ANAHEIM : Designer Sought for Center Expansion

In an effort to keep up with increasing competition for convention business, the City Council this week authorized a search for an architectural firm to provide master planning and design drawings for a proposed expansion of the Anaheim Convention Center.

The city will begin soliciting proposals from nationally recognized architectural firms with convention center experience.

Staffers are expected to bring a recommendation back to the council within 60 days, according to City Manager James D. Ruth.

The council’s unanimous decision came after officials reviewed the findings of a study conducted by one of the nation’s top accounting firms.

The study showed that the facility needs a major expansion if it is to remain competitive in the tourism industry.

The study, conducted by Coopers & Lybrand, analyzed the financial feasibility of expanding the city-owned facility, located across the street from Disneyland on Katella Avenue.

The study recommended that the city expand exhibit and meeting space and add a ballroom to the building, which already has nine exhibit halls and a 9,000-seat arena.

Mayor Tom Daly called the consultant’s report “excellent” and said the time to move forward with expansion is now.

“The city of Anaheim has a tremendous investment in the Convention Center,” Daly said.

“We are in danger of losing our great market position, and we need to keep that in mind during this master planning process.”