The Dallas City Council on Jan. 8 approved multiple professional design contracts tied to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center master plan. The actions included an architecture and engineering contract for component 4 — renovation and reconstruction of the Black Academy of Arts and Letters — with KAI Alliance (d/b/a KAI Design) at a pre-negotiated design fee of $1,203,698 and total authorization not to exceed $22,261,116; the council also approved a design contract for the Dallas Memorial Auditorium/Arena (component 3) with Gensler (dba M Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates) and related appropriation adjustments.

Council members and staff framed the approvals as key steps in a multi-year redevelopment that will modernize convention and entertainment facilities downtown and create opportunities for cultural venues and a new arena experience for the Dallas Wings basketball team. Council speakers repeatedly praised the high MWBE participation recorded in the procurement for the Black Academy work; staff said KAI’s proposal and partner Moody Nolan produce an overall MWBE participation level of roughly 74.7% and included Black- and Hispanic-owned firms as lead partners.

Council members also asked questions about scope and cost. Staff said the Black Academy scope contemplates a major theater renovation including ADA upgrades, acoustics and lighting, seating improvements and possible roof modification depending on schematic design conclusions; staff noted the building has not been substantially renovated in several decades. Council members asked about cost differences between full demolition and construction of a new facility; staff replied schematic work and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) estimates will be returned to council for approval during CMAR preconstruction once design advances. Staff identified an estimated construction budget (from advance planning and escalation factors) that has been used in early planning, and said a CMAR procurement will follow to establish GMPs for construction.

For the arena contract, the council approved a restructuring of appropriation sources to reflect both bond proceeds and convention center construction funds. Council members emphasized the economic development potential of a modern arena and convention complex and asked staff to propose long-term major-maintenance funding to avoid future deferred-maintenance declines. Councilmember motions included a directive asking staff to study sustainable funding for long-term maintenance of the renovated facilities.

Ending: The council’s approvals advance design and preconstruction phases. Staff said future council votes will include CMAR preconstruction contracts and GMP construction packages; council members asked that staff present a maintenance funding plan as part of the ongoing project update cycle.