Matthews Scores $65M Contract for Dallas Convention Center Rebuild

Jack Matthews has nabbed a major contract to rebuild the Dallas convention center.

The Dallas City Council approved a six-year, $65 million contract with one of Matthews’ firms to oversee the rebuild of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, the Dallas Morning News reported. The venue, located at 650 South Griffin Street in downtown Dallas, will be redeveloped to the tune of nearly $3 billion as the city aims to boost tourism spending and compete with other cities.

Matthews beat out six other bidders for the contract including WSP, which developed the master plan for the convention center redevelopment.

Matthews’ company, Matthews Southwest, has been involved in construction and renovation at several downtown icons, such as the Omni Hotel, the old Dallas High School building and Gilley’s. At the city council meeting discussing the plan, Matthews said his subcontractors are currently building convention centers in Florida, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

Construction is expected to start next year and run into 2028.

The city council last year voted to tear the convention center down and build a new one. There are currently about $700 million in deferred maintenance costs at the center. The new building is expected to cover 2.5 million square feet, which would make it about 500,000 square feet larger than the existing center. It will also include a park built over Interstate 30, set to open by 2030.

The City Council voted 12-1 to approve the contract with Matthews. The lone no vote, Cara Mendelsohn, took issue with the price.

Planners hope to turn the 30 acres around the center into an entertainment district with more hotels, restaurants, offices and homes.