What's Happening in Irving, TX…

Following a meeting late last month, a long-deferred dream is about to come true in Irving for a Texan businessman who has harbored ambitions of giving the city a new entertainment offering

Businessman Billy Bob Barnett, creator of the Fort Worth restaurant that bears his name, envisioned a complex that would include a convention center and a hotel, as well as an entertainment center. The Irving Convention Center of Barnett's vision was to comprise five levels that would host shops, nightclubs, and 14 original restaurants. According to Barnett’s vision, the center would be a destination in itself for people who hoped to dine, shop, and enjoy music and other entertainment all in one place

Plans have been in the works for seven years, and the convention center itself was finished in January, 2011, leaving the entertainment center and hotel undone. Finally, the Irving City Council approved construction on the remaining parts of the project—the hotel, entertainment center, and an office building – last month. The anticipated cost of construction is $84m, with ARK Group taking on the job. The new construction will be located in the Las Colinas section of the city.

City officials could work with brochure printers to create a mailer for Irving residents, listing the stores, restaurants and entertainment opportunities the new complex offers, and inviting them to explore the center when it opens.