Development
BY BEN THOMPSON
After a decade of planning, the nearly 33-year-old Austin Convention Center will soon be torn down and rebuilt through a four- year project that will transform six square blocks of downtown Austin. The $1.6 billion redevelopment kicks o with the center’s closure in April, soon after South by Southwest Conference & Festivals, with reopening set in time for that event in 2029. It’ll eventually boost the local economy and Austin’s national prole, as well as impact the surrounding area, and city hotel and tourism operations in the years ahead, ocials said. Local leaders said the project will better position the center, which is much smaller than Houston, Dallas and San Antonio’s and already losing business due to its size. It’s also expected to help revitalize the area with new public features and a more inviting presence. New convention center revealed
What it means
The city of Austin projects the new center and exhibitions it’ll draw will bring a signi cant nancial lift. The current facility has generated an esti- mated $468.8 million in annual economic impacts, supported more than 2,700 permanent jobs and has helped generate well over $100 million in city hotel taxes a year. The revamp will boost those gures by nearly two-thirds, adding an additional $285 million in economic impact and over 1,600 new jobs. “This investment will create an active, modern, e cient and dynamic space that strengthens Aus- tin’s position as a premier event destination while driving long-term bene ts for local businesses and the economy for years to come,” convention center spokesperson Derick Hackett said.
The convention center rebuild is expected to signi cantly increase downtown Austin’s exhi- bition space, modernizing the campus in what Mayor Kirk Watson dubbed the “living room” of the Austin community with several additions both inside and outside the building. O cials said a major change visitors will notice is a shift away from previous genera- tions of bulky centers that blanket multiple city blocks. After redevelopment, it’ll be more accessible and open to the public—most notice- ably with the reopening of Second and Third streets to vehicle and pedestrian tra c through the property. The project, funded solely through local lodging and convention revenue set aside for the work, will feature new street-level retail and dining options around the site.
A new footprint
Austin
Downtown Station
Austin Convention Center facilities
Hotels Retail
Restored Palm Park (in progress)
Reopened street* Pedestrian path
35
Waterloo Greenway (in progress) Red Line rail (current) Project Connect rail (proposed)
Cesar Chavez Station
The convention center complex will feature new public areas.
SOURCE: AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT *THIRD STREET WILL REOPEN FOR MULTIMODAL TRAFFIC
COURTESY AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER DEPARTMENT
N
What’s next
especially during the initial 1.5 years of demolition and excavation—primarily along Trinity, Red River and Cesar Chavez streets. Hackett said the city is actively engaging with anyone “living, commuting or working” within 1 mile of the center to oer real-time street closure updates, information available through text, newsletters, social media and community surveys.
High-rise construction on Rainey Street, the yearslong I-35 expansion, the Waterloo Greenway project and other initiatives alongside the convention center will leave the corner of downtown looking like what Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called a “war zone.” Project team members acknowledge the work is likely to aect nearby residents, businesses and downtown visitors—
The project timeline is partially based around one of the center’s biggest draws, SXSW. Closure and demolition are scheduled to begin weeks after this year’s event, and the new building will reopen in winter 2028 ahead of the 2029 festival. SXSW will remain in Austin in the interim, and a spokesperson said they are excited about a “reimagining” for a few years before returning to the convention center.
27
ROUND ROCK EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook