Convention Center Expansion Updates

[Riverranchdrone]

It should be rotated about 180 degrees. That will connect the elevated walkways and block the sun on the open area.

[Novacek]

The whole report is at the councils work session meeting page.

https://services.austintexas.gov/edi....cfm?id=446335

[davidtexan]

By popular demand: the new Austin Convention Center reimagined as the new downtown HEB.

[Maximusx1]

Originally Posted by davidtexan

By popular demand: the new Austin Convention Center reimagined as the new downtown HEB.

LOL that's perfect

[ahealy]

Holy shit David you deserve an Oscar.

[drummer]

You may have just inspired a corporate sponsorship deal also.

[Mopacs]

LOL, the cart return is a great touch.

[Speculator]

They used City Hall and the library as design references and wanted to maintain consistency. The problem is that City Hall is atrocious and should be torn down.

I think the design is actually pretty cool and leaves a lot of room for expansion. It's the facade, cladding, curtain walls that are sus. To be fair, the paseo is cool.

[ATX2030]

On the bright side at least we've got one thing going for us, the new convention center would be the first Zero Carbon Certified Convention Center in the whole wide world!

[Bblasa]

Nooooo I can’t unsee it now

[Jdawgboy]

So how much larger are they able to do for a future expansion?

35th largest convention space is kinda underwhelming. I would think the city would push for at least somewhere in the top 30.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

So how much larger are they able to do for a future expansion?

35th largest convention space is kinda underwhelming. I would think the city would push for at least somewhere in the top 30.

I agree that this expansion is underwhelming. There is a lot of info about the expansion at the link in Novacek's last post. A future expansion would allow for an additional 140K Sq Ft. That doesn't seem like much.

[Lobotomizer]

Hasn't the plan always been to double the size of the convention center, and improved the streets connectivity in the neighborhood?

Austin has never wanted to build a truly massive convention center, and compete with Chicago, Las Vegas, or Orlando for the largest of convention center events.

This is a massive expansion of Austin's convention center, and gets it to the size Austin needs for the types of events the city wants.

It just seems like the aesthetics aren't up to par in some people's opinions. Of course that is subjective, and like the City Hall and downtown library this takes it's design cues from looks great imo.

[AusTex]

Most convention centers have exteriors that are sterile and foreboding. They may be architectural gems but are pedestrian wastelands outside. These renderings At Least Are; human scale, accessible and connect to the surroundings, have nature and greenery, a mix of materials and color.

I want to see All the exterior renderings/elevations. And plans. So far it is a very unconventional take on a convention center. Keep Austin...Unconventional, Right!

And yes size matters. Is it the right size for the next few generations? It will not be able to grow out, only up, unless the land is city owned. Is the one expansion option enough? The powers that be, have spoken.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by Lobotomizer

Hasn't the plan always been to double the size of the convention center, and improved the streets connectivity in the neighborhood?

Austin has never wanted to build a truly massive convention center, and compete with Chicago, Las Vegas, or Orlando for the largest of convention center events.

This is a massive expansion of Austin's convention center, and gets it to the size Austin needs for the types of events the city wants.

It just seems like the aesthetics aren't up to par in some people's opinions. Of course that is subjective, and like the City Hall and downtown library this takes it's design cues from looks great imo.

I'm not saying it needs to be as large as any of those cities convention centers that you mentioned, but as large as Austin is and it's growing tourism, you'd think they would want to have it on par with Houston, Dallas and SA. Just seems like we will be back at square one in 20 years after the convention center is rebuilt. Small and in need of expansion, more than 140k sqf.

[Lobotomizer]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I'm not saying it needs to be as large as any of those cities convention centers that you mentioned, but as large as Austin is and it's growing tourism, you'd think they would want to have it on par with Houston, Dallas and SA. Just seems like we will be back at square one in 20 years after the convention center is rebuilt. Small and in need of expansion, more than 140k sqf.

That is a valid concern. Hopefully the decision makers have done their homework. Everything I've read over the last few years leads me to believe they have, and this will allow the city to attract the events and meetings it's been losing out to other cities.

[ATX2030]

Why is it that Austin never builds for the future? Always building just enough to get by and then realizing 5 years down the road it's too small and needs to expand. Don't wait, build the 140k future expansion today. Build it now. For once get ahead of the game.

Same thing goes for the new concourse B at AUS. Build out the entire 40 gate concourse. Anyone that has lived here long enough knows as soon as they complete the current expansion it will need to be expanded!

Lose all the Zero Carbon Certified nonsense. No telling how much more that adds to the overall cost of the projects.

It's going to be a massive mess and inconvenience for both projects. In the long run it's cheaper to do it now than in the future.

After living here 50+ years I should know better by now but hope springs eternal!

[ATX2030]

The CC and the airport are some of the biggest revenue generators for the city. The added 140k at the CC would allow for not only bigger conventions but would also allow for simultaneous conventions/functions, both which bring in more money for the city.

A larger airport does the same, more money.

Also I would have the starter line for LR begin at that airport and travel DT to the CC, connecting two of the largest revenue generators for the city. It could expand from there.

[SproutingTowers]

More room for the SXSW Flatstock.

https://communityimpact.com/austin/s...sign-revealed/

[gillynova]