Opponents of the $1.6 billion Austin Convention Center redevelopment have encountered a setback after the city clerk determined their petition did not meet the required number of valid signatures to force a public vote on the project.
The decision removes a significant procedural obstacle for the redevelopment, which began in April and has already progressed through demolition and preconstruction phases, according to the Austin Business Journal.
Austin United PAC submitted over 20,000 signatures last month with the goal of delaying or stopping the project. However, an independent review commissioned by the city found that the petition fell short of the necessary threshold for valid signatures, City Clerk Erika Brady said.
The PAC’s proposal would have halted work on the convention center for up to seven years unless voters approved it and would have redirected tourism revenue toward cultural and outdoor programs instead of conventions.
Bill Bunch, an activist leading Austin United PAC and head of Save Our Springs Alliance, stated that his group disputes the city’s determination and is reviewing how signatures were validated. He indicated that while they hope to resolve matters “amicably,” legal action remains an option if needed. The PAC contends that when including financing costs, the true price tag for redevelopment is $5.6 billion—$4 billion more than what city officials estimate.
City representatives maintain that their $1.6 billion figure is accurate and emphasize that funding comes entirely from hotel occupancy taxes and convention center revenue rather than property taxes.
Officials argue that expanding the convention center is essential for supporting Austin’s tourism industry and cultural activities. The previous facility has been demolished, with construction underway on a new 620,000-square-foot center expected to be completed in 2029. The updated venue will increase rentable space by 70 percent and is projected to generate $750 million annually in economic impact—a roughly 60 percent rise compared to its predecessor—with event bookings already taking place.
City Manager T.C. Broadnax noted that space limitations at the former center resulted in turning away nearly half of potential events, leading to lost tax revenue and reduced support for arts and live music programs funded by hotel taxes.
Tourism advocates share these concerns. Visit Austin CEO Tom Noonan warned that delays could negatively affect approximately 148,000 local hospitality workers and slow growth in hotel tax revenues used to sustain cultural initiatives.
