For downtown San Diego, there has been 2 major developments that have boosted this city and have brought millions to America’s Finest City. Those 2 are Petco Park where the Padres play and also the Convention Center.
With the city growing more and more and expected to double to 90 thousand people living downtown by 2030, the city has been trying to expand the convention center for years now. Just the other day, judges ruled how the city is trying to pay for the expansion is unconstitutional. They went on to say: “while we understand the City would like to expand the convention center, we are duty bound to uphold the provisions of the California Constitution and the City Charter that require that the City’s registered voters approve the special tax at issue in this case.”
The convention center expansion was estimated to be $520 million dollars. Most of the proposed money would come from 1-3 % increase from hotel tax. Surprised they didn’t try to add on any downtown San Diego real estate tax as well? Closer you are to the convention center, the more tax a guest would have to pay. This plan was accepted by the San Diego city council 7-1 years ago but San Diegans for Open Government (SDOG) didn’t like it and took it to the Superior Court. They said the people that will pay the fees don’t have a vote on it; so they took it to court. March 2013, the superior court Judge decided with the city but again, the SDOG appealed that ruling and landed this case on the court of appeals. Well, this time around SDOG got their wishes and the judges decided with them.
So what’s next for the convention center? Will we loose our largest client, Comic Con, whose contract ends in 2016? Right now, the city can appeal this new decision, have voters vote on this current plan in 2016 or recreate a new plan. Either way, costs are going up and regardless, we need additional convention center space for our clients. We thrive on tourism here in San Diego and the expansion is necessary for this city.