on Tuesday.