by KATU Staff
PORTLAND, Ore. — After more than a year of construction, renovations at the Oregon Convention Center are complete.
Officials from Metro and the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC) joined the Oregon Convention Center in unveiling the building on Monday, renovated with the Pacific Northwest in mind.
The ceiling is a topographic map of the Cascade Mountain Range, and the new carpet is meant to resemble lichen growing in the forest.
Metro and Oregon Convention Center officials says the renovation comes at a critical time, as Portland is becoming a hot spot destination for meetings and conventions.
MERC Commissioner Ray Leary says this kind of growth isn't going to stop here.
“The window of opportunity for one deal, this is not a one-and done, this is the beginning of a more equitable process, within procurement and within construction, within Metro, hopefully within the city, and hopefully within the state,” said Commissioner Leary.
The renovation cost $40 million, which Metro and the Oregon Convention Center say was completed on time and within budget.
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