Hopes of competing the long-planned expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center before the 2028 Olympics were dealt a blow earlier this year, when the firestorm that consumed much of Pacific Palisades put the Downtown mega-project on the back burner. But after a few months of delay, city officials are now looking once again to chart a path forward.

A  joint report from the city's City Administrative Officer and Chief Legislative Analyst recommends that the City Council, if it chooses to move forward with a build alternative for the project in the near term, should opt for a phased delivery of the Convention Center expansion. That would mean that construction could commence in September of this year, then pause at the end of May 2028 to allow the Convention Center to be used as a venue for the Olympic games between June and September. Following the close of the games, construction would resume with the aim of completing work by March 2029.

View of atrium from ground level looking southwest toward Pico BoulevardPopulous

The other near-term option on the table, expediting construction to complete the full project in advance of the Olympics, cannot be completed by the required deadline, according to the report. Likewise, delaying the project until after the Olympics or cancelling it altogether would not meet stated objectives for the Convention Center. 

Nonetheless, risks remain for the phased option as well. Given that the Convention Center is to serve as an events venue, all work involving emergency exits, fire life safety systems, and ventilation systems would need to be completed prior to the pause in construction. However, some city departments - including the Department of Water and Power - have indicated that long lead times for ordering equipment to power the expansion could result in delays that impact readiness for the games.

Exterior terrace looking northPopulous

The cost of the project also exceeds the roughly $1.4 billion price tag which the city had sought to remain within, no matter what build option is pursued. Both the expedited delivery and phased constructions alternative now have estimated costs in excess of $2.2 billion.

Any build option for the expansion will be delivered in partnership with AEG and Plenary Group, the two private sector companies that have been attached to the effort for several years. The approved plans calls for the addition of 190,000 square feet of new exhibit hall space, 55,000 square feet of meeting room space, and 95,000 square feet of multi-purpose space. At the exterior, the existing Gilbert Lindsay Plaza at Pico Boulevard and Figueroa Street would be renovated with new greenery and open space amenities.

Rendering of a redesigned Gilbert Lindsay Plaza at Pico and FigueroaOlin

Completion of the expansion would increase the overall footprint of the Convention Center to more than 1 million square feet, allowing the facility to better compete for large events with rival facilities in Anaheim and San Francisco. 

Separate from the Convention Center expansion, AEG is also planning to add a 37-story, 861-room hotel tower to the neighboring J.W. Marriott complex. However, work on that project has been delayed until economic conditions improve.

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