LA Convention Center Set for $1 Billion Makeover Ahead of 2028 Olympics

The Los Angeles City Council is taking steps to remodel the downtown Convention Center before the 2028 Olympics. This ambitious project, estimated to cost $1 billion, faces a tight deadline but has gained initial support.

Committee Endorsement and Funding

The council’s Trade, Travel and Tourism Committee has approved up to $54.4 million for preconstruction activities on the 53-year-old Convention Center. This proposal now awaits a vote by the full City Council.

Historical Context and Support

Opened in 1971, the Convention Center has seen various modernization plans over the past decade, none of which have progressed. The recent meeting saw significant support from business and labor leaders, who emphasized the project's potential to boost the economy, generate jobs, and rejuvenate downtown Los Angeles.

Public-Private Partnership

The proposed expansion would be funded by the city but executed through a public-private partnership. The Anschutz Entertainment Group, which manages the Convention Center, and the Plenary Group, a development firm, are slated to handle the construction.