Convention Center Expansion

The Council adopted Resolution R-316636 on February 23, 2026, with final passage February 26. It assigns Measure C hotel-tax funds to roof, power, electrical and central-plant work at the existing facility.[19]

Measure C was approved by voters in March 2020. Following litigation-related delay, the City began collecting the additional hotel tax on May 1, 2025; the resolution assigns 59% of that additional tax to the Convention Center Revenue Account.[19]

FY2026 allocation

$21,402,788 — the precise approved amount behind AMSI's 'over $21 million'

Confirmed in cited source · Source ↗

West roof

$7,500,000 for engineering, design and construction

Confirmed in cited source · Source ↗

Central plant

$9,503,888 for overhaul design and subsequent replacement work, plus $600,000 for quality assurance and quality control

Confirmed in cited source · Source ↗

Power and electrical systems

$1,275,000 for west generator and underground storage tank work; $1,423,900 for transformers; $1,100,000 for switchgear and panels

Confirmed in cited source · Source ↗

The Union-Tribune's February 24, 2026 report describes nearly $120 million of urgent repairs over five years and, more precisely, more than $118 million in that period. Those are descriptions of the same near-term program, not two amounts to add together.[11]

The report cites a 2022 facility assessment identifying nearly $244 million of repairs and capital improvements over 25 years, or more than $452 million with inflation. This corrects the source article's ambiguous 'up to $244 million+' formulation: the time horizon and inflation basis matter.[11][20]

The reported problems include boilers and chillers, electrical infrastructure, plumbing and roof leaks in a 2.6-million-square-foot building. These works support continued event operation; they do not by themselves increase exhibit space.[11]

Facility size

2.6 million square feet, as reported in connection with the 2022 condition assessment

Reported by cited source · Source ↗

Five-year repair estimate

More than $118 million, described in the same February 2026 report as nearly $120 million; not a separate expansion appropriation

Reported by cited source · Source ↗

25-year needs

Nearly $244 million from the reported 2022 assessment; more than $452 million after inflation, according to City staff quoted in February 2026

Reported by cited source · Source ↗

Measure C's convention-center objective included enlargement, but February 2026 reporting describes higher construction costs and unresolved control of the adjoining Fifth Avenue Landing leasehold. The reported lease expiry is mid-2027, not an expansion completion date.[11]

The same report says a 2018 settlement remained in place and constrained public discussion or planning steps until the following year. Neither that report nor the repair resolution establishes a new expansion groundbreaking date. Tourism, convention capacity and larger-event opportunities remain the policy context rather than a promised outcome.[11][19]

Expansion constraints

Rising costs and control of the Fifth Avenue Landing waterfront parcel, as reported February 24, 2026

Reported by cited source · Source ↗

Lease chronology

Fifth Avenue Landing lease reported to expire in mid-2027; no implication that expansion opens in 2027

Reported by cited source · Source ↗