New Dallas Convention Center to Be Built On Kay Bailey Center Site

A new Dallas Convention Center will be built in place of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center, which is planned to be demolished under a plan that was set in motion after a 14 to 1 vote by the Dallas city council.

This decision was achieved after the realization that the current building, due to its state of neglect, would guzzle from US$ 500M to US$ 700M in maintenance fees and US$ 30M to US$ 40M to replace the roof.  Furthermore, the building lacks modern updates, amenities, and enough rooms to attract the most lucrative trade shows, conventions, and other events to Dallas. 

An insight into the new Dallas Convention Center

The new Dallas Convention Center has been designed with several improved structures and amenities, which include elevated ballrooms with downtown views. The development also entails opening the Griffin and Lemar Streets for natural lighting and reconfiguration of Lemar Street, which will create a central lobby and an enhanced pedestrian experience.

Also Read: The Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia, Minnesota, completed

During the development, the convention center arena and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters building will not be torn down. But a part of the center would be built over Interstate 30, with its entrance running parallel with the west side of Lemar Street/Botham Jean Boulevard.

The authorities are also trying to determine how nearby landmarks like Pioneer Cemetery and Pioneer Plaza will fit into the project.

Expectations for the project

Construction of the new Dallas Convention Center is expected to start by 2024 and be completed by 2026 at a cost of approximately US$ 2M that city plans to pay for, and other developments around the area with funds raised from hotel taxes and state money. 

Cara Mendelsohn, the lone opposing member of the council said she wasn’t convinced that this new Dallas  Convention Center would be profitable in the post-Covid world and felt the city might be rushing into the project.

However, council member, Omar Narvaez,  who led the committee that came up with the plan, mentioned that this redevelopment will open the doors for more housing, new parks, green spaces, thousands of new jobs resulting from the construction, and new businesses would thrive as well. Residents would also be able to get access to downtown from South Dallas.