09.24.2024

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89º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. | Sunset 7:20 p.m.
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🏗️ Conventional wisdom

A timeline of Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center $3+ billion expansion

DALtoday Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas exterior

The new Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas will have a much larger footprint thanks to the expansion. | Rendering via City of Dallas

Construction projects with billion-dollar-price tags don’t happen overnight — just look at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

The Dallas-based facility is in the midst of a $3+ billion project that will drastically overhaul the longstanding building. Progress has ebbed and flowed, giving us the perfect opportunity to dig through records, releases, and reports to create a timeline of events.

2021

This project initially started in February 2021 after city leaders began developing a master plan that included the KBHCCD expansion. It was built in 1973, but hasn’t been expanded since 1994.

DALtoday Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas — A closer look of the new exterior of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. | Rendering via City of Dallas

2022

Convention and Event Services presented the project to council in February, laying out a timeline of construction, costs, and the public need. It eventually made its way through more town halls before appearing on the November 2022 ballot, under Prop A.

Dallas voters passed Prop A with 67% of the votes. Mayor Eric Johnson said it was going to become a “first-rate, first-class” facility as it will double in size for event space and hotel rooms.

2023

The project team went back to the drawing board after public and official feedback to design a new master plan for KBHCCD. The new plans showed 800,000-sqft interconnected exhibit halls + 105,000-sqft ballroom. Just a few weeks later, these plans were altered again to include a high-speed rail, among other changes.

DALtoday KBHCCD groundbreaking.png — A project of this size requires a big team and that’s what’s behind the redevelopment of KBHCCD. | Photo via KBHCCD

2024

Construction began in June, marking the start of one of the biggest projects in Dallas history.

Following the groundbreaking, the city began seeking a new construction manager. This person will be tasked with changing concepts into a reality once hired. They will also have to do so by 2028, which is currently the project’s deadline.

Most recently, City Council funded nearly $145 million towards the project, largely for design and engineering costs.

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 24

All About... Service Dogs! | Thursday, Sept. 24 | Tuesday, Sept. 24 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Preston Royal Branch Library | Free | Bring the kids after school for a pup-themed craft class inspired by National Service Dog Month.

Wednesday, Sept. 25

90s Pop Culture Trivia | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | Black Dog Retro Arcade | Free | Anything from Pokemon to Spice Girls is fair game at this nostalgic trivia night.
Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 7 p.m. | American Airlines Center | $22+ | The Stars welcome Minnesota to Dallas for a preseason match after defeating them in the playoffs last season.
Zedd | Wednesday, Sept. 25-Thursday, Sept. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | The Factory in Deep Ellum | $71+ | Spend an evening with a critically acclaimed DJ who has had multiple songs on the Billboard charts.

Thursday, Sept. 26

Pickleball and Palomas | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Preston Playhouse | $20 | Network with other Dallasites while playing friendly games of pickleball and sipping cold cocktails.

Friday, Sept. 27

Candlelight: Tribute to Whitney Houston | Friday, Sept. 27 | 6:15-7:30 p.m. | Cathedral of Hope | $30+ | Prepare for a multi-sensory experience as you listen to iconic songs by Whitney Houston under the glow of candles.
Movies on Main: “Barbie” | Friday, Sept. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Heritage Park | Free | Throw on your best Barbie and Ken outfits and watch this modern movie that’s already become a classic.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Opening

A monument honoring first responders and military members is now open near Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall. The Heroes Memorial Park monument fills a need by recognizing the impact of mental health on first responders, and 252 names are etched into the stone. (NBC 5 DFW)

Edu

On your marks, get set, fire. Two-time Olympic medalist Sha’Carri Richardson returned to D-town to debut a track that bears her namesake at Dallas ISD’s Kincaide Stadium. The track honors Richardson’s achievements and has a plaque with her quote: “I’m doing it for everyone who looks like me.”

Sports

Out of 13 competing teams, Australian team Ripper GC won LIV’s championship golf team tournament hosted by Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton. The tournament was LIV’s first-ever DFW-area event.

Closing

After 10 years in the Dallas Design District, gallery Site131 is closing. The contemporary nonprofit is hosting one last exhibition now through Saturday, Dec. 14 entitled, “Reply All,” featuring artist SV Randall. “Reply All” will also honor the memory of Site131 co-founder Seth Davidow. (CultureMap Dallas)

Weather

Cooler weather incoming. A cold front ushered in pockets of heavy rainstorms yesterday morning, which is resulting in cooler temperatures for Dallas residents this week. Looking at the forecast, high temperatures for the week are in the mid-eighties with low temps hovering around the mid-sixties. (WFAA)

Trending

WFAA Meteorologist Mariel Ruiz wants to see more young girls in STEM, so that’s what she encouraged by hosting a weekend-long STEM Strong Sisters Program. You can keep up with Ruiz and her educational efforts with young women on X.

Sports

Arch Manning makes his first career start, Jaydon Blue scores four touchdowns, and the Texas Longhorns beat Louisiana Monroe 51-3 in a blowout game. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Biz

Advertising doesn’t need to be complicated. Our self-service portal puts your message in front of 21,000+ local eyes in as little as five minutes. See how easy it is to grow.

Drink

☕️ Fueling up

Local coffee shops and cafes to try in Dallas

The outside of a coffee shop with the words "Merit Coffee Co." on the building in red lettering. The building has a large, garage-like window looking into the shop.

Merit’s Deep Ellum location offers indoor and outdoor seating. | Photo via @meritcoffee

For richer or pour over, Dallas’ coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning.

Big D has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. But if you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to some of the best coffee shops in Dallas.

Roasts to boast

Merit Coffee Co., Multiple locations | Merit’s coffee is roasted fresh on a custom-built roaster from Germany + offers a consistently solid cup of joe. The San Antonio-founded business also serves up tacos and pastries at some locations — we recommend the Deep Ellum shop.

Plenty of outlets and internet connection

Ascension Coffee, Multiple locations | While most of Ascension’s coffee shops offer plenty of seating + Wi-Fi, we particularly love the White Rock location’s vibe. If you go on the weekend, though, be prepared for a busy brunch.

30+ more coffee shops

The Buy

The Buy 9.24.24 (Affiliate)

This Halloween ghost coffee mug — it’s a great “thinking of you” gift for a friend this fall, or a sweet way to add cheer + seasonal flair to your own coffee ritual.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Mitch

From the editor

Happy Tuesday. I want to brag about my amazingly talented friend, co-worker, and fellow Texan, Nicholas Caballero, for his new photo series documenting San Antonio. These post cards feel nostalgic and cozy while modern at the same time, which has me wondering if anyone in Dallas is working on anything similar...

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