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In a tight race, it appeared that Dallas voters would let the city move forward with plans for a publicly funded convention center hotel.
In a confusing measure in which a "no" vote on Prop 1 meant yes, the project can continue, and a "yes" vote would prohibit construction of a publicly funded hotel, voters were clearly divided.With 510 of 534 precincts reporting, 51.18 percent of the vote was to let the project continue; 48.82 percent of the vote was to stop the project."We’ll wait to see how the numbers are . . . but we are so thankful that so many people in the community stood up and supported this," Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said Saturday night. "People rallied around and, however it goes, we are very thankful."If the no vote does prevail, that means the controversial hotel proposal — which sparked protests, rallies, TV commercials and personal attacks — may proceed."We’ll move forward if that happens," Leppert said. "First we have to see what the results are."Supporters, including Leppert and many business leaders, have argued that a convention center hotel will create jobs and tax dollars.Others disagree, particularly opponents such as Citizens Against the Taxpayer-Owned Hotel, a $2.7 million anti-hotel campaign primarily funded by Dallas real estate investor Harlan Crow and his family, who own the Hilton Anatole hotel a few miles from the convention center hotel site. They have said they fear that the hotel would risk taxpayer dollars."The $500 million convention center hotel does in fact put unlimited risk on taxpayers who will be responsible for shortfalls," according to a message on the opposition group’s Web site. Opponents could not be reached for comment late Saturday.Leppert consistently maintained a different argument: "It’s about jobs, new opportunities and the economic growth that we so desperately need right now," he said.ANNA M. TINSLEY, 817-390-7610
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