City officials in Baytown, Texas, are moving forward with a public-private partnership (P3) initiative to build a new convention center and renovate a local library. The project, which is estimated to cost $75 million, is slated for construction in early 2027.
The ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center (EMBEC) will create a thriving cultural hub for the community, bringing together sports, recreation and entertainment to a single facility. A major component featured in the plan is to incorporate the existing Sterling Municipal Library into the facility. The city will renovate the library as part of the integration process and build an entry plaza.
The site’s layout covers 476,000 square feet of buildable area, flanked by 419,000 square feet of park and grassland and an additional 110,000 square feet of new parking. The project vision calls for a significant emphasis on sports, featuring a large main gymnasium with indoor courts for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, mat sports and multi-use events.
Plans include several support and service spaces, including locker rooms, team rooms and training rooms. The project will also incorporate tournament offices, a referee lounge a nursing room, sensory rooms and first aid spaces into the design. Other essential areas will include administration, a security office, laundry, storage and mechanical and electrical utility rooms.
The city will build an event center lobby, gathering spaces and concession areas. In addition, the project will feature a check-in and reception area, two corresponding offices and restrooms. Additional amenities will include an event center entry plaza and drop off space.
If the budget has space available, the city may also pursue certain stretch goals to further expand the site’s footprint. These may include building a championship gym, more courts, additional seating, meeting rooms, a kitchen and lease or flex space.
Other stretch features would feature a conference room, an indoor playground, a community room and a track. The city would also incorporate a production office, dressing rooms and a marshalling area into the facility’s layout.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels
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