D Magazine: Dallas City Council Approves $187 Million as Part of Convention Center Project

View original story here: https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/09/dallas-city-council-approves-187-million-as-part-of-convention-center-project/

(Christine Perez) - The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center expansion continues to move forward. On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council awarded more than $187 million in contracts for key components of the project.  

The Council approved $141.5 million for work by Perkins&Will and Populous for architectural, engineering, and design services for the component that involves expanding the complex west of Lamar. Chicago-based Perkins&Will and Kansas City-based Populous have committed to more than 50 percent participation by minority and women-owned businesses.  

Dallas City Council also approved $42 million in city contributions and $31 million in federal funding to build decks over Interstate 30 near downtown and the Cedars. This money included $20 million from the Reconnecting Communities grant program awarded through a partnership with the North Central Texas Council of Governments. These funds will be used to construct foundations for three deck caps, as well as the capping and foundation of the Lamar crossing, near the convention center. 

Additionally, Dallas-based Metropolitan Infrastructure was awarded a contract of more than $3.7 million to oversee the renovation of Pioneer Plaza and Cemetery. 

“The City Council has made a transformational investment to realize the vision for a reimagined Convention Center district,” said Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert in a statement. “The local and global expertise of our project partners will be instrumental in creating a facility that not only meets current and future convention demands but connects the surrounding residential community and serves downtown workers, benefitting Dallas economic growth and social vibrancy for generations.”  

More than 40 conventions are booked in the expanded facility, which is scheduled to open in 2029. The upgrades include 800,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, 170,000 square feet of ballroom space, 100,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 2,000 parking spaces. Overall management of the project was awarded last year to Inspire Dallas, a team led by Matthews Southwest, Kaizen Development Partners, Azteca Enterprises, and nearly 30 subcontractors.