ST. LOUIS—Construction begins next week on a long-awaited expansion of the America’s Center campus that officials here hope continues the region’s economic recovery from the pandemic and also keeps St. Louis competitive in the business of attracting large-scale conventions and events.

What You Need To Know

  • America's Center Convention Complex was last updated in 1995

  • Project to cost $210 million

  • Funded through hotel tax

  • St. Louis City, County each approved $105 million in bonds 

Tuesday morning, elected leaders and others gathered for a ceremonial groundbreaking of what’s being called “AC Next Gen” that when completed in early 2024, will include a new 72,000 square foot exhibit space, a new entrance at Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and 9th Street and expanded loading dock capacity.

 

The expansion and facelift do not include changes or upgrades to the dome portion of the facility.

Proceeds from hotel tax revenues will cover the $210 million project, but the pandemic and debate over financing the bonds, split evenly between the city and county, have caused delays.

The delayed timeline meant the facility lost out on keeping events like the FIRST Robotics STEM competition, and O’Reilly Auto Parts corporate events among others, Explore St. Louis President Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe told Spectrum News.

“This project is essential to our ability to attract larger conferences, larger conventions, and fill up our hotel rooms and also attract more business for the city and more business in the city means more tax revenue in our coffers,” St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said.

“America’s Center is an important asset to the region, allowing us to attract national and international events in a way that no other facility can do. And when they come, the positive impact is felt throughout the region,” added St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.

When completed, the project will also reduce Cole Street from three lanes to two, with landscaping and sidewalks on the south side of the street.

Page highlighted the project as an example of regionalism at work, and comes as the city, county and the regional stadium authority which oversees the Dome at America’s Center are in mediation over how to divide more than $500 million in proceeds from the settlement of the NFL/Rams lawsuit. The settlement was reached in November and paid out in December. It is unclear when the winning plaintiffs entered a formal mediation process.

Jones and Page both said Tuesday they weren’t in a hurry to spend whatever share the city and county receive thanks to work underway to fund projects and programs through the American Rescue Plan. Page said the ARPA process would help his administration see where “gaps are in the community.”

“What’s the rush?” Jones said, adding that she hopes the city’s share funds things seen by future generations.