Irving Weekly: Dallas City Council Approves $187 Million in Contracts for Major KBH Convention Center Expansion
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On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council awarded over $187 million in contracts for key components of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) Master Plan, a major step toward enhancing Dallas as a premier convention destination.
A $141.5 million contract was awarded to Perkins&Will and Populous for architectural, engineering, and design services for the Convention Center Expansion West of Lamar (Component 1). Both firms have committed to more than 50% minority- and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) participation.
Additionally, the Council approved $42 million in City contributions and $31 million in federal funding. This includes $20 million from the Reconnecting Communities grant program, awarded through a partnership with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). The funding will be used for the construction of foundations for three deck caps and the capping and foundation of the Lamar crossing near the KBHCCD.
Metropolitan Infrastructure, PLLC, a Dallas-based M/WBE firm, received a contract exceeding $3.7 million to manage Component 5, which involves the renovation of Pioneer Plaza and Cemetery. Metropolitan Infrastructure’s team consists of 99.3% M/WBE.
Convention and Event Services will lead a team of architects, engineers, and contractors to design a Convention Center district stretching from Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station to Old City Park. This district aims to connect surrounding communities, accommodate evolving convention needs, and position Dallas as a leading event and conference destination.
Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert commented, “The City Council has made a transformational investment to realize the vision for a reimagined Convention Center district. The local and global expertise of our project partners will be instrumental in creating a facility that meets current and future convention demands while connecting the surrounding residential community and benefiting downtown workers, contributing to Dallas's economic growth and social vibrancy for generations.”
The new KBHCCD expansion, scheduled to open in 2029, will feature:
800,000 square feet of Exhibit Hall space
170,000 square feet of Ballroom space, including a 100,000-square-foot largest ballroom
260,000 square feet of Meeting Rooms
2,000 parking spaces
Over 40 conventions are already booked for the facility.
For more information about the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Master Plan, please visit DallasCCMasterPlan.com.