Convention Center Subject of Meeting

Architectural plans for the proposed expansion of Anaheim Convention Center will be considered today by the City Council at a special meeting.

The center needs a major face lift and expansion if it is to remain competitive with convention and trade show facilities in cities such as Chicago, Dallas, San Diego and Atlanta, according to a recent analysis conducted for Anaheim by one of the nation’s top accounting firms.

The study by Coopers & Lybrand recommended that exhibit space at the Anaheim Convention Center be increased by 100,000 square feet to 700,000 square feet, and that meeting space be increased from 76,600 square feet to a maximum of about 175,400 square feet. The study also calls for a 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot ballroom.

The center now has five exhibit halls and a 9,000-seat arena.

The special meeting will start at 2 p.m. City officials have yet to determine how much the proposed improvements would cost or how to pay for them.

At its regularly scheduled meeting starting at 5 p.m. today, the council will consider transferring the city’s cable television franchise to another company.

The franchise, held by MultiVision Cable TV, would be transferred to Century Communications Corp. under the proposal. The council is expected to set a public hearing on the matter for Feb. 27.

Also on the agenda is a recommendation from the city manager’s office for the council to officially oppose Measure S on the March 26 ballot. Measure S would prohibit the construction of new regional airport facilities through 2015, and thus halt plans to possibly convert the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into a commercial airport.

Anaheim, as a major tourist and business destination, would benefit from expanded air travel options in Orange County, city officials say.