On-Again, Off-Again LA Convention Center Expansion is Now On-Again, But with Challenges
“Proceed immediately on the LA Convention Center Expansion so that it may be finished in time to act as a center for the 2028 Olympics” was the recommendation of LA officials last week. After kicking the football around for several years and with the finalization of the City’s budget, the Council has deemed the planning and construction should proceed immediately if the expansion can be completed in time for the 2028 Olympics and if the final cost of the project can come in at or below the $1.2 billion projection.
The Los Angeles Times reports that to complete this planning phase the city has proposed a partnership with Anschutz Entertainment Group, which runs the convention center, and development firm, Plenary Group, which will be tasked with defining the approved remodeling plan and warranting that the reconstruction can be finished not later than March 2028 while meeting the total cost target. A deadline of mid- February 2025 has been established as the go/no-go drop dead date on these assurances in order to allow construction to begin.
Everyone involved with the recommendation admits that the time and money goals presented are extremely daunting. Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon Tso warned council members that it will be challenging to get the project done before the Olympics, calling the schedule “very fast-paced.”
The plan - if it becomes reality - will connect the existing two buildings and add 190,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, 55,000 square feet of additional meeting room space and 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space resulting in over 1,000,000 square feet in the facility which is slatted as the venue for several Olympic competitions. As a bonus, the new facility additions will result in the Los Angeles Convention Center Complex becoming one of the largest and most competitive convention facilities in the U.S. which will undoubtedly attract billions of dollars to the city – some of which will, in turn, undoubtedly filter to the South Park neighborhood!
By John Nilsson