Boston’s exhibition industry is awaiting a verdict on the $1bn future of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
In April, governor Charlie Baker abruptly replaced seven of 13 board members at quasi-public agency the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which oversees the sprawling South Boston convention center.
The Baker administration put the brakes on the expansion amid concerns that its economic impact has been ‘overstated’ fearing its debt payments could drain money from the state.
“The environment has changed greatly in the five years since this proposal was first introduced, and the Seaport District has experienced an economic boom,” Baker said in a statement. “[It] would be irresponsible given the vast amounts of taxpayer dollars necessary to not only build but operate the expanded facility.”
The decision effects other development projects on the South Boston Waterfront including a large hotel proposal which may be scaled back, and two parking garages’ futures are also in doubt.
As part of its vision to make Boston one of the top five convention destinations in North America, the MCCA introduced a BCEC expansion plan that includes over 46,451sqm of additional meeting, exhibit, and ballroom space; additional hotel rooms in close proximity to the convention
Boston’s exhibition industry is awaiting a verdict on the $1bn future of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
In April, governor Charlie Baker abruptly replaced seven of 13 board members at quasi-public agency the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which oversees the sprawling South Boston convention center.
The Baker administration put the brakes on the expansion amid concerns that its economic impact has been ‘overstated’ fearing its debt payments could drain money from the state.
“The environment has changed greatly in the five years since this proposal was first introduced, and the Seaport District has experienced an economic boom,” Baker said in a statement. “[It] would be irresponsible given the vast amounts of taxpayer dollars necessary to not only build but operate the expanded facility.”
The decision effects other development projects on the South Boston Waterfront including a large hotel proposal which may be scaled back, and two parking garages’ futures are also in doubt.
As part of its vision to make Boston one of the top five convention destinations in North America, the MCCA introduced a BCEC expansion plan that includes over 46,451sqm of additional meeting, exhibit, and ballroom space; additional hotel rooms in close proximity to the convention center; and the transformation of D Street into an ‘authentic’ Boston neighborhood.