Saturday, November 21, 2009

SPECIAL SECTION: SPOKANE CONVENTION CENTER

From Expo '74 to today

The evolving enterprise of Spokane's Convention Center

July 19, 2006

1974: Opera House and Convention Center open for the World's Fair in Spokane.

Late 1974 to early 1975: After World's Fair, Convention Center converted into flat-floor space suitable for conventions.

Spring 1988: Lawmakers approve creation of Public Facilities District for a new Arena to replace the aging Coliseum.

January 1989: International Agricultural Trade Center opens.

Spring 1989: Lawmakers modify PFD law to allow district to be created by city and county resolutions, giving voters authority over taxes.

ADVERTISEMENT

November 1990: Spokane County ratifies PFD and approves 2 percent hotel-motel tax, but rejects property tax measure for Arena.

Spring 1991: Lawmakers modify PFD law, giving the district authority to ask voters for a local sales tax of one-tenth of 1 percent for new Arena.

Sept. 17, 1991: Voters approve sales tax for new Arena.

September 1995: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena opens.

Spring 1999: Lawmakers modify PFD law, making a 0.033 percent sales tax rebate available for Convention Center expansion.

May 2002: Voters approve extending Arena taxes for expanded Convention Center and for projects at county fairgrounds and Mirabeau Point in Spokane Valley.

July 1, 2003: Local officials approve financing plan for Convention Center and other projects.

Aug. 26, 2003: PFD board selects east site.

Sept. 2, 2003: Spokane city ownership of Opera House, Ag Trade and Convention centers passes to PFD.

September 2003: PFD proposes buying Azteca Mexican Restaurant property for $2.1 million and 30 years of free rent on city-owned property at Washington and Main.

Nov. 11, 2003: Spokane PFD approves design and budget for $79 million Convention Center expansion.

December 2003: PFD pays $3 million to owner of C.I. Shenanigan's Restaurant for property and easements needed for expansion.

February 2004: Opposition grows to plan to move Azteca to new downtown location with 30 years' free rent.

March 2004: Davenport Hotel owner Walt Worthy resigns from the PFD board, citing concerns about the expansion project's budget, location and lack of parking. Board member Tom Power resigns five months later citing similar concerns.

April 2004: PFD announces deal to pay $4 million to Azteca for property needed for expansion. The deal does not include providing an alternate location.

April 2004: PFD announces deal to pay $3 million to the DoubleTree Hotel for property needed for expansion.

April 2004: PFD unanimously approves final design for new exhibit hall.

June 2004: Azteca confirms its plans to move across the street to 245 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

July 1, 2004: Groundbreaking ceremony for the Convention Center expansion.

August 2004: PFD closes deal to pay DoubleTree Hotel $3 million for property needed for expansion.

November 2004-May 2005: C.I. Shenanigan's Restaurant closes for six months because of construction.

December 2004: Cost overruns for expansion project announced after largest construction contract comes in $6.3 million over budget.

March 2005: $8.7 million in cost overruns are resolved in part through budget revisions.

March 2005: PFD confirms it is looking for corporate sponsors to pay for naming rights to the Spokane Convention Center, Opera House and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

August 2005: PFD sells for $9.1 million its option to refinance the bonds that paid for the expansion.

February 2006: Project is two months ahead of schedule thanks to back-to-back mild winters.

March 2006: PFD confirms Group Health will pay $75,000 a year for naming rights to the expansion, which will be called the Group Health Exhibit Hall.

May 2006: PFD announces that Inland Northwest Bank will pay $1.5 million over 10 years for naming rights to the Spokane Opera House, which will now be called the INB Performing Arts Center.

June 2006: PFD votes to do everything within its power to purchase a city block south of the Convention Center for parking and future expansion space, including possibly asking the City Council to condemn the land if negotiations fail.

July 19, 2006: Grand opening.

Spring of 2007: Anticipated completion of the remodel on the existing Convention Center.