Phase Two

In Phase Two, the existing Convention Center North building is demolished and replaced with another four levels of convention center that will offer 527,000 square feet of rentable space when it opens in early 2009.

Between 2006 and 2008, the new West Building and the existing South Building will host clients while Convention Center North is demolished.

Preliminary plans show the Phase Two Lower Level featuring 245,500 square-feet of underground exhibition space, divisible into four halls. Phase One and Two will connect to form one contiguous underground exhibition hall of 310,000 square feet.

Street Level includes a 46,000 square-foot ballroom and 45,000 square feet of meeting space with 28 meeting rooms. Preliminary plans also include a large food court.

Conference Center level features 28 rooms and 45,000 square feet of high-level corporate meeting space.

The Upper Level features a 190,000-square foot exhibition hall that also can be used for large plenary sessions. A sky bridge at this level connects to the Phase One building.

Special features:

• All exhibition-hall floors scored on a 10-foot-by-10-foot grid, coordinated with the 30-foot-by-30-foot utility grid, to reduce the amount of time and labor needed to set up each event.



• "Gasketed" loading dock spaces that allow the exhibition space and docks to be climate-controlled during move-in and move-out.



• $3 million in new public art in and around the West Building and the North Building.



• Downtown location adjacent to theaters, museums, arena and ballpark, and 10 minutes from nation's 5th-largest airport.



• Joining the existing downtown hotels, a new, 1,000-room Sheraton will be one block away from the new convention center in 2008.



• Two light rail stations will be adjacent to the new convention center in 2008.