The Denver City Council approved last week a $212 million design-build contract with Greeley-based Hensel Phelps Construction for the Colorado Convention Center expansion project.
The expansion includes a new 80,000-square-foot multi-purpose room and outdoor rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the city skyline and mountains. On the ground floor, there will be lobby renovations. The improvements will serve the needs of modern day convention-goers and differentiate the facility from others, ensuring it remains an attractive and global competitor. When complete, the expansion will allow for an estimated 25 additional events per year, generating an additional $85 million in annual economic impact.
The project, anticipated to be completed in late 2023, will expand one of the largest buildings in Denver, while ensuring it can continue to operate during construction and will play a key role in Denver’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for the expansion includes $104M from Measure 2C passed by voters in 2015 and $129M in Certificates of Participation (COP) issued in 2018, with repayment of the COPs derived from Tourism Improvement District revenues, a portion of the seat tax and excess revenues from the Convention Center Hotel.
Rendering courtesy of City of Denver