Wood River Plans Public Hearing On Hollywood River Business District
Two new sales taxes would be imposed within business district boundaries to help fund construction of a hotel and esports arena on the Hollywood River Studios campus.
Wood River City Council Meeting
WOOD RIVER – A public hearing is set on the possible establishment of a new business district to fund the future construction of a hotel and esports arena at Hollywood River Studios.
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Wood River officials broke ground earlier this month on the future site of Hollywood River Studios, which is planned to include multiple film production studios and an esports arena. The city finalized the $1 million land sale in February of 2026 after the project was first proposed in June of 2025.
According to a Hollywood River Business District Plan prepared by PGAV Planners, the project is unable to move forward without financial incentives to offset development costs, and the proposed business district would help fund part of the project costs.
Specifically, proceeds from the new business district would support the construction of the 10,000 square foot esports arena and a new 150-room “Production Hotel” offering lodging to studio visitors. The cost to develop and implement the business district, including property acquisition, construction and more, is estimated at $2.762 million.
The site’s development cost would be partially funded by two new sales taxes imposed within the boundaries of the new business district, which occupies approximately 131 acres across 11 parcels within the EnviroTech Business Park. These include a 1% retailer’s and service occupations sales tax and 1% hotel operator’s occupation sales tax, which would not be imposed on residents outside the new business district boundaries.
According to the Business District Plan, certain public infrastructure improvements, mostly consisting of roadway reconstruction, will be necessary to accommodate the new development. However, the exact specifications of these improvements has not yet been determined.
An ordinance to approve the plan and schedule a public hearing on the business district was approved unanimously by City Council members at their Nov. 2, 2026 meeting.
The ordinance states the proposed site of the business district is currently deteriorated, lacks “an adequate street layout” and has become an “economic liability to the community.” By establishing the business district, the city aims not only to remove the “blighting conditions” on the property, but also attract future development to the site.
A public hearing to gather input from community members on the proposed business district is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2026 at Wood River City Hall, located at 111 N. Wood River Ave.
A recording of the Nov. 2, 2026 Wood River City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
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