The Dallas City Council voted 9-6 on Wednesday to keep the current redesign of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, which will eliminate the Houston Street and Jefferson Street viaducts. The decision keeps construction on schedule but will change traffic patterns between Oak Cliff and downtown Dallas.

Background

The controversy centers on a redesign that lowered the convention center by two stories as part of a cost-saving effort intended to reduce project expenses by roughly $500 million. Under the original plan, the convention center would have been tall enough to allow traffic on the Houston Street and Jefferson Street viaducts to continue passing beneath the structure.

City leaders said reversing course would have significantly increased costs and delayed the convention center project, while opponents argued the plan would weaken a critical transportation link for residents. Visit Dallas President and CEO Craig Davis urged council members to keep the project moving, citing the potential loss of convention-related business.

Reaction

Residents and community leaders from Oak Cliff voiced concerns that the redesign will make it more difficult to reach downtown. Dallas City Council member Chad West, whose district includes parts of Oak Cliff, opposed the plan, saying it would limit Oak Cliff’s connection to downtown.

Supporters of the current plan argued that another redesign would jeopardize the project’s economic benefits and further delay construction. The council directed city staff to continue advancing the project without additional delays.

Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.