Dallas City Council members approved $143,231,154 in taxpayer spending on Wednesday, including more than $16 million in professional service contracts toward the implementation of two components of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas master plan.

McKissack & McKissack of Washington, D.C., was selected to oversee Component 3 of the redevelopment project for $7,682,340. Dallas-based Dikita was chosen to implement Component 4 at a cost of $9,252,031.

After more than 40 people — the majority of them representing the companies or contractors or subcontractors for the companies — spoke during the open-mic period, council members unanimously approved the contracts, touting the firms’ experience in the construction industry and praising their minority owners. Their selections fall in line with the City’s “Racial Equity” Plan, council members said.

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In November 2022, Dallas residents approved Proposition A, which allowed the City to raise its hotel occupancy tax rate from 13% to 15% and allocate the money toward replacing the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD), The Dallas Express reported.

Construction is scheduled to begin in June, resulting in $6 billion in development spending, supporting as many as 50,000 jobs and ultimately generating billions in taxes.

“The KBHCCD expansion is a catalyst for unprecedented economic growth in downtown and South Dallas,” the master plan website shows. “With more than 40 major conventions already confirmed, the expansion has generated an estimated $1 billion in economic impact from booked business starting in Q1 2029.”

Other expenditures approved on Wednesday include:

  • $52,926,620 in supplemental agreement to J.E. Dunn Russell for construction services at the Cotton Bowl.
  • $14,640,308 for construction services contract with Rogers-O’Brien Construction Company for the Dallas Zoo South garage.
  • $11,564,977 for construction services contract with XIT Paving & Construction.
  • $8,439,540 for a three-year service price agreement for sprinkler system and extinguisher maintenance and repairs with Safety Control LLC and Total Fire & Safety.
  • $7,620,009 for an architectural services contract with Overland Partners for the Cotton Bowl renovation.
  • $5,507,000 in supplemental agreement for a professional services contract with Black and Veatch Corporation.
  • $4,304,984 for five-year agreements with Quadient Finance USA for metered postage, lease of postage equipment and supplies.
  • $2,642,465 for construction services contract with HQS Construction.
  • $2,500,000 to partially settle claim by Vicki Timpa and Cheryll Timpa.
  • $1,887,492 to Dallas Area Rapid Transit for operation and maintenance costs for the Dallas streetcar system from Union Station to Bishop Arts District.
  • $1,778,000 in tax increment financing for UCR Development Services for Lancaster-Corning retail development project on South Lancaster Road.
  • $1,727,036 for five-year contract for armored car services with Garda CL Southwest.
  • $1,707,247 for three-year cooperative purchasing agreement with The Voice Society for marketing services for the aviation department.
  • $1,306,646 for benefits consulting and medical/pharmacy benefit plan auditing services, as well as outstanding invoices for Holmes, Murphy and Associates LLC.
  • $1,299,700 for maintenance and support from Convergint Technologies for the aviation department.
  • $1,250,000 for Trust for Public Land to develop five parcels for neighborhood parks.
  • $1,138,860 for a three-year service price agreement for citywide window-washing services with 7916 Holdings.
  • $932,500 for five-year agreement with ADB Safegate Americas LLC for airfield lighting fixtures, parts, and accessories.
  • $918,771 to increase the service contract with CAREATC for on-site and off-site medical clinics.
  • $618,813 for three-year service price agreement for self-oriented breathing apparatus equipment, service, and testing with Specialized Response Solutions.
  • $250,316 for engineering services contract with Alliance Geotechnical Group for the Cotton Bowl renovation.
  • $243,003 for construction services contract extension with Estrada Concrete Company.
  • $230,000 for Small Business Microgrants Program.
  • $190,500 for Family Medical Leave Act services with FMLA Source Inc.
  • $184,800 for three-year service price agreement for parts and maintenance for equipment at Love Field with Waterblasting LLC.
  • $166,000 for five-year service price agreement for electrical pole bracing with Primoris T&D Services.
  • $161,197 for five-year cooperative purchasing agreement with SHI Government Solutions for an electronic information notification system.
  • $150,000 for elections agreement with Dallas County and jurisdictions in Dallas County.
  • $91,000 to settle claims by Ignacio Cuevas and Rita Cuevas.
  • $40,000 to settle lawsuit Timothy Shearer v. Gregory Ceraso, Christopher Wagner, and Ashley Rios.
  • $28,000 for elections agreement with Collin County and jurisdictions in Collin County.
  • $17,000 for elections agreement with Denton County and jurisdictions in Denton County.