Workers set to fully enclose George R. Brown Convention Center

HOUSTON, Texas (February 17, 2003) - Construction at the George R. Brown Convention Center will move into a new phase in coming weeks as workers begin to enclose the additions at each end of the building. Crews are expected to install the final pieces of structural steel at the north end of the site next week before shifting their focus to the installation of the building's familiar white exterior panels.

City officials will mark the completion of the steel work on February 27 by signing one of the final beams before it is lifted into place. Expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center, which is expected to be complete in November, will nearly double the size of Houston's downtown landmark, extending it the length of a football field in each direction.

"We are pleased that the expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center has proceeded smoothly and safely," GRBCC director Dawn Ullrich said. "Convention Center expansion and construction of the hotel are tandem projects that will top out within one week of each other. I am confident that we will complete both jobs in similar unison this fall."

When work is complete, the George R. Brown Convention Center will offer more than 1 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space. Three exhibit halls, for a total of seven, and 62 meeting rooms, for a total of 105, will be added. It will be the largest meeting facility in the City.

The added convention space and new hotel will allow Houston to better compete for the world's largest and most lucrative conventions and trade shows, Ullrich said.

Contact:

Pete Radowick
713-853-8077
peter.radowick@cityofhouston.net