On Thursday, Missouri City City Council members, City Manager Anthony Snipes and other officials took part in a “groundbreaking” ceremony for the city's forthcoming visitor’s center—by dismantling the existing information counter at city's community center. “It’s important that we have a visitor center that markets what we have in Missouri City to work hand-in-hand with our hotels, our Quail Valley golf course, to make sure folks know not to run or drive through Missouri City, but take time to enjoy Missouri City,” Snipes said. The visitor’s center will be immediately inside the main Community Center entrance, with a meeting room and information area. Interactive kiosks are planned for the visitor’s center to tell tourists about activity centers, as well as a seating area next to the main doors. The visitor's center is funded by $100,000 in hotel occupancy tax revenue, which also accounts for a visitor's center manager whom Missouri City is currently looking to hire. City officials said they hope to have the center completed by the fall, in time for Houston Community College’s new campus to open next door. “This facility will bring about kiosks and information about not only our hotels and our restaurants, so when individuals come here they will have a wealth of information that is specific to Missouri City,” Snipes said. Landscaping and outside building enhancements, such as signage, are also planned, said Cory Stottlemyer, Missouri City media relations specialist. The visitor's center is part of a series of renovations underway at the complex. The main Community Center was renovated last year and the entire building’s 30-year-old roof is being replaced for $657,291.58. The new roof will have about a 20-year lifespan and is expected to be ready by October. Missouri City Communications Director Stacie Walker said the old roof experienced intermittent leaks throughout City Hall. Eventually, Missouri City leaders wish to build a public plaza next to City Hall, which is located at 1522 Texas Parkway. The plaza would function as a gathering and event space for residents, and so far, proposed amenities include a veterans’ memorial, amphitheater, and hike and bike trail connections. Meanwhile, Fort Bend County and Missouri City are planning to expand and renovate the Missouri City library next door, which city officials have said is expected to service HCC students as well as regular library patrons. “Together, the three organizations—the city of Missouri City, Fort Bend County and HCC—have invested well over $30 million in this specific area of Texas Parkway,” said Scott Elmer, Missouri City assistant city manager.