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City Approves Miami Beach Convention Center Makeover

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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) - Every year it hosts a number of events - from auto shows to boats shows. Now, it's scheduled to get a major makeover.

On Friday, in an unanimous vote, the Miami Beach City Commission approved moving forward with the $592 million renovation and expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The center, which was built in 1957, is home the internationally acclaimed Art Basel Miami Beach, the Miami International Boat Show and national sporting events, the convention center is one of the region's largest tourism draws for South Florida.

The city estimates the new and improved 1.4 million square foot center will generate approximately $2.5 billion over 30 years. It will also create approximately 5,000 temporary jobs and 1,600 permanent jobs supported by the ongoing spending of future convention guests.

Planners say renovations to the center will be designed with a strong emphasis on the natural environment, utilizing solar energy and 60% natural lighting for the interior. They expect the changes will lead to a 20% energy reduction.

A new six-acre public green space will replace an existing asphalt parking lot in front of the new center, and adjacent to the existing Miami Beach Botanical Garden and Holocaust Memorial.

The new Miami Beach Convention Center is slated for completion in late 2017.

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