26-02-2025
Austin convention center revamp revealed
The Austin Convention Center, due to close in April for a major rebuild, will reopen in spring 2029, per a presentation this week to Austin council members.
Why it matters: Conventions are a key part of the Austin economy — along with gatherings ranging from bachelorette parties to music festivals — and city officials say a revamped convention center is key to capturing business.
By the numbers: Austin is the 11th-largest city in the U.S. but has the 66th-largest convention center. After the reconstruction, it will be the 35th-largest, Katy Zamesnik, assistant director of the convention center, told the city council.
The project will expand Austin's convention space from 365,000 square feet to about 620,000 square feet.
The bottom line: The $1.6 billion project, known as Unconventional ATX, will be paid for by hotel occupancy tax and convention center revenues.
