BUFFALO (WBEN) - At a press conference Tuesday, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz unveiled the new facade design for the Buffalo Convention Center, as what to do with the facility has been a topic in recent years.
"We've heard from our friends in the convention and visitor's business that one of the worst attributes of our convention center and trying to attract business to our area was the 1970's era brutalist facade," said Poloncarz.
Prior to the pandemic, Poloncarz announced intentions to move forward with construction of a brand new convention center that would have cost an estimated $441 million.
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However, Poloncarz noted Tuesday that the plan now is to invest in the current facility for the time being.
"Last year after discussing with others, we decided rather than to try to move ahead with a nearly half-a-billion dollar new center, that we would invest in the current facility to keep it vibrant and a facility that people would want to attend for at least the next 10 years," said Poloncarz.
The county executive pointed to uncertainty with the convention industry as one of the main reasons for putting plans for a new center "on the back burner."
The new facade is expected to be completed in December of next year.
