FORT WORTH, Texas—Fort Worth Convention Center (Texas) has marked a major milestone in its expansion project, with its first topping-out ceremony.
This is the latest development in Phase I of the project. Elected officials, business leaders, and construction teams attended the topping-out ceremony as the highest structural steel beam was hoisted into place with the traditional fir tree riding on it.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker was among the officials and guests at the ceremony. “Today is an exciting milestone as we continue to build on the success of our local tourism economy, she 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.
“The expanded convention center will bring increased capacity to host conferences from across the nation, bolstering our already impressive convention and tourism industry. One of the benefits of this project is it will bring an enhanced focus on pedestrian access, walkability, and overall connectedness to all of downtown with the realignment of Commerce Street,” Parker added.
The project’s goal is to increase the center’s efficiency and capacity to accommodate major conventions and meetings.
The expansion project will involve two phases, and the facility will remain operational during both phases. Phase I includes construction of a new grand southeast entrance, state-of-the-art food and beverage facilities, demolition of the 1980s annex to double loading docks, and realignment of Commerce Street to create a site pad for a future convention hotel.
Tourism is a $3.3 billion industry for Fort Worth and one of its largest employers, with more than 30,000 jobs. The convention center expansion is part of the city’s larger economic development strategy to attract meetings from across the state and nation. “Expanding our convention center means expanding opportunity for local business and creating jobs,” said Bob Jameson, president & 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.”
