Reimagining the Heart of Dallas

The master plan is on schedule. Major construction is expected to be substantially completed by late 2028, with the new convention center opening in 2029 for events. Grand opening celebrations are planned for 2029 once all components are finished and fully operational. Individual pieces of the project will open in phases – for example, some public spaces and facilities may open earlier – but the full district will be up and running in 2029.

We welcome community involvement! There are monthly town hall meetings where you can hear the latest updates and share your input. We also host focused workshops on specific components (e.g. design workshops for Pioneer Plaza improvements) to gather ideas from residents. In addition, you can provide feedback anytime through our online surveys and the project website's feedback form. Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter to receive notifications about public meetings, surveys, and engagement opportunities. Your voice has helped shape this project from the beginning, and we want to continue hearing from you as we move forward.

Yes. We have carefully phased the project to minimize disruptions to existing operations. The current Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will continue hosting events throughout most of the construction period. The new convention center is being built on a nearby site (just west of the current one) so that the old facility can stay open until the new one is ready – ensuring no gap in service. Major cultural venues like the Memorial Auditorium and TBAAL will remain in place and will have any necessary closure periods carefully coordinated with their event schedules. Downtown Dallas will stay in business even as we build, with construction zones and event operations planned to coexist safely.

Sustainability is at the forefront of the design. All new facilities are being built to LEED-certified standards, incorporating green building elements such as solar panels for renewable energy, rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation, and energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems. We are using recycled and locally-sourced materials during construction to lower the project's carbon footprint. Notably, the new convention center will feature bird-friendly design – using fritted bird-safe glass that is subtle to people but visible to birds – to protect migratory bird populations. In addition, the plan adds substantial new green space to downtown, which will help improve air quality, reduce the heat-island effect, and manage stormwater naturally.

The convention center expansion is fundamentally an economic development initiative for Dallas. In the construction phase, the project has ambitious local hiring and contractor targets – prioritizing Dallas-based workers and businesses. Once the new center opens, conservative estimates project roughly $450 million in annual economic activity. 75 major conventions have been booked for the new center in future years, representing about $1.9 billion in total economic impact. Nearly 100 additional groups that hadn't considered Dallas in decades are now interested in bringing their events here. We're also implementing supplier diversity programs to ensure local minority- and women-owned businesses can participate in everything from construction to ongoing operations. The master plan will generate more customers for local businesses, more jobs for our residents, and a stronger tax base for city services.