A Los Angeles City Council committee is expected to decide Tuesday on whether to recommend moving forward with plans to expand the Convention Center — and whether to recommend issuing bonds to pay for the project.
The five-member Budget and Finance Committee is scheduled to hear from top city analysts about the project, some of whom have raised concerns about its rising cost and risky construction timeline.
The expansion project originally consisted of 190,000 square feet of additional exhibit hall space, 55,000 square feet of new meeting room space, and at least 95,000 of multi-purpose space, as well as the renovation of Gilbert Lindsay Plaza. It also sought 850 meeting rooms for an expected expansion of the JW Marriott.
In June, the City Council approved a project that would be at least 15,000 square feet smaller, and removed the renovation of Gilbert Lindsay Plaza.
The reduced project scope was agreed upon as a way to reduce the price. Despite these efforts, city officials recently reported the project cost increased by $483 million, reaching $2.7 billion.
The city is looking to modernize the Convention Center for the 2028 Summer Olympics, as well as a way to revitalize the downtown area.
The Convention Center is set to be the site for fencing, taekwondo, judo, wrestling and table tennis for the 2028 Olympics and wheelchair fencing, taekwondo, judo, boccia and table tennis for the 2028 Paralympics.
Construction for the project would be conducted in a so-called phase delivery, with completion slated for 2029. Work would be paused during the Olympics and Paralympics.
According to a joint report from the City Administrative Officer and Chief Legislative Analyst, “serious risk exists with the construction timeline,” warning of potential delays during construction, among other challenges.
“Missing the Olympic readiness deadline could result in serious financial ramifications for the city, including losing the Olympic and Paralympic events currently planned to be held at the Convention Center and adjacent facilities in 2028,” the report reads.