Houston's convention center expansion is on the rise, with over $1 billion in funding secured for Phase I of renovations. The new George R. Brown Convention Center will be an even bigger boon for Houston's visitor economy once completed, according to city tourism leaders. The expansion will add a new 700,000-square-foot facility to the existing 1.8 million-sqm building, including two new exhibit halls, an atrium hall, a large meeting space, and a new 60,000 sq.A new 60k-a-foot ballroom will be the largest in Texas when it opens. The City Council approved $1.38 billion in bonds in February to complete the first phase of the project. The project will be paid back using revenue generated by Houston's hotel taxes, meaning visitors will pay the bill.