The city of Dallas held the first of three town hall meetings for feedback on plans for a new convention center. Candace Sweat attended Thursday night’s town hall and has more on where this project stands and what it all means for residents in the coming years.
On Thursday, the first of three town halls will take place on the major plan to expand the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
Residents can weigh in and learn more from city leaders about the $3 billion project that is expected to create more jobs, boost tourism, and form a bridge between downtown and South Dallas. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) Master Plan is considered by many stakeholders to be one of the biggest projects in Downtown Dallas for generations.
The 65-year-old building will go through a major expansion, taking over empty lots and garages around it. Plans also include adding in more residential, hotel, retail, and restaurant space throughout the convention center district.
The Interstate 30 canyon will get a once-in-a-generation upgrade, with the convention center and the interstate no longer being a dividing point between downtown and South Dallas.
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If you live, commute, or spend any time in the downtown area, this project will impact you in the years to come. That's why Downtown Dallas Inc. Is keeping a close eye on this project and the town halls that are keeping residents in the loop.
“It's hard to believe November will be two years since the voters voted for Proposition A, which was to begin this work,” said Jennifer Scripps, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc. "I think it's a good way to take stock and see how far we've come in almost two years, but really the work ahead of us as we march towards opening day in 2029."
DDI is an advocacy group for the 80,000 people living in a two-mile radius of downtown Dallas, which has undergone a population boom in recent years.
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Scripps said this project will finally connect downtown to nearby districts like the Cedars with greenery and walkable areas.
"So that downtown is not an island,” said Scripps, speaking on the success of other downtown connectors like Klyde Warren Park and Carpenter Park. “With our connections south over I-30, I really believe there's a huge opportunity to serve downtown with this project, but also grow south in a really vibrant, connective way."
A groundbreaking took place in June to kick off the start of utilities work and prepping the area for major construction.
Then last month, the Dallas City Council awarded over $187 million in contracts for key components of the convention center project, including architects, engineers, and other contractors.
"We've been reassured recently that things are moving apace, and we'll continue to engage really closely. There will inevitably be bumps in the road, but we're feeling really good about the progress and the opportunity that this presents for downtown Dallas,” Scripps said.
Thursday's town hall meeting was hosted by Councilman Jesse Moreno of District 2. Moreno says one key goal was to educate the public on how the project will be funded.
“It’s not costing the residents of Dallas a single dime. This is being funded by people who come visit the city and that’s how we are funding this convention center,” he said.
There have also been promises that once complete, the convention center will serve as an economic boost for South Dallas communities.
“That means that we are going to have workforce all the way from people who are helping manage and construct the building all the way to full-time employees and down the road when the convention center is open having people who have annual jobs,” said Moreno.
Overall, the project is expected to create upwards of 50,000 temporary and permanent jobs.
It’s been two years since Proposition A landed on the city’s November 2022 ballot. It was the final step for approving the convention center Master Plan. It’s set to be complete before 2029 with more than 50 organizations and companies already slated to hold conventions at what will be the new facility.
TOWN HALLS
Each town hall will update residents on the progress made so far and the next steps in the KBHCCD Master Plan.
There are three town halls scheduled in October, and more will be added across the city in the coming months.
The first town hall took place on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Dallas Public Library across from city hall. Council members Jesse Moreno of District 2 and Paul E. Ridley of District 14 lead the event.
The next town hall is Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Singing Hills Recreation Center in southern Dallas, led by Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins of District 8.
The third town hall will be Oct. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Buckner Terrace Montessori in East Dallas, led by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua of District 7.
