Expansion of L.A. Convention Center faces obstacles: Council committee supports repairs over expansion.
The Los Angeles Convention Center expansion plan, originally estimated to cost $2.2 billion, has seen an increase to $2.7 billion, sparking opposition and financial concerns among city officials. The costly project, which is set to go before the full City Council for a vote on Friday, has become a point of contention for many, with some advocating for repairs instead of expansion due to the perceived financial risks.
The expansion plan, if approved, would connect the South Hall and the West Hall of the Convention Center, adding 325,000 square feet to the facility, spanning both sides of Pico Boulevard. The business community, labor leaders, and community organizations view the expansion as a priority, as it would allow the city to attract larger national conventions, exhibitions, and meetings.
However, Sharon Tso, the Chief Legislative Analyst, fears that the project's first phase might not be completed in time for the 2028 Olympic Games. Tso also warned that the ongoing cost of the project could make it difficult for the city to hire more firefighters, recruit more police officers, and pay for basic services like street repairs.
Nella McOsker, president and chief executive of the Central City Assn., emphasized that the city has a history of delaying decisions on upgrading the Convention Center. McOsker argued that the city took on a similar financial burden 30 years ago when it financed the construction of the Convention Center's South Hall.
In a bid to address these concerns, Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky proposed a less expensive alternative plan. Yaroslavsky is concerned about the potential for the Convention Center expansion to pull resources away from the Department of Water and Power, as expressed by Dave Hanson, senior assistant general manager for the DWP's power system.
The City Council committee voted 3-2 to recommend repairs instead of the expansion. Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield and Eunisses Hernandez voted in favor of Yaroslavsky's plan, while Tim McOsker and Heather Hutt voted against it.
The ongoing issues of homelessness and drug addiction in certain portions of downtown L.A. have also been raised as a potential concern. Cassy Horton, co-founder of the DTLA Residents Assn., stated that the expansion is the solution for downtown recovery.
The expansion, if approved, is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and spark new business activity in downtown L.A. The council has already pushed for cost-cutting measures, including the removal of a plaza planned on Figueroa Street, and hopes to generate new revenue by installing digital billboards.
Yaroslavsky's alternative proposal calls for the city to regroup in four months on strategies for expanding the Los Angeles Convention Center and maximizing its economic impacts. The search results do not contain information about the person who proposed a less extensive renovation of the Los Angeles Convention Center or was involved in the approval of that proposal.
Hutt expressed concern about the last-minute changes and the lack of public comment on them. The repair proposal and the expansion plan will now go before the full City Council for a vote on Friday, with the future of the Los Angeles Convention Center expansion hanging in the balance.
Read also:
- Trade Disputes Escalate: Trump Imposes Tariffs, India Retaliates; threatened boycott ranges from McDonald's, Coca-Cola to iPhones
- Li Auto faces scrutiny after crash test involving i8 model and a truck manufacturer sparks controversy
- Celebrated Title: Cheesemakers Blessed Upon
- Construction and renovation projects in Cham county granted €24.8 million focus on energy efficiency
