The L.A Convention Center and the JW Marriott hotel might be undergoing an expansion, growing the exhibition space as well as nearby parking and hotel rooms, to make the Center competitive with some of the biggest convention spaces in the U.S.
As reported by the L.A. Times, the proposal comes from the Anschutz Entertainment Group, and requests tax incentives from the city.
The L.A Convention Center hasn’t been expanded since 1997 and since then, other cities, like Anaheim and San Diego, have upgraded their facilities. Tourism officials have said that L.A has lost nearly $1 billion in potential convention bookings.
What would this expansion mean for tourism in Downtown L.A.? And if you’re local to the community, what do you think about the potential development?
Guests:
Hugo Martin, staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, covering the travel industry; he co-wrote the story “AEG proposes $1.2-billion expansion of L.A. Convention Center and JW Marriott hotel”
Jessica Lall, president and Chief Executive Officer for the Central City Association of Los Angeles (CCA), an advocacy group that aims to increase investment into Downtown Los Angeles
Susan Hunter, community organizer for the Coalition to Preserve Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization advocating for government transparency and thoughtful planning in the city of Los Angeles