The task force charged with considering an expansion of San Diego’s convention center has seen what the project might ultimately look like. The group will now begin looking at how to pay for it.
The conceptual plans for the expansion feature more meeting space, a wide walkway along the bay, shops, restaurants and a pedestrian bridge linking the Gaslamp District to the Embarcadero. Members of the task force appeared to like the renderings, but stressed the drawings are just theoretical. Nothing can happen if there isn’t money to pay for an expansion.
The task force will be considering the finances at its next two meetings. It will be evaluating methods other cities have used to finance public buildings and how those methods might be applied in San Diego. A Convention Center spokesman says it’s been estimated the project could cost a billion dollars. But he says it’s premature to put an exact price tag on the expansion. The task force will meet again in about two weeks.
