The Iowa State Center is the major convention business in Ames and we have to protect the viability of that facility. Some people feel Iowa State should begin charging state sales and hotel taxes to its Memorial Union and residence hall guests. That's an issue I've been working on with hotel and motel owners since November. We're exploring that issue at Iowa State and we'll have a decision before we present our proposal to the city council Jan. 26. ISU athletic events at Hilton rarely sell out.
Promoters prefer the larger arenas.
Des Moines and Omaha are looking at those sizes. Iowa City is in the concert business now, too. We want to stay the premier site in the state. This proposal isn't a recent response to competition for concerts. We've been making plans for improvements to Hilton for several years.