Mayor Todd Gloria today highlighted a series of actions taken by the City Council to advance a multi-year modernization program for the San Diego Convention Center, consistent with his announcement during his State of the City Address last month.

These modernizations are funded by visitor-generated Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues established by Measure C (2020) and delivered in partnership with the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (SDCCC).

“As I’ve said, San Diego can’t just get by on our looks — we have to be a city that competes and wins,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Today’s actions mean we are investing in one of our most important economic engines so it stays modern, reliable, and competitive — and we’re doing it with dollars paid by visitors, not residents.”

The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 allocation, which is the first in a five-year annual funding plan for critical near-term modernization projects that prioritize the most needed capital improvements to address aging systems and building deficiencies. These projects will maintain operational reliability for major conventions and events, ensuring that the Convention Center remains a preferred destination and a vital asset for the regional economy.

Specifically, the City Council approved:

• Incorporating the Convention Center improvements into the City’s Capital Improvement Program, approving the budget for the Convention Center’s modernization fund, and authorizing the allocation of necessary funds to commence these projects.
• Authorizing the Mayor (or designee) to execute an updated agreement permitting the SDCCC to manage these construction projects, allowing the City’s Chief Financial Officer to transfer the requisite funds to implement these projects, and confirming that the modernization projects will adhere to the City’s existing Project Labor Agreement, which supports local workers and fair labor standards.

The Measure C revenues dedicated to these modernization projects are estimated at:

• $21.4 million in fiscal year 2026
• $18.3 million in fiscal year 2027
• $47.4 million in fiscal year 2028
• $21.3 million in fiscal year 2029
• $10.3 million in fiscal year 2030

“The critical capital improvements approved today will strengthen the reliability, safety, and performance of our facility. These strategic investments will allow us to continue hosting large-scale events that increase visitor spending, generate tax revenues, support good jobs, and promote regional prosperity," said San Diego Convention Center President and CEO Clifford "Rip" Rippetoe. “We appreciate Mayor Gloria's leadership in advancing these essential projects and thank the Mayor and City Council for their partnership in protecting this public asset.”

Today’s actions accelerate long-planned modernization efforts, position San Diego to retain and attract marquee conventions, and strengthen financial and operational controls over future capital improvements.