[Source: Jahna Berry, Arizona Republic] — A huge economic engine is rising near Third and Monroe streets in downtown Phoenix, city officials say. Work continues on the Phoenix Convention Center North Building, which will help funnel $350 million into the regional economy each year, according to city projections. By 2013, that number could grow to $500 million a year, city officials say. “We are planting the seeds for future tourism in the state of Arizona,” said Jay Green, director of the convention center.
The North Building, which is 569,000 square feet, is the final and biggest phase of the $600 million Phoenix Convention Center makeover. The project will be completed in December and will welcome its first convention in January, Phoenix officials say. “We are looking at this as the centerpiece downtown,” said Councilman Michael Johnson, whose district includes the convention center. Few signs of the old Civic Plaza, old convention center complex that opened in 1972, are left. The name was changed to the Phoenix Convention Center. A new 155,400-square-foot West Building was completed in 2006, and the old North Building was razed to make way for the one now under construction. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Downtown Voices Coalition 