Dallas Sticking to Original Plan to Rebuild Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Dallas may stick to its original plan to rebuild the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center after months of uncertainty and debate. The city’s decision comes after developer Ray Washburne announced plans to sell the old Dallas Morning News building, a key component of the project, to a data firm.
The chosen design, unveiled at a community briefing, mirrors the site plan the City Council approved last year to avoid conflicts with the Texas Department of Transportation’s plan to widen Interstate 30, the Union Pacific rail line, and a high-speed rail project to connect Dallas with Houston and Fort Worth.
Background and Context
The $3.7 billion redevelopment project has been in the works for several years, with the city aiming to create a state-of-the-art convention center that can compete with other major cities. However, the project has faced several setbacks, including uncertainty over the future of the old Dallas Morning News building.
The city had considered 16 different conceptual designs, including plans shared by Hunt Realty that shifted the convention center closer to the Reunion Tower, a property it owns. However, the city indicated that it was closing the door to that proposition.
Design and Features
The chosen design includes a plaza and pedestrian connections, with the main entrance to the convention center facing City Hall. New exhibit halls will not be disjointed the way they are currently, and the Omni Hotel will still have a connection to the revamped events space.
“We feel this is the most viable option going forward,” said Michael Lockwood, who is part of the design and architecture team leading the project.
Updates and Progress
Among other updates, Rosa Fleming, who oversees the city’s convention and event services department, said the city had completed reworking the water and utility lines since last year’s groundbreaking. Jack Matthews, the developer at the helm of Inspire Dallas, said officials were in the midst of creating the “building blocks” of the final product.
“The architectural design is starting now,” Matthews said, adding that officials were trying to stay within the budget.
Jack Matthews, president of Matthews Group, speaks about an update on the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center master plan during a community briefing, Thursday, April 3, 2025, at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas, as Rosa Fleming, director of Dallas Convention and Event Services looks on. (Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer)
Next Steps
Fleming added that the city’s financial advisor said the project could stay within $2.5 billion to $3.5 billion, but she cautioned that none of the plans were final until the City Council gave it a seal of approval.
Council members are scheduled to receive a comprehensive briefing on May 21.
Conclusion
The decision to stick to the original plan is a significant development in the project, which has faced several setbacks and uncertainties. The city is moving forward with the chosen design, which includes a plaza and pedestrian connections, and is working to stay within the budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center redevelopment project?
A: The city is moving forward with the original plan, which includes a plaza and pedestrian connections, and is working to stay within the budget.
Q: What is the estimated cost of the project?
A: The estimated cost of the project is between $2.5 billion and $3.5 billion.
Q: What is the timeline for the project?
A: The city is scheduled to receive a comprehensive briefing on May 21, and the project is expected to be completed in the coming years.
Q: What are the key features of the new convention center?
A: The new convention center will include a plaza and pedestrian connections, with the main entrance facing City Hall. New exhibit halls will not be disjointed, and the Omni Hotel will still have a connection to the revamped events space.
