Convention Center Complex - C3 Project

Memorial Auditorium 2018 renovation to cost $18 million

The first phase of the project began in early June 2018 with the renovation of the Memorial Auditorium at a cost of $16 million adding seating, acoustic enhancements and other audio/visual upgrades. Renovations will enhance the patron’s experience and allow the Auditorium to host all scheduled performing arts events during the renovation of the Sacramento Community Center Theater, which begins Summer 2019.

Convention Center expansion to cost $196 million

The demolition of the Convention Center Administration Offices (Panatoni Building) at the corner of 15th and K Streets will began December 2018. This is a $196 million renovation/expansion of the Convention Center adding meeting rooms, exhibit halls and more lobby and kitchen space.

Community Center Theater renovation to cost $85 million

The Community Center Theater and the Convention Center will close for construction in Summer 2019 and re-open in Fall 2020. During this time, all shows scheduled at the Community Center Theater will be relocated to the Memorial Auditorium, which will have completed its renovation. Meanwhile, conventions and conferences temporarily will be hosted in various venues throughout the city, but downtown hotels will continue to host overnight visitors. At an estimated cost of $85 million, the renovation of the Community Center Theater will enhance the theater’s aesthetic appeal, improve its lobby and make the venue more accessible to disabled patrons.

Follow the construction time line here: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/Convention-Cultural-Services/Divisions/Convention-Center

How this is being funded:

The Sacramento City Council on Sept. 25, 2018 unanimously approved the issuance of up to $350 million in bonds to finance the renovation/expansion of the C3 Project, which includes the Convention Center, the Memorial Auditorium and the Community Center Theater. The bonds will not be repaid from the City’s general fund. Instead, they will be repaid by what’s known as the “transient occupancy tax,” or TOT. This is a 12 percent tax on hotel-room and short-term rental stays used for tourism-related projects.* In addition, local hotels have agreed to pay for the construction of the Convention Centers’ new ballroom, which will cost approximately $45-50 million.