Comments
DTLA - Los Angeles stands at a crossroads. Our streets are crumbling, too many residents are unhoused, and our city faces a daunting budget crisis. Yet, in the face of these pressing issues, City Hall has approved a $2.6 billion expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center — a decision that risks our financial stability and diverts attention from the needs of everyday Angelenos.
At first glance, the expansion may appear to promise economic growth and a revitalized downtown. Proponents argue it will attract more tourists, create jobs, and enhance Los Angeles’ global standing. But these promises are speculative at best. Across the country, cities that have invested heavily in convention centers often find themselves saddled with massive debt and underutilized facilities, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the burden while the promised economic benefits fail to materialize.
Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, has been a vocal critic of this expansion. She warned that the project is "unrealistic," "unaffordable," and "fiscally irresponsible," emphasizing that it would put the city at severe risk. Yaroslavsky highlighted that the expansion would require collateralizing essential city assets, including the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters and fire stations, to secure the necessary funding. She cautioned that such a move could lead to reduced city services, stating bluntly, "If you think city services are bad now… it's going to get worse." Her words remind us that every dollar allocated to a convention hall is a dollar taken away from streets, parks, housing programs, and other services that residents rely on daily.
Adding to these concerns, City Controller Kenneth Mejia has expressed strong opposition to the project. He stated that his office cannot recommend moving forward with the expansion, citing the city's persistent budgetary and financial problems with no long-term solutions in place. Mejia pointed out that the expansion will not generate a net positive impact for the city's general fund until the late 2050s — meaning that generations of taxpayers will carry the cost long before the city sees any financial return.His analysis underscores the gamble that this expansion represents: the city is risking billions of dollars today for an uncertain payoff decade into the future.
The timing of the expansion raises additional concerns. With the 2028 Olympics approaching, City Hall is under pressure to complete the project on time. But construction delays are a real possibility, and if the facility is not ready, Los Angeles could face financial penalties. In addition, the post-pandemic convention market has shifted dramatically. Many events now rely on hybrid or virtual formats, reducing the demand for massive physical space. Expanding at this moment could result in a state-of-the-art facility that sits underutilized, all while core services suffer from chronic underfunding.
The projected costs of the expansion — averaging $89 million annually over the next 30 years — could have transformative impacts if redirected. Imagine investing that same money in affordable housing projects, addressing the homelessness crisis, improving public safety, modernizing public transit, or repairing aging streets and parks. These are tangible improvements that directly affect the lives of Angelenos. Instead, the city risks prioritizing prestige over people, spectacle over substance.
Los Angeles deserves investments that prioritize the well-being of its residents. Councilmember Yaroslavsky and Controller Mejia have both made clear that fiscal responsibility must come first. Their voices call for a city that invests in essentials: housing, safety, clean streets, reliable infrastructure, and equitable opportunities for all. These are the projects that define a city’s quality of life, not shiny new buildings that serve corporate interests.
The Convention Center expansion is not just a construction project; it is a test of our city’s priorities. Will Los Angeles choose to invest in the future of its residents, or will it gamble with taxpayer dollars on an uncertain venture? The decision made today will echo for decades, shaping the lives of current and future generations.
Los Angeles cannot afford to bet its fiscal stability and community well-being on a gamble that benefits few while putting many at risk. It’s time for City Hall to listen to voices like Yaroslavsky and Mejia, prioritize the urgent needs of the city, and invest in the people who make Los Angeles vibrant and resilient. The choice is clear: prestige or people. Our city cannot have both.
(Mihran Kalaydjian has over twenty years of public affairs, government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, community relations and strategic communications experience. He is a leading member of the community and a devoted civic engagement activist for education spearheading numerous academic initiatives in local political forums. Mihran is also the President of Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure of TCCI)
