LA Council Committee Delays $2.7B Convention Center Expansion

The Los Angeles City Council Budget and Finance Committee voted 3-2 to recommend shelving the $2.7 billion expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center until after the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, opting instead for a smaller modernization plan. Concerns driving this decision include significant financial risks, a tight and uncertain construction timeline, and the potential for the project to divert funds from essential city services. The original expansion would have added over 325,000 square feet, including exhibit and meeting spaces, but escalating costs and incomplete project design raised worries about delays and budget overruns. The alternative proposal focuses on deferred maintenance and upgrades such as digital signage, ADA improvements, and fire safety enhancements, with an emphasis on readiness for the 2028 Games without increasing the facility's size. City officials stressed the importance of meeting Olympic deadlines to avoid losing scheduled events, while also acknowledging the economic benefits of construction jobs and downtown revitalization. The full City Council is set to decide on both proposals soon, as the debate continues over balancing modernization needs with fiscal prudence.