OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A $200 million expansion project hit a major milestone Monday.
The new convention space at the CHI Health Center reached its final height as officials build anticipation for the opening of this new addition.
MECA tells First Alert 6 they hope to attract larger attractions benefitting local businesses like hotels, bars and restaurants.
“We just did not have enough break out spaces and rooms for a bigger convention size to come here so we are truly excited,” said Diane Duren, MECA Board of Directors Chair.
For two decades, CHI has drawn concerts, NCAA basketball, local high school state tournaments, annual stakeholder meetings and more.
But, it wasn’t enough.
According to MECA, in 2023 Omaha ranked last among a group of 20 cities that compete for convention and meeting business because of their capacity.
“With these additional 26 meeting rooms, that puts us right square in the middle of all of these other larger cities and gives us a chance to compete,” explained Omaha Mayor John Ewing.
The 200 million dollar expansion will add 90,000 square feet of space, roughly the size of one and a half football fields. The new space will extend from the east side of the current convention center. Glass walls will frame views of the Riverfront Parks.
“It is all about better is better, not bigger is better,” said MECA President & CEO Adam Straight. “So if we make our facilities the best they can be then clients will come to this.”
MECA notes roughly 85% of convention attendees are from out of town. Each one spending money on hotels, restaurants and shops.
Mayor Ewing expects the expansion to benefit your favorite spots from downtown to Blackstone, with the completion of the streetcar project.
“When we get this done, especially with the streetcar, we will have an opportunity for our downtown businesses in the Capitol district, the old market, midtown, Blackstone, and so what I want people to do is patronize those businesses now,” said Mayor Ewing. “So that they can survive so that we can all thrive together once this is done. This is an opportunity for us to be great in 2028.”
The expansion is expected to be done in the fall of 2027.
MECA tells First Alert 6 they have already booked clients through 2030.
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