Interestingly enough, the Phoenix Convention Center is expected to be complete in December 2008. The last of the construction, the "North Building", will open to conventions in January 2009. It just so happens that our Light Rail system that will connect Phoenix to Tempe and Mesa is scheduled to begin carrying passengers in December of 2008. Sounds like some pretty good timing for both as they will surely compliment each other.
The new Light Rail stop at Washington and 3rd St is right next to the 2 new buildings called the West Building and the North Building. (There is also a "South" Building)

I was down town last week looking at the construction of this huge, $600 million expansion of the Convention Center. The tie in between the Convention Center and Light Rail makes a lot of sense to me. I can see a huge benefit to convention goers and business travelers wanting an easy way to get around town to restaurants, shopping or to take in some sights at a near by museum etc.  There will be a pedestrian walk way over 3rd Street connecting the North and West buildings. The North building alone takes up a whole city block, has 635,000 square feet of event space and a 45,000-square-foot ballroom.

The construction in this area has been a massive undertaking for a very long time. Between the Convention Center and Light Rail, you can imagine how the near by business owners must feel. Of course, the benefits should be great once these two projects are complete. There are programs to help business owners but the reality is that these projects will probably not help out much until they begin getting people in the seats. There is a sign located at the S/E corner of Washington and 3rd which is next to the "South" building. The sign notify's people that Kincaids restaurant is open during construction. Just so you know, Kincaids is a really good spot for lunch! :-)