Austin Convention Center Development RFQ

Leads

Feb 14

The Austin Convention Center team, in collaboration with Hyatt Brown, experts in Public-Private Partnership (P3) Development who carried out the market analysis, presented a strategic direction for a development project to the City Council.

The plan is to release a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to secure a developer for a potential hotel or multifamily development opportunity on the site, incorporating ground-floor activations. This approach aligns with community interests and broader redevelopment goals, including district activation, green space provision, sustainability, and support for local retailers, restaurants, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and cultural arts. The RFQ will also consider the integration of workforce housing in the multifamily configuration, with the aim to finalize and release the RFQ by early March.

They are partnering with the Austin Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) to issue the RFQ by early March 2024.

Hyatt Brown outlined the project schedule and process, emphasizing a progressive approach that necessitates collaboration between the convention center and commercial development's architects (LMN/Page Sutherland). Selection of a development partner will be based on qualifications, experience, and a compelling conceptual and financial strategy rather than a specific design or value. The plan includes ongoing community engagement, with a goal to begin construction concurrently with the convention center development to avoid operational disruptions. The selection process will culminate in July 2024 when a recommendation for the development team will be presented to the council for approval.

The project underscores a critical alignment between the potential commercial development and the convention center's design and construction, ensuring a harmonized development process. Final steps involve finalizing the RFQ, followed by a staff recommendation for a developer, negotiation of a development agreement, and council approval to proceed in alignment with the convention center redevelopment project.