Construction is expected to be a two-year process, withcompletion slated for March 2003. The new wing will be on theconvention center's surface parking lot, on the south end of theexisting structure. The expansion is expected to help theconvention center attract larger conventions. It's also expected tohelp increase vacancy rates that have been steadily dropping forthe past few years as thousands of new hotel rooms have comeonline. Several hundred more rooms are still on the way, includingthe Hilton Hotel addition in downtown Portland and a Residence Innby Marriott at Riverplace, just south of downtown.

The six-month delay is responsible for about $4 million of theestimated $10 million increase in costs. Another $4 million isattributable to the decision to ax plans for an aboveground parkingstructure in favor of underground parking. The remaining $2 millioncomes from the city's requirement for more windows and otheramenities to be added to the project. The Metro Council, theregional government that oversees the convention center, isscheduled to give its approval to the changes Dec. 14.