Blackstone patrons will see an increase in their restaurant and bar bills.
On Tuesday, the Omaha City Council approved a tax plan that will provide money to a renovation project at the Blackstone Hotel. The enhanced employment area raises occupation taxes in the neighborhood along Farnam Street.
The plan raises the taxes nearly 2% on all food, drinks and retail sales in the neighborhood. In addition to the food and drink tax, a $120 per apartment per year fee will be added, plus a tax of 25 cents per square foot of commercial office space and 3% of hotel revenues in the district.
The tax increase will help pay for about $22 million worth of renovations on the historic Blackstone Hotel at 36th and Farnam, a project that could take up to 30 years, although developers hope to have it done in 15. The council also approved $7.8 million in tax-increment financing for the hotel project.
The tax proposal is similar to ones being utilized to help pay for the Capitol District downtown and Topgolf project near Westroads Mall.