The Fort Worth Convention Center \u2014 built when bell-bottoms, paisley prints and go-go boots were all the rage \u2014 completed the first phase of its upgrade, paving the way for an even more expansive second phase.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elected and tourism officials, business leaders and construction partners gathered at the new southeast entrance to celebrate the first phase on Monday. Attendees got the first look at the new atrium lobby and retail coffee bar Beltbuckle Brew.<\/p>\n
Totaling 76,794 square feet, the $95 million first phase of the project includes a new southeast entrance and terrace, upgraded food and beverage facilities, the addition of four new loading docks \u2014 bringing the total to 11 \u2014 and the realignment of Commerce Street to create a site for a future hotel and additional retail or restaurants.<\/p>\n
\u201cFort Worth provides the Texas experience that meeting planners want, and the Phase I convention center expansion and modernization exceeds those expectations,\u201d Mayor Mattie Parker said. \u201cThis milestone, along with Phase II construction, will increase capacity to host conferences from across the nation, bolstering our already impressive convention and tourism industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first phase of construction was funded by a combination of $52 million in federal pandemic-era stimulus money and $43 million in debt. Revenue from the new tax rate from the city\u2019s hotel tax, approved by the voters in May 2024<\/a>, will repay that debt as well as fund the second phase.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fort Worth voters approved a 2-percentage point increase in the tax, to 17%. Houston and Austin each have 17% hotel occupancy tax rates. Dallas\u2019 rate is 15%.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hotel occupancy tax \u2014 what hotel guests pay when they book rooms \u2014 is the primary source of revenue for the cultural and tourism fund. The approval of the additional hotel tax also sets the city up to pay for future tourism-related projects, including incentives for a new hotel on Commerce Street and funding improvements to the Will Rogers Memorial Center.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tourism is a $3.5 billion industry for Fort Worth and one of its largest employers with more than 30,000 jobs, according to Visit Fort Worth. In 2024, the city reported 11.5 million visitors, generating $251 million in state and local taxes.<\/p>\n Phase I of the convention center upgrades emphasizes pedestrian access and improving the area\u2019s walkability and connection to the surrounding area, which includes the Water Gardens, Trinity Metro Central Station, the new Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus and surrounding hotels.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is only the first step in a bolder future for Fort Worth as a convention destination,\u201d said Mike Crum, public events director for the city.<\/p>\n The expansion is taking place in two phases and the facility is remaining operational during both. Crum said renderings of the next phase will be shared within the next few months.<\/p>\n Phase II of renovations is expected to begin in late 2026 and run through early 2030. It includes demolition of the 1968 arena, often called the \u201cflying saucer,\u201d at the northern end of the building.<\/p>\n After the convention center opened in 1968 as the Tarrant County Convention Center, it hosted some of the top bands of the era, including the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Guess Who, Grand Funk Railroad, Bob Dylan (whose \u201cBefore the Flood\u201d album was recorded there), Elvis Presley, Metallica, B.B. King and U2 (who recorded part of their \u201cRattle and Hum\u201d film there) and Three Dog Night.<\/p>\n The expanded convention center will include new exhibit halls, a second ballroom and modern meeting rooms.\u00a0<\/p>\n The cost for the second phase is expected to be $60 million for design and preconstruction and $546 million for construction.\u00a0<\/p>\n Broaddus & Associates is serving as project manager in partnership with Elements of Architecture. Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates<\/a>, a global architectural design firm, teamed with Bennett Partners<\/a> on design and construction administration services. AECOM Hunt<\/a>, Byrne Construction Services<\/a> and E.J. Smith Construction <\/a>created a joint venture to serve as construction manager at risk for the project.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven the success of the team in terms of delivering Phase I ahead of time and on budget, yes, we intend to keep the team together,\u201d Crum said.\u00a0<\/p>\n