Austin Convention Center Expansion Battle Heads to Texas Supreme Court

Local PAC appeals judge's ruling allowing $1.6B project to move forward

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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After losing a legal challenge at the trial court level, a local political action committee in Austin has appealed to the Texas Supreme Court in an effort to halt the city's $1.6 billion convention center expansion project. The group, Austin United PAC, sued the city after the city clerk invalidated its petition for a charter amendment that would have put the project to a public vote, citing insufficient signatures from eligible Austin voters.

Why it matters

The ongoing legal battle over the convention center expansion highlights the political tensions in Austin around major development projects, with community groups pushing for more public input and transparency. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of the city's tourism and hospitality industry, which has been a key economic driver.

The details

In its appeal to the Texas Supreme Court, Austin United PAC argued that the city clerk 'disenfranchised Austin voters' by improperly disqualifying signatures from residents living in the city's extraterritorial and limited-purpose jurisdictions. The group is asking the state's highest civil court to compel the city clerk to certify the petitioned ordinance as valid and put it on the May 2026 ballot.

  • On February 10, 2026, a Travis County judge ruled in favor of the city of Austin, rejecting the PAC's legal challenge.
  • On February 11, 2026, the PAC filed an appeal with the Texas Supreme Court.
  • The deadline for Austin City Council to call a May 2026 election is February 14, 2026.

The players

Austin United PAC

A local political action committee that sued the city of Austin in an effort to halt the $1.6 billion convention center expansion project.

City of Austin

The defendant in the lawsuit, which is moving forward with the convention center expansion project despite the PAC's legal challenge.

Texas Supreme Court

The state's highest civil court, which will now consider the PAC's appeal of the lower court's ruling.

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What they’re saying

“While we respect the Court, we are surprised and strongly disagree with this outcome.”

— Austin United PAC (Press release)

What’s next

The Texas Supreme Court will now consider the PAC's appeal, with a decision potentially coming before the May 2026 election deadline.

The takeaway

This legal battle underscores the ongoing tensions in Austin over major development projects and the balance between community input and the city's economic priorities. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the future of the city's convention and tourism industry.