ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The future expansion of the St. Louis Convention Center could be in jeopardy if more funds are not found for the project.
As reported by stltoday.com, Kitty Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC), which operates the venue, says the second phase of the expansion (known as AC Next Gen) cannot move ahead without more money.
The article states instead the project team for AC Next Gen will focus on completing the $127 million first phase for now. This phase adds more exhibit space, creates a new western entrance, improves the building’s façade, and revamps the loading docks.
Ratcliffe has also asked the city’s Board of Alderman to officially allocate $30 million earmarked for the expansion from the settlement St. Louis received after the NFL’s Rams franchise left the city for Los Angeles.
She says that $30 million would help keep the project on track, and would be used to replace flooring and skylights, as well as create a new outdoor plaza.
According to the article, the expansion of the convention center was proposed by the CVC to keep the venue more competitive with cities with larger and more modern facilities.
However, delays on the project have been caused by a number of factors—including the COVID-19 pandemic—and it now faces cost overruns due to supply-chain issues and higher interest rates.
Ratcliffe first revealed in December 2022 that the CVC no longer has enough money to fund the second phase, which would add 65,000 square feet of ballroom space.
While the aforementioned $30 million would be helpful, Ratcliffe says it will not totally cover the rest of the project’s costs.
St. Louis County, which borders on the City of St. Louis, has stated it will not provide any more funds to the project.
Despite the struggles, city officials noted in the article they understand the situation is beyond Ratcliffe and the CVC’s “control,” while also praising her for helping to bring Beyonce’s next world tour to the city.
