Mayor Karen Bass is joined by other city officials and downtown stakeholders for ground-breaking ceremonies for the Los Angeles Convention Center expansion project. The City Council approved the $3 billion project last month.
Courtesy photo
Wave Staff Report
LOS ANGELES — Mayor Karen Bass joined other elected officials and downtown stakeholders and labor leaders Oct. 1 to officially start the expansion and modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
“The expansion of the Convention Center is critical to our effort to revitalize the downtown area, create new economic opportunities and send a message to the world that L.A. is ready to compete and win on the global stage,” Bass said. “I want to thank the City Council for taking the bold action needed to initiate this project, and I also want to acknowledge our labor leaders for their partnership as well. I look forward to working with all of our partners to deliver this expansion on-time and in a fiscally responsible manner.”
Bass signed the final approval of the modernization and expansion of the Convention Center Sept. 24, marking a major milestone in her efforts to revitalize downtown Los Angeles. The fact that the ground-breaking ceremony was held only seven days later shows the urgency officials felt to get started on the project.
“Tourism is a massive economic driver and a modernized Convention Center sends a message to the world that with major global events on the horizon, Los Angeles is ready to compete on the world stage,” Bass said. “This project will help boost tourism, attract larger conventions and create good-paying jobs for Angelenos.”
The mayor also detailed new efforts to support the revitalization of downtown as the expansion and modernization efforts are underway. They include:
• Designated teams of Los Angeles police on foot patrols as well as trained bike officers in downtown neighborhoods to prevent crime and make people feel safe.
• Trained mental health teams being deployed in priority areas like the historic core neighborhood.
• Advancing plans to fast-track key permits for downtown developments.
• A coordinated effort to remove graffiti, clear trash, and enhance the cleanliness of our major streets and public spaces.
The expansion will connect the site’s West Hall with the South Hall, adding 190,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, and nearly 40,000 square feet of meeting room space, and 95,000 square feet for a multi-service room. The council also voted to authorize issuing $990 million in bonds to fund the project — with the debt service paid through 2058.
City officials expect the project to generate significant economic impact by adding nearly 9,000 union jobs and 1,600 apprenticeships, $1.8 billion in additional local business sales, $103 million in tax revenue for city services and 3.6 million visitors annually.
The Convention Center is slated to be the venue 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.
The city will finance $3.06 billion for the project, after adding the capitalized interest and bond issuance cost, according to City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo. Approximately $566 million will be set aside for “city-retained costs” to control overages, cover the impact of tariffs on construction materials, electrical service delivery and other potential risks.
The project will have an average annual general fund impact of about $89 million. In the early years the debt service will be higher.
The project will be built through a so-called “phased delivery” with completion slated for 2029. Work would be paused during the 2028 Games. The facility must be “Olympic ready” by March 31, 2028, or the city could be on the hook for additional costs if competitions need to be relocated.
