The Fort Worth Convention Center (formerly known as the Tarrant County Convention Center) is a convention center and indoor arena located in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The complex opened on September 30, 1968, and was expanded in 1983, 2002 and 2003.[2][3]
Background
Interior of arena
The complex was proposed by county officials in 1961 as a competitor to the Dallas Convention Center and approved in 1967. Over 14 city blocks (previously known as "Hell's Half Acre") were demolished to make way for the new facility that opened in 1968. The building is noted for the indoor arena, resembling a flying saucer. In 1997 the City of Fort Worth purchased the facilities and properties, changing the complex's name to the Fort Worth Convention Center. In 2000 the JFK Theatre was demolished to make way for the Water Garden Events Plaza. In 2014 the city proposed to demolish the aging arena for an additional meeting space.[4]
In January 2020, plans to demolish the Convention Center's arena were confirmed by the Fort Worth City Council. In addition to the arena's demolition, the plans also include straightening Commerce Street, building a 1,000 seat hotel and adding over 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, with groundbreaking intended for 2022 or 2023.[5]
Notable events
Ike & Tina Turner performed at the Tarrant County Convention Center Arena on March 11, 1972.[6]
Elvis Presley performed there on June 18, 1972. He returned for two dates on June 15 and 16, 1974, doing an afternoon and evening show on each day at the arena. He returned again on June 3 and July 3, 1976.[7]
Bob Dylan's highly successful 1974 "comeback tour" featuring The Band played the facility on January 25, 1974. Dylan played two more shows there on May 16, 1976, and November 24, 1978.[9]
On November 3, 1976, and again on July 7 and 8, 1977, Eagles performed three sold-out shows as part of their 1976-1978 Hotel California Tour at the arena.[11]
On May 1, 1977, Pink Floyd played a show on the In the Flesh Tour at the arena which has surfaced on bootleg over the years.[12]
February 27, 1977 was selected as the first date of the Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977 at the arena, but that tour was delayed in starting. The rescheduled Fort Worth date was May 22, 1977.[13]
On November 23 and 24, 1987, U2 performed two sold-out shows as part of their Joshua Tree tour. Parts of the second show were filmed and appeared in the feature film "Rattle and Hum", a documentary of the tour. The song "When Love Comes to Town" featuring B.B. King was prominent in the film.[15][16][17]
