Mid City Times

The City of Fort Worth, in collaboration with construction management joint venture AECOM Hunt-Byrne-EJ Smith, marked a significant milestone in the expansion of the Fort Worth Convention Center with the project’s first official topping out ceremony on Thursday.

Elected officials, business leaders, and construction teams attended the event as the highest structural steel beam was hoisted into place, accompanied by the traditional fir tree. Speakers at the ceremony included Public Events Director Mike Crum, Visit Fort Worth Chairman Brian Newby, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, and City Councilmember Elizabeth Beck from District 9.

“Today is an exciting milestone as we continue to build on the success of our local tourism economy,” Parker said. “The Fort Worth Convention Center expansion is more than just a building project; it is a pivotal component of Fort Worth's vision for a vibrant, economically robust future.”

Parker highlighted that the expanded convention center would increase capacity to host national conferences and enhance pedestrian access and walkability in downtown Fort Worth through the realignment of Commerce Street.

Tourism is a $3.3 billion industry for Fort Worth and one of its largest employers with over 30,000 jobs. The convention center expansion forms part of the city’s broader economic development strategy aimed at attracting meetings from across Texas and beyond.

“Expanding our convention center means expanding opportunity for local business and creating jobs,” said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth. “The word is out about Fort Worth, and this center will enable us to keep up with growing demand to meet in our city.”

The expansion project will occur in two phases while keeping the facility operational throughout. Phase I encompasses 76,794 square feet at a cost of $95 million and emphasizes pedestrian access and connectivity to nearby areas such as Water Gardens, Texas A&M Fort Worth campus, surrounding hotels, and Deco 969 residential tower. Phase I is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Phase II, estimated at $606 million, remains in planning and design stages with construction expected to commence in 2026 and conclude by early 2030.

Since its inception in 1968, the Fort Worth Convention Center & Arena has hosted numerous major events including sports competitions, concerts, political rallies, conventions, and trade shows. Owned by the City of Fort Worth and significantly expanded in 2003, it offers nearly 400,000 square feet of meeting space.