New York -- A plan to expand the Jacob Javits Convention Center overcame its final hurdle yesterday when the state's top elected officials unanimously approved public funding for the $1.7-billion project.
The project will increase the center's exhibit space by 45 percent, to 1.1 million square feet; and meeting room space by 600 percent, to 210,000 square feet. A headquarters hotel is also part of the project. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall, with a 2010 completion.
The long-delayed plan to expand the center, located in midtown Manhattan, will allow the city to compete for bigger conventions and tradeshows as well as events that can take place concurrently.
Jonathan Tisch, chairman of NYC & Company, the city's convention bureau, said the expansion "will bring New York City back to the forefront of the convention business."
The bureau has already secured nine new conventions for the expanded center, representing 310,000 hotel room nights, Tisch said.
With the expansion, the Javits Center will become the eighth-largest convention center in North America, from 16th place at present, according to the bureau.
The Public Authority Control Board, whose voting members consist of Governor George Pataki, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, approved the project. Financing, from state and municipal sources, includes an increase in the city's hotel tax of $1.50 per night.