Dallas should consider building new $1.9 billion worth convention center, consultant hired by the city of Dallas say
Dallas, TX – Despite the fact that the city still owes money on an expansion of the current convention center and on the convention center hotel, the city should consider building new convention center, a consultant hired by the city of Dallas told the council committee.
According to the consultant, the current convention center doesn’t meet the modern-era requirements and might leave the city of Dallas behind other cities when it comes to attracting big conventions. That said, the only way to improve things is building new, modern convention center that will feature enough meeting rooms inside and modern facilities.
The council’s transportation and infrastructure committee would have to sign off on a proposal from the consultant and city staff before the entire council could vote. Dallas voters would also need to approve increasing the city’s hotel/motel tax to help pay for the project.
The consultants that worked on the project say that the new center would cost $1.9 billion and the best option is to be built to the west of the existing convention center in the southwest corner of downtown.
The project comes at a time when the city still owes more than $600 million, $200 million from the most recent convention center upgrade and as much as $400 million on the hotel.
The committee opted to delay by at least one month any recommendation on the proposal for a new facility.