Austin Convention Center Redevelopment and Expansion Analysis (2021)
The Convention Center contracted with HVS Consulting to update their previous work related to the economic impact and financial viability of the expansion project. HVS evaluated the market viability and economic impact of the redevelopment and expansion of the existing convention center based on the proof of concept, finding that an expanded Convention Center would positively impact the City overall.
Austin Convention Center Redevelopment and Expansion Proof of Concept (2021)
The Proof of Concept was developed by Gensler Architects in conjunction with Conventional Wisdom following the end of negotiations with the property owners to the west of the existing Convention Center. It reimagines the redevelopment and expansion of the Center as a larger facility on a smaller footprint, fully contained within the existing property lines of the Convention Center.
Austin Convention Center Expansion Impact and Market Viability Study (2020)
Released in 2020, the Austin Convention Center Expansion Impact and Market Viability Study was the result of several months of hard work by Conventional Wisdom, HVS Consulting, and Austin Convention Center staff. It built off the Master Plan Update, noting that the current Convention Center is at a competitive disadvantage due to a lack of meeting space and adequately sized exhibit hall and ballroom space as compared to its peers.
Austin Convention Center Master Plan Update (2020)
In January 2020, the City of Austin engaged Gensler and Conventional Wisdom to update the master plan with an emphasis on the Scenario 5 development strategy proposed in the UT Study. The update is not intended to be a comprehensive master plan.
Frameworks for Placemaking/UT Center for Sustainable Development Report (2019)
In 2017, The Austin City Council authorized a group of The University of Texas at Austin academic researchers to study and report on possibilities and considerations for an expansion of the Austin Convention Center. The final report presented several scenario options for the expansion of the Convention Center, with Scenario 5 being Council’s ultimate stated preferred scenario.
Visitor Impact Task Force Report (2017)
The Visitor Impact Task Force (VITF or Task Force) was created by resolution 20160818-075 approved by the Austin City Council (Council) on August 18, 2016. The 18-member Task Force represented a variety of visitor industry interests, and published a report pursuant to the directives of the City Council resolution.
Urban Land Institute Special Report (2015)
In 2015, a panel of highly qualified panel members of the Urban Land Institute convened to review and evaluate the findings of the Long-Range Master Plan. The report noted ten recommendations, but supported an expansion, and confirmed that Scenario 3b was the best option to achieve the goals of the Long Range Master Plan.
Long-Range Master Plan (2015)
Released in 2015, the original Master Plan called for the expansion of the Convention Center, and spoke to the creation of a convention center district that “leverages and complements the extensive and varied hotel room supply, restaurants and entertainment venues nearby…enhancing Austin’s growing reputation as a major destination city.”
