The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has a green light to begin a $2 billion Boston expansion courtesy of legislation included in last month's budget bill that authorizes construction of up to seven hotels around the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the Seaport District.
The new hotels can have a maximum of 2,700 rooms, including a 1,200-room headquarters hotel that convention center authorities acknowledge may need to be subsidized by up to $200 million in public funds. The legislature did not include any funding for the hotel developments, but is allowing the convention authority to spend some tax money it receives for prep work, such as clearing land and building parking lots, that is necessary for the new hotels.
