The Austin City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a measure to encourage local hiring for work at the Austin Convention Center when the event venue reopens in 2029.
The resolution also directs City Manager T.C. Broadnax to explore hiring apprenticeship workers for skilled work such as rigging, technical production, decorating and carpentry.
The city demolished the old convention center and began construction last April on a new $1.6 billion venue at the same site. It is set to open in early 2029.
Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, who authored the resolution, said some workers saw a 70% reduction in work after the old convention center closed. The technical workforce that supported event production was hit especially hard, she added.
“We have an incredible opportunity to make sure we’re creating new opportunities for local quality jobs that prioritize our local workers,” she said. “This item does just that.”
Jeff Miller, president of the union that represents entertainment employees, said in a statement that the union’s workforce experienced a significant drop in wages after the convention center closed.
He said the union supported the resolution “to ensure that when the building eventually reopens, our workforce can reclaim the same volume of work we left behind, and potentially make it better.”