According to the Charlotte Observer, the City Council recently approved a $110 million plan to expand and renovate the Charlotte Convention Center by adding new meeting space and breakout rooms in an attempt to lure in more events. The construction on the 23 year old building is expected to start next year and run through 2020. It's being funded by the city’s hospitality tax. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority says the meeting market has changed, as more breakout rooms and space for smaller meetings are the new trend.
The renovation has been in the works since 2015. The project will add 93,000 square feet of space along Stonewall Street, including large windows in what’s now mostly a blank wall facing the sidewalk. Fifteen new meeting spaces with movable walls that can be further subdivided will be included. A pedestrian bridge across Stonewall Street will connect the center to the Novel apartment and retail development, as well as the Blue Line light-rail station and the 700-room Westin Hotel.
“This is a piece our planners have been asking us for basically since the building’s been open,” said Steve Bagwell, vice president of venues for the CRVA, at a City Council meeting earlier this month. “We think this will be almost like another main entrance we’re adding to the building.” Plans for an expansion of the ballroom terrace and a new event space above the light rail were dropped due to their cost, CRVA spokeswoman Laura White said.
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