Renovation Proposed for Anaheim Center

In an effort to attract more national conventions and win key business support for a tax hike, Anaheim city officials are proposing a $60-million expansion and renovation of the city’s Convention Center.

Refurbishing the center, designed to be a companion attraction to Walt Disney Co.’s new resort project, would be part of $230-million package of improvements to the area around the Disney complex.

In addition to improving Anaheim’s position in the fiercely competitive convention business, the Convention Center renovation is also proposed as an incentive for Anaheim hotel and motel owners to support raising the local bed tax to 15% from 13%.

Currently, 1% of the bed tax is allotted to Convention Center improvements, which include supporting infrastructure projects in the area.

The additional revenue from the tax hike would help pay for widening streets, enlarging sewer pipes and other projects needed to support the city’s revitalization efforts, city sources said.

The Convention Center, which is across the street from Disneyland, is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the nation, with five exhibit halls and a 9,000-seat arena.

Hotel and motel owners have complained in recent months that the center needs to be updated--with additional meeting rooms and more lobby space--if it is to continue attracting conventioneers.

Nonetheless, they have been cautious about committing to the higher bed tax. Some have said they want assurances that Disney will build its new resort, which, as proposed, will have at least 1,800 hotel rooms, a 5,000-seat amphitheater, landscaped walkways, a shopping district and a new theme park, called Westcot, adjacent to Disneyland.

If the hotel and motel owners defeated the bed tax, it would be very difficult for the city to pay for infrastructure improvements.

The overhauling of the area’s infrastructure--the city is responsible for $120 million of the cost--is vital to the development of the $3-billion resort.

Disney has said it wants local, county, state and federal agencies to make improvements to the area’s streets, sewers and parking garages to support that project.