City Council Hearing: FY2027 BCC; May 29, 2026

The City Council hearing held by the CharmTV Citizens' Hub on May 29, 2026, focused on the Baltimore City Convention Center's (BCC) fiscal year 2027 budget request and operational updates. Matt Campbell, the BCC Executive Director, presented the center's economic impact, highlighting $5.5 million in city tax revenue and $14.5 million in state tax revenue generated in fiscal 2025, along with over 279 million dollars in direct and indirect economic impact. The discussion included capital improvement projects such as restroom upgrades, a new pedestrian skybridge, roof and foundation repairs, and staff locker room enhancements. The council also addressed funding strategies, including the potential use of a food and beverage tax within a 15-mile radius to support the convention center's operations and capital needs, though it was clarified that a 3% across-the-board tax was not proposed. The meeting covered the need for a design study funded at $4.5 million in the capital budget to inform future renovation costs and support legislative efforts for incremental financial support through state tax increment financing (TIFF) packages. The council emphasized the importance of infrastructure improvements downtown to complement the convention center's revitalization and discussed the unique funding model where the center's deficit is subsidized two-thirds by the state. No formal votes or contract awards were recorded during this session.