Proposed LA Convention Center Expansion Takes Another Step Forward

Following a successful vote for the LA Convention Center expansion, Ysabel Jurado celebrates with SPNA, DTLA RA, and DLANC.

A packed Council Chamber watched the LA City Council vote in favor of a phased plan for the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) expansion project estimated at $2.2 billion with completion by 2029, with a pause during the Olympics. SPNA (South Park Neighborhood Association), DTLA RA (DTLA Residents Association), and South Park BID (Business Improvement District) spoke on behalf of the project at the Economic Development and Jobs Committee meeting on April 8 and again at the LA City Council meeting on April 9.

A final vote is expected in July when LA City finalizes an agreement with AEG and Plenary Group as a joint venture overseeing the expansion construction.

CD 14 Councilmember Ysabel Jurado spoke passionately at the City Council meeting about the need to grow our city into a vibrant and active place and to grow our work force with projects that benefit the city. Jurado said that 1% of the land in all of LA is in downtown, but 25% of the revenue comes from downtown. In other words, downtown generates money for the rest of LA. The expansion project brings more growth and revenue for all.

Doane Liu, executive director of LA’s tourism department, said he expects revenues to double following the renovation.

Currently, the LA Convention Center ranks 21st in the nation of top-ranked convention centers in the US. Orange County is #2, and San Diego and Anaheim both rank higher than LA. Las Vegas is #1 and has three convention centers. LA is losing business to our neighbors even though LA is the second largest city in the US, and third largest city in North America (behind Mexico City and New York City).

Marty Goldberg, SPNA President, told the committee that “The convention center expansion hopefully gives confidence to a developer to buy and complete Oceanwide Towers. We need to give existing businesses hope as well as attract new businesses to our community.”

Debra Shrout, SPNA Vice President, explained how convention business and traffic spills into South Park helping South Park businesses to survive and bringing more life to the streets. She added that what is good for South Park is good for downtown LA and the metropolitan area.

The LA Convention expansion project would include an additional 190,000 square feet of new exhibit hall space, 55,000 square feet of meeting room space, and 95,000 square feet of multi-purpose space. Also, existing Gilbert Lindsay Plaza at Pico Boulevard and Figueroa Street would be renovated with new greenery and open space amenities.

The LA Convention Center was built in 1971 as a rectangular building on Figueroa between 11thStreet and Pico. The Convention Center was expanded in 1981 (North Hall), 1993 (South Hall), and Kentia Hall was added in 1997. North Hall was demolished in 1998 to make room for the Staples Center. L.A. Live opened in 2010, adding to the entertainment district comprised of the Convention Center, the Staples Center, and L.A. Live.

The idea of growing and competing for convention center business and tourism dollars is moving forward in LA.

By Debra Shrout