Dallas Awards $17 Million Contracts for Convention Center Projects to Black Women-Led Firms

Dallas City Council approves contracts worth $17 million for downtown convention center-related projects, highlighting historic leadership by Black women-led firms. Learn more about the redevelopment plans.

In a historic move, the Dallas City Council has approved contracts totaling $17.5 million for the renovation and reconstruction of key downtown convention center facilities. Led by two Black women-led firms, the projects signify a significant step in the city’s commitment to inclusive redevelopment.

The contracts, approved on Wednesday, mark progress in the extensive redevelopment plans for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and its surrounding area. McKissack & McKissack, a national architecture, engineering, and construction management firm, secured a nearly $7.7 million contract for the renovation of the Dallas Memorial Auditorium. Additionally, Dikita Enterprises, a Dallas-based engineering consulting firm, was awarded a $9.2 million contract for The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) renovation.

The significance of these contracts lies not only in the scope of the projects but also in the leadership of Black women at the helm. Council members and city staff emphasized the historic nature of this decision, highlighting Dallas’s commitment to inclusivity and support for businesses owned by women and people of color.

Speakers, including Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and representatives from local chambers of commerce, voiced support for the contracts, underscoring the importance of diversity in city projects. Deryl McKissack, president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, shared her personal connection to Dallas and her family’s legacy in the industry, emphasizing the fulfillment of the American dream.

With these contracts in place, Dallas moves forward with its downtown redevelopment project, guided by a commitment to diversity and inclusivity in its partnerships and initiatives.