Convention Center Arms Race Heats Up in Texas

Four major cities in Texas are either considering or constructing convention center upgrades.

2 minute read

November 25, 2015, 8:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Austin joins other major cities in Texas in considering substantial upgrades to its convention center this month, as the City Council contemplated a master plan to add 321,680 square feet of leasable space, a private hotel, and a three-acre roof-top park. Joe Lanane reports that after considering the master plan, the City Council decided to postpone approval of the project o study "what alternative projects, including a potential arena, could be funded using the city’s hotel occupancy tax, or HOT tax, revenue."

In total, the "expansion would cost $405.3 million and another $45 million to $50 million for land acquisition." The convention center was last upgraded in 2002.

Making the case for the expansion is Mark Tester, the director of the convention center. Lanane paraphrases Tester's case for investing in upgrades for the facility: "Until a convention center expansion occurs, the facility risks losing new and existing events because of lack of availability and space."

If that argument sounds familiar, it's because convention center officials in Dallas are hitting similar points in arguing for an upgrade of that city's convention center. Dallas officials, in fact, invoked Austin's efforts in an article by Karen Robinson-Jacobs earlier this month.

Lest we leave any cities in Texas out of this arms race. San Antonio is wrapping up a $325 million expansion of its convention center, recently moving up the opening date from February to January 2016. Houston is also spending $175 million to spiff up some of the on-site facilities at its convention center.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015 in Community Impact Newspaper

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.