Mt. Vernon convention center loses more DC Council support
Shaw Coalition
May 27, 1998

Shaw Coalition
926 N St NW Rear
Washington, D C 20001

Mt. Vernon convention center loses more D.C. Council support

Two more D.C. councilmembers have announced that they will not support the current plan for a new convention center at Mt. Vernon Square. Councilmembers Hilda Mason (At-Large) and mayoral candidate Kevin Chavous (Ward 7) say new information — including industry statistics published yesterday in a Washington Post investigative report — shows that the Mt. Vernon plan for a convention center is fatally flawed and should not go forward.

At least five D.C. Councilmembers are now on the record opposing the Mt. Vernon plan for the new convention center.

The Washington Post reported yesterday that the proposed center's lack of expansion room could make it obsolete within ten years of opening — 24 years before bonds would be paid off.

The Washington Convention Center Authority scrambled to release an ad-hoc expansion plan that would cost an additional $750 million on top of the $1 billion convention center The source of the additional funds was not identified.

Fox Morning News will feature the convention center controversy Thursday at 7:15 a.m. on Channel 5 WTTG.

Councilmember Kevin Chavous can be reached at (202) 724-8068. Councilmember Hilda Mason can be reached at (202) 724-8064.

For more information contact the Shaw Coalition (202) 789-7864.