COVID-19 slowed improvements at MPEC, auditorium City leaders have not forgotten voters approved a two percent increase in the Hotel Occupancy Tax – it’s just that COVID-19 came along. Wichitans signed off on the tax increase in November 2019. It was earmarked for improvements and renovations at the MPEC complex and Memorial Auditorium. “We got a list of projects, the highest priorities being replacement of the roofs at the MPEC Exhibit Hall and the Bridwell Ag Center,” City Manager Darron Leiker said. The arrival of the pandemic slowed business at hotels and reduced money generated by the hotel tax substantially. “We have not started,” Leiker said.