Plans for a $3.7-billion overhaul and expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas are moving ahead as the Dallas City Council voted to approve contracts for architect and engineering services for two of the project’s components Jan. 8.
The latest contracts include $25.1 million with Gensler for design of the renovation and reconstruction of the Dallas Memorial Auditorium and $22.3 million with KAI Design for The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL).
“We are thrilled that both of these firms … will connect communities through their designs for residents and visitors alike,” said Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert in a statement.
Gensler will work with a team led by McKissack and McKissack, which officials previously selected as the project manager for the auditorium, which is also planned to serve as the home of the WNBA’s Dallas Wings basketball team starting next year. KAI will support a team led by Dikita Enterprises Inc., which is leading the TBAAL component of the redevelopment.
Work is already advancing on other portions of the plan. In November, Dallas officials awarded a construction manager at-risk contract for the main convention center component to Trinity Alliance Ventures LLC. The contractor is a joint venture team led by AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Co. along with 14 other firms. Developer Inspire Dallas is leading this component of the project, and Perkins&Will and Populous are providing architect, engineer and design services under a $141.5-million contract.
The updated convention center is planned to have 800,000 sq ft of exhibit hall space, 170,000 sq ft of ballrooms and 260,000 sq ft of meeting rooms. Event organizers plan to begin using the space in 2029.
City leaders also selected Dallas-based Metropolitan Infrastructure PLLC to manage another component, the renovation of Pioneer Plaza and Cemetery.
Local voters approved a 2% hotel tax in 2022 to fund the project.
