In an 11-2 vote, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $2.62 billion expansion for the Convention Center with the aim of bolstering downtown and preparing the facility for the 2028 Olympics with the move coming despite concerns of rising costs and potential risk that could impact city services for the next 30 years.

The expansion is expected to connect the site’s West Hall with the South Hall via Pico Boulevard, adding 190,000 square feet of additional exhibit hall space, and nearly 40,000 square feet of meeting room space, as well as 95,000 square feet for a multi-service room. In a similar vote, the City Council authorized staff to issue $990 million in bonds to fund the project — with the debt service paid through 2058.

“Our city has faced a series of difficult decisions and circums

See Full Page