PHILADELPHIA, PA—The Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC) expansion plans received a big push last week. Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell presented a $16 million check to PCC officials, kicking off the first monetary installment of the buildings expansion, which will nearly double its size. The multimillion-dollar check will cover routine expenses associated with initial phases of expansion, including architectural renderings, construction documents, property acquisition and the development of a finance plan, a business plan and an operating plan.
Its a great day for the convention center and our customers, says Michael Nutter, chairman, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. Its the day weve all been waiting for. Were now on our way to expansion.
The expanded center will boast the largest amount of contiguous exhibit space of any convention center in the Northeast (541,000 sq. ft.); the largest amount of ballroom space of any convention center on the East Coast (93,000 sq. ft.); and a total of 87 meeting rooms. An eye-catching main entrance to the convention center from Broad Street highlights the expansion, which is expected to be completed in 2008, and according to the PCC, approximately 35 accounts are ready to book the expanded facility. This massive venture represents the largest capital project in the history of Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.pcvb.org. |