City committee backs continuing work on Convention Center expansion; staff to return with options in March

The Los Angeles City Council Tourism Committee voted to approve a recommendation to continue work on options to modernize and potentially expand the Los Angeles Convention Center and to return to the committee with a fuller report in March.

The committee’s action follows more than an hour of public comment from labor leaders, business groups and neighborhood representatives urging the city to move forward because of potential jobs and regional competitiveness — while staff and some council members repeatedly cautioned that final cost figures are not yet ready and that completion before the 2028 Olympics is unlikely.

Supporters at the committee meeting described local hiring goals and economic benefits. Kathleen Rosson, president and CEO of Hollywood Partnership, told the committee in Spanish, "es esencial moverse con este proyecto. Ha sido todo retrasado por décadas." Representatives of multiple labor locals, including electricians and painters, said the expansion would create construction and long-term service jobs for Los Angeles residents.

City staff told the committee they would return with several short- and long-term options, including paths that prioritize modernization of existing facilities over full expansion. Staff and council members repeatedly flagged three constraints: uncertain final construction costs, staffing capacity inside city departments to manage a major construction program, and post-fire recovery demands on city resources. A member of the committee said clearly that starting and completing full construction before the 2028 Olympics is not a realistic option.

During the public comment period, speakers gave project scope figures and anticipated economic impacts as presented by proponents: an expansion that would add about 190,000 square feet (including roughly 55,000 square feet intended for mid-size halls and multiuse space), which proponents said could drive new event spending and long-term economic gains. Committee members and staff cautioned the meeting that the city had not finalized a total project cost; one councilmember noted previous construction-only estimates discussed internally around $1.4 billion and said that figure did not include city personnel or certain other costs.

Staff outlined a short timeline for follow-up: return in March with a report that compares options (short-term modernization, phased expansion, and city-led versus external delivery approaches), and outline trade-offs for timing, staffing needs and fiscal impacts. Staff said some design and permitting work already completed would be useful regardless of which option the council selects.

The committee approved the staff recommendation to continue working with the administrative office and to receive the March report. The roll call recorded "yes" votes from Councilmember Soto Martínez, Councilmember Jurado, Councilmember Nazaria and Councilmember Park.

The committee’s decision does not authorize construction contracts or set a final budget; it directs staff to prepare options and analysis for the council’s further consideration. The meeting record shows widespread public support for moving ahead on modernization and expansion to keep Los Angeles competitive with other West Coast markets and to create union jobs, while council members and staff stressed that detailed costs, procurement approach and staffing requirements must be resolved before any construction commitment.

The committee will revisit the matter after receiving the March report, which staff said will include cost updates, financing options, staffing needs and the feasibility of different delivery methods. That future staff report will be the basis for any formal appropriation, contracting or launch decision.