LA Convention Center, Remodel & Expansion Quietly Underway
Infrastructure work has begun on the $2.8 billion remodel and expansion to the Los Angeles Convention Center as can be seen by looking behind the Convention Center off LA Live Way. LA Water and Power has been onsight digging to lay new lines and pipes; fencing has been erected on both sides of the Convention Center on Pico between Figueroa and LA Live Way; the parking lot at Pico and LA Live was demolished; and staging has been set up in the same area.
Announced in mid November, Pico Blvd between South Figueroa and LA Live Way will be fully closed 24/7 from December 4, 2025, through March 31, 2028, due to the massive effort to substantially complete the remodel in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Start planning new routes to access the 110 or for travel to the west side.
With much fanfare Mayor Karen Bass’s office in late September approved and signed into law the plans and budget for the project and followed up quickly with a formal groundbreaking on October 1. “The expansion of the LA Convention Center is critical to our effort to revitalize the Downtown area, create new economic opportunities and send a message to the world that LA is ready to compete and win on the global stage,” said Mayor Bass. “I want to thank the City Council for taking the bold action needed to initiate this project, and I also want to acknowledge our labor leaders for their partnership as well. I look forward to working with all our partners to deliver this expansion on-time and in a fiscally responsible manner.”
The current facility has found itself unable to attract super large convention venues that have been finding other, smaller cities with larger infrastructure to hold their events. The improved Convention Center is projected to provide billions in additional revenue to the city that will be felt throughout LA’s economy and is seen as a catalyst for future investment and redevelopment in downtown Los Angeles.
Populus is leading design on the project (www.populous.com) while its developer is Plenary Americas, and the general contractor is a joint venture of PCL Construction and Webcor Construction.The project will connect the South and West halls with 190,000 square feet of new space to create one large exhibit hall where two separate halls bisected by Pico Blvd have existed for years.
Project Scope
· Connect the South and West halls with 290,000 square feet of new space to create one large exhibit hall.
· Add 39,000 square feet of new meeting room space.
· Add 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space.
· Increase the total number of parking spaces by 1,112.
· The total cost is projected to be around $2.6 billion, with borrowing cost included, the total is estimated at $5.9 billion.
SPNA predicts that this improved convention facility will greatly benefit South Park and will result in a tremendous expansion in retail and social opportunities and activities in the “Social District.” We will report on the progress of this terrific project monthly!
By John Nilsson