City to fund temporary GoLink and design review as Convention Center undergoes master‑plan work; streetcar connector remains a Dallas priority

City staff and DART described an interlocal agreement to mitigate impacts from Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center construction and discussed streetcar planning.

Rosa Plumbing, director of convention and event services for the City of Dallas, said the city will cover costs for a limited GoLink service to operate for an initial 18 months to serve the area while construction is underway, including the FIFA period, as well as costs to "cocoon" DART infrastructure so demolition and construction do not damage system assets. The city will also pay DART staff or third‑party consultants to expedite plan reviews and coordination.

DART staff said closing parts of the convention center station does not yield significant operational savings because assets must still be operated and maintained, so the city is paying to cover construction coordination costs. Rosa Plumbing estimated weekday ridership for the convention center station at about 700 riders per day (not including FIFA event surges).

Separately, several council members reiterated that the downtown streetcar connector ("D2") is a high priority for the City of Dallas and asked DART to return to council with details if staff propose changes; DART board members acknowledged the council's position and said the history of earlier appropriations and project reassignments requires more documentation and follow‑up.

DART said it will monitor GoLink performance during the closure and adjust service if demand differs from expectations.