Council Sees Convention Center Ideas

The final master plan for expanding and modernizing the Anaheim Convention Center is expected to be considered June 18 by the City Council, which reviewed preliminary architectural drawings this week.

City officials estimate the project’s first phase would be completed by January 2001 at a cost of $153.5 million. The city is researching potential funding sources, said Convention Center General Manager Greg Smith.

Work in the first phase would include expanding the exhibit halls and meeting rooms, planting gardens and other landscaping elements, and adding an attention-getting spire.

“It all looks very, very well planned so far,” said Mayor Tom Daly during a presentation by architects from Hellmuth Obata & Kassabaum. The firm also designed the Pond in Anaheim.

“We’re very happy with it,” said Charles W. Ahlers, president of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau. He said the city should move fast on the improvements.

“Anaheim just isn’t the magnet that it was,” Ahlers said. He warned that Anaheim stands to lose “a tremendous amount of money in the very near future” if convention and trade show business is lured to newer facilities in such cities as San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Ahlers’ statements are supported by an analysis conducted for Anaheim last year by Coopers & Lybrand, one of the nation’s top accounting firms. The study found that the convention center needs a major face lift and expansion if it is to remain competitive.