Traveling Downtown

Exciting changes are coming for the Convention Center, and to make sure that the redevelopment is complete by December 2028 and can reopen in time for the spring festival season in 2029, the project team studied the scope and schedule to identify risks and corresponding mitigation plans. The two risks are the demolition and excavation scope, and inclement weather.

To mitigate these risks and maintain the project schedule, the team engaged directly with key stakeholders—including nearby hotels, businesses, and residents—to present proposed noise mitigation efforts, site ingress and egress plans, and construction travel paths. Following these discussions, an agreement was reached to extend working hours:

• Base construction hours extended to 9 p.m., 7 days a week
• Work may continue until 10:30 p.m. with advance notice
• Weekend construction will begin no earlier than 8 a.m.

This collaborative agreement is critical to maintaining momentum while minimizing disruption to the surrounding community. Additional noise mitigation efforts include:

• White noise backup alarms on all trucks and equipment instead of beeping sounds
• Optimized traffic flow to minimize truck backup and associated noise, primarily routing from south to north
• Alternate truck routes during early morning and evening hours to avoid proximity to hotels and residences
• Tall sound barrier walls (where feasible) at truck-loading areas to dampen noise
• Cushioned truck beds with a layer of dirt to reduce impact noise during rock dumping

To further minimize disruption, significant noise-generating activities, such as the breaking and ripping of bedrock, will occur during standard daytime hours. This will allow early morning and late evening work periods to focus primarily on truck loading, reducing overall noise impact during extended hours.