The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s board of directors approved the budget, timeline, and plans for the renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Most of the work will be completed in 2010, as initially planned, although some meeting room renovations will be completed in 2011 to accommodate trade show clients.

The $890 million project includes a new grand lobby, which will connect the three halls of the convention center, and a new meeting hall concourse in the South Hall, adding approximately 86,000 square feet of meeting space.

The project also includes upgrades to electrical and technology infrastructure as well as aesthetic enhancements. In addition, a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police substation and a Clark County fire station will be built at the facility. The convention center will become the first in the country to have police and fire stations on-site.

Construction of the police station will begin this year. Major construction on the main building will begin in early 2008. The LVCVA has been working with and consulting convention and trade show clients in an effort to help mitigate the impact on their events, says Jeremy Handel, LVCVA spokesman.

“The overriding goal of the program is to enhance the customer experience for everyone using the facility,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and chief executive officer at the LVCVA, in a statement. “The design improves the functionality, usability, and lifespan of our building for decades to come.”