CITY BEAT 5-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Newsline newsline.gif (8042 bytes) CITY BEATChattanooga
.........................
EXPANSIONS ROLLING OUT
The Chattanooga Convention Center opened an expansion in April that doubled exhibit space to 100,000 square feet; meeting rooms now total 21. Among eco-friendly features are numerous skylights and a system to collect water runoff for landscape irrigation. Other local attractions will grow in the coming years. The Tennessee Aquarium is planning a $30 million expansion, and the Hunter Museum of American Art will more than double in size. Both projects should finish in 2005.

Raleigh, N.C.
.........................
MONEY TO SPEND
Officials were scheduled to vote last month on plans for the Fayetteville Street Market area. With $200 million in hotel tax revenue at their disposal, some are pushing for the construction of a convention center and headquarters hotel. However, the city’s North Carolina Museum of Art has its hand out for $15 million. In other area news, a formerly vacant hotel will open this summer as a 200-room Doubletree.