Two minority-led firms to oversee major Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center renovations

KERA | By Nathan Collins
February 28, 2024

The Dallas City Council unanimously voted to grant two large contracts for work on the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to two Black or women led construction firms.

The decision came after a cast of supporters showed up to City Hall to advocate for the two companies — including Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price.

Washington D.C. based firm McKissack and McKissack was awarded a nearly $8 million dollar contract to manage the renovations to the Dallas Memorial Arena. The firm is led by President and Chief Executive Officer Deryl McKissack.

“My lineage traces back five generations to my great-great grandfather who was brought to this country as a slave,” McKissack said during Wednesday’s meeting. “And in 1912 my great uncle…opened his doors here in Dallas as an architect. So today, I am a testament to the American dream.”

Yfat Yossifor/KERA