The Miami Beach Commission is finally going to let investors, developers and architects renovate the Beach's old and frumpy looking convention center.
The convention has been the site for some big events in the city. For example, Art Basel has been hosted at the center for the past few years. But even though some hot events are hosted there, the convention center has maintained its old and outdated look.
That's about to change, though.
According to The Miami Herald,
The Miami Beach Commission voted 6-1 Wednesday to pursue its long-delayed project to renovate and expand the convention center, build an 800-room hotel and convert the surrounding land into a potentially 6-million-square-foot complex.Developers, architects and investors have been vying since January to design and plan the project, projected between $500 million and $1 billion. Of the eight teams that submitted bids, two teams will now move on to meet with the community, craft development plans and propose financing.
The convention center was built in 1957 and last renovated in 1989. For years, developers have been trying to win contracts to renovate the center.
However, the progress of those plans has been stunted in the past by bid rigging and investigations. This time around, plans don't seem to have the same problem.
Any plans will eventually need to be signed off by voters.
