Community Leaders: Convention Center’s $1.5 Billion Makeover Will Connect Downtown Neighborhoods To South Dallas

Recently named one of the best convention centers in America, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas could soon get a $1.5 billion makeover, pending voter approval. 

The Dallas City Council adopted a resolution last month to call a Nov. 8 election for the convention center expansion and improvement of Fair Park facilities, to be funded through a 2 percent increase in hotel occupancy taxes.

District 12 Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn cast the lone vote against the proposal, citing a flawed plan that retains the oldest parts of the building, $200 million in existing debt, and an uncertain future for conventions. 

“We don’t know the true cost of this plan; there hasn’t been an independent analysis of the project,” Mendelsohn said. “We haven’t considered all the uses for this space and all the other ways it connects to other parts of downtown.” 

Other community leaders, however, say the initiative will provide a much-needed connection between downtown and the southern area of the city.

Neighborhood Impact 

Jennifer Scripps, CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc., said the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Master Plan seeks to leverage and continue the momentum of more than $4 billion in projects already underway: a string of high-profile corporate relocations, four new signature parks, and a “rapidly-growing population of residents who call downtown Dallas their home and their neighborhood.” 

“This is the result of decades of good planning policy,” she said. “This opportunity to redesign the convention center advances DDI’s strategic goals to advance urban mobility, build complete neighborhoods, and promote great placemaking. It will do all of those things, and it will leverage great private-planned developments and connect neighborhoods. This opportunity is so important to improve connectivity, pedestrian access, open space, transit connections, strategic infill, and, of course, grow cultural tourism.”

True Lee Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Donald Parish Sr., a lifelong resident of the South Dallas Fair Park community, said the proposal represents opportunity — for jobs, housing, and prosperity.  

“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to not only bring development, or redevelopment, to the 277 acres that is Fair Park, but also the surrounding community,” he said. 

Realtor Sharon Quist with Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate said the project sounds great for Dallas, but it remains to be seen whether it will positively impact housing in the area.

“The renovated and expanded convention center, the Fair Park renovations and its large new park area, and the proposed I-30 deck park are all needed and long-overdue improvements in the southern segment of the downtown area,” Quist said. “Unfortunately, it is not clear whether those will improve residential housing in that area until improved infrastructure is added.”

Visitors, Not Taxpayers, Foot The Bill 

The convention center, already one of the largest in the nation, has more than a million visitors annually for everything from concerts to athletic competitions. It boasts 1 million square feet of exhibit space, three ballrooms, 88 meeting rooms, a theater, and an arena. 

Hutchison herself appeared before the Dallas City Council last month and said the expansion has the potential to remake the city, connecting downtown to the vibrant southern part of the city. The longtime U.S. senator lives in Dallas’ District 11. 

“I’m for this expansion because I know what the competition is like,” Hutchison said. “I know that the competition is heavy from other coasts, as well as in Texas. We need to be competitive. We want to be the best. We want more visitors to come to our city. When we have conventions, people come back and bring their families. It will not affect our general fund or our taxpayers. The visitors will pay for this expansion.” 

Hotel occupancy taxes cannot be used for things like public safety, street repairs, or other city services, but rather have to go toward tourism-related ventures, officials emphasized.

Crown Jewel

A coalition of more than 60 community leaders and nonprofit organizations endorsed the initiative.

District 7 Councilman Adam Bazaldua said this will be the single largest investment in Fair Park since it was constructed in 1936. 

“In fact, this investment has the potential to total more than this city has invested cumulatively since it’s been built,” he said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The convention center is going to be an enormous opportunity for us to be able to bring in more economic growth and connect neighborhoods. To be able to leverage an opportunity like this with growth in the south is extremely innovative and well past due.” 

Texas Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) said approval of the upgrades would present a historic opportunity to drive much-needed revenue to Fair Park and the convention center. 

“It’s going to mean about $300 million for Fair Park,” Anchia said in the April 27 Dallas City Council meeting. “This, in addition to other revenue streams is going to make this the crown jewel of our Dallas parks … This is Dallas’ time to shine. Big things are going to happen here.”