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Politics

Port Will Chip In For Convention Center Expansion

An artist's rendering illustrates the plans for expanding the Convention Center, including a five-acre rooftop park.
Courtesy of the San Diego Convention Center
An artist's rendering illustrates the plans for expanding the Convention Center, including a five-acre rooftop park.
Port Will Chip In For Convention Center Expansion
The push is on to get the Convention Center expansion off the ground. The City of San Diego yesterday asked the Port of San Diego to kick in some money to make it happen.

Three million dollars a year for 20 years, that’s how much San Diego wants the Port to contribute toward the $550 million convention center expansion. And the Port commissioners conditionally agreed to provide the money. A formal agreement still has to be worked out. But Port Chairman Scott Peters said it’s a good deal.

“This is a money making thing for the Port,” he said. “Even at $3 million and $3.5 million. If we make $500,00 a year, that’s a pretty good return, especially in today’s market. So this is something we would do to provide a return to the Port.”

Representatives from several other Port cities said they support the expansion. However, they pointed out the Port is comprised of five cities and all of their needs must be considered, not just San Diego’s.