The Los Angeles Convention Center is about to get a $2.6-billion expansion and overhaul, despite concerns from city residents about potential budgeting issues.
The Los Angeles City Council approved the vote 11-2 this week, according to the L.A. Times. The expansion is expected to be completed ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics and adding 325,000 square feet to the center, connecting its South Hall to its West Hall.
The Convention Center is expected to host judo and wrestling competitions, among others, so timing is critical: construction has to start now, and there can’t be any major delays.
If there are delays, the city could face paying penalties to the Olympic organization for unpreparedness.
Policy experts and others are concerned that the center’s expansion could cost $100 million a year from the city’s fund, taking away critical funds from essential services like the fire and police departments. The city’s budgeting crisis left them cutting 1,600 municipal jobs earlier this year and slowing police hires.
Still, Mayor Karen Bass and the council have chosen to go ahead with the project.
Councilmember Traci Park, who heads the committee on tourism and trade, said, “This project will be transformative for downtown, and I truly believe the catalyst for future investment and redevelopment,” she said, though she voiced serious concerns with the project. “We need to bring our city back to life, and with world events looming, we don’t have time to wait.”
The project will create an estimated 13,000 construction jobs, plus 2,150 permanent jobs once completed. Trades unions are prioritizing the project.
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