Photo by Leslee Bassman

From left: City of Lakeway Mayor Dave DeOme, Lakeway Visitors Commission Chairman Sandy Cox, Lakeway City Manager Steve Jones

The Lakeway Visitors Commission voted unanimously May 12 to contract with a firm that will assess what type of performing arts or conference center is needed in the community and the level of programming required to make the project financially viable.

The commission decided on Janis A. Barlow and Associates among three proposals submitted, including PKF Consulting and Strategic Advisory Group, said Chairman Sandy Cox.

Barlow has expertise in planning performing arts centers and did not advocate building a hotel alongside the facility to ensure the project's success, City Manager Steve Jones said.

Commission members agreed to increase the original amount allocated for the feasibility study from $25,000 to $50,000, which is funded using the city's hotel occupancy tax.

The commission also approved using HOT funds for two projects proposed by Lakeway Resort and Spa including $17,500 for a marketing campaign using pay-per-click advertising—Internet advertising used to direct traffic to a website—and $10,000 for a public relations campaign. As required by law when using HOT funds, the fees requested are 50 percent of the total charges. Lakeway Resort and Spa, owned by parent Dow Hotel Company, will contribute the remaining $17,500 and $10,000, respectively.

The commission approved allocating $1,450 in HOT funds to the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce for a marketing survey campaign performed at Springfest on April 25–26. The total cost to conduct 200 surveys during the event totaled $2,900, said Lake Travis Chamber President Laura Mitchell.

The meeting marked Cox's final opportunity to lead the Visitors Commission before starting her service on Lakeway City Council. Members recommended current Commissioner Jim Reiners become chairman of the board.