For more than a year, a team from The University of Texas Center for Sustainable Development has been in the process of examining the feasibility of an expansion for the Austin Convention Center. Austin City Council commissioned the study in December 2017, and now the team is ready to present its findings to the city.

The researchers will make a public presentation to City Council at 9 a.m. on April 2 at the Austin Central Library at 710 W. Cesar Chavez St.

According to a March 29 press release from UT, the major themes that emerged from the study were related to the local economy and the potential changes to the nearby area.

The leisure and hospitality industry's share of the overall local economy has jumped from 11 percent in 2000 to 15 percent today, according to the release, and "convention centers make important contributions to this sector."

The release also notes any projects related to the Convention Center "need to contribute to multiple civic goals and support residents and visitors alike," and consideration must be given to the immediate area around the Convention Center, the larger portion of downtown affected, and "connectivity with other parts of the city."