Grand Junction, Colorado
For Immediate Release
February 15, 2017
DDA Board Endorses New Event Center
The Grand Junction DDA Board of Directors votes unanimously to support plans for a Grand Junction multi-purpose event center, April ballot initiative
The Grand Junction Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors voted to support the City of Grand Junction in its efforts to build a new regional event center downtown. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the event center citing the economic benefits to Downtown in both the short and long-term including increased tourism, the addition of over 200 direct jobs and securing Grand Junction’s spot as a regional hub for entertainment and commerce on the western slope.
The new Grand Junction event center will be a 5,200-seat multi-purpose event center scheduled to be fully operational in early 2019. The event center will incorporate the existing Two Rivers Convention Center – which will be renovated during the construction phase – and will be under a management umbrella with Two Rivers and the Avalon Theatre. These facilities will be managed by Pinnacle Venue Services, an experienced company with expertise in venue management and event programming all across the country.
Once completed, the event center is projected to draw 80,000 new visitors to Grand Junction annually and add $30 million in retail sales revenue, operating with a net positive of more than $500,000. The event center could serve as a catalyst for other downtown development including re-development of the historic train depot and the potential addition of more downtown hotels.
The City of Grand Junction is proposing a ¼% sales tax increase to cover the expense of constructing the new center – the equivalent of $30 annually per household. Voters will decide on the retail sales tax increase during April local elections.
For more information about the proposed Grand Junction Event Center, visit www.gjeventcenter.com.
For more information contact:
Allison Blevins, Downtown Grand Junction
[email protected] • 970-255-4923