David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Convention center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLLCC) is a convention, conference and exhibition building in downtown Pittsburgh in the U. S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is served by two exits on Interstate 579. The initial David L. Lawrence Convention Center was completed on the site on February 7, 1981, but as part of a renewal plan the new, completely redesigned center was opened in 2003 and funded in conjunction with nearby Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park. It sits on the southern shoreline of the Allegheny River. It is the first LEED certified convention center in North America and one of the first in the world. It is owned by the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

In the early 1970s a site on the opposite side of Downtown Pittsburgh was considered for a modern convention center, on the shores of the Monongahela River. On September 20, 1971, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania failed to approve that location, and site work slowly began on the present site as the city and county submitted it to the commonwealth on December 10, 1974. There was a proposal in mid 1974 to locate the center at the then transitioning Penn Station. The center had its ceremonial groundbreaking on June 8, 1977. On February 7, 1981, the original $35 million ($ million today) structure opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor Richard Caliguiri, County Commissioner Tom Foerster and Governor Dick Thornburgh. The old convention center was and lacked a ballroom. The 1981 building was demolished to make way for the current structure, built on the same site. After the Commonwealth approved funding for the redesigned center on February 3, 1999 Rafael Viñoly Architects, P. C. was chosen as the designer for the modern center on February 28, 1999. Viñoly along with Dewhurst MacFarlane & Partners and Goldreich Engineering P. C. constructed the $354 million ($ million today) riverfront landmark to contain of exhibit space ( of which is column free), of additional exhibit space, a ballroom, 51 meeting rooms, two 250 seat lecture halls, teleconference and telecommunications capabilities and of retail space (currently in development). The architect, Viñoly, began the design with a goal in mind of achieving the status of a "green" building. In 2003, the building was awarded Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U. S. Green Building Council, making it the first such convention center in the U. S. and the largest "green" building in the world. On February 12, 2002, less than two weeks before the scheduled opening of the new center, a 165 ton truss that was under construction collapsed, killing one and injuring two workers. The truss was part of the second phase of construction, scheduled for opening in 2003, and did not delay the February 23 opening of phase one. On February 5, 2007, a section of concrete floor from the second floor loading dock collapsed under the weight of a tractor trailer and fell onto the water feature area below. There were no injuries. The building remained closed until investigations by the contractors were completed on March 9, the fault was repaired, and the convention center reopened.

June 8, 1977: Groundbreaking at 10th Street and Ft. Duquesne Way.

February 7, 1981: Ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor Richard Caliguiri, County Commissioner Tom Foerster and Gov. Dick Thornburgh as the nine day Premier Expo kicks off free to the public, with exhibits from the consulates of China, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. HJ Heinz and Westinghouse bringing two interactive talking robots to their displays and US Steel and Alcoa hosting large exhibits. October 8–11, 1982: The Pittsburgh Steelers open team archives and memorabilia to public display as part of the "50 Seasons of Celebration". October 9, 1982: Howard Cosell hosts the "50 Seasons Celebration Dinner" for the Pittsburgh Steelers as 2,500 attend with Supreme Court Justice White, Pete Rozelle, Art Rooney and Count Basie and his orchestra providing entertainment as WPXI and WTAE provide live coverage. June 24–29, 1983: United Church of Christ national convention. December 2, 1983: Gulf Oil Corporation holds its annual shareholders meeting with raider T. Boone Pickens speaking. April 5–6, 1984: Democratic Party National Primary Debate with Walter Mondale, Jesse Jackson and Gary Hart speaking on both days. June 1985: InventHelp organizes the first INPEX (Invention and New Product Exposition), the world's largest invention trade show. July 13, 1986: Peter Popoff conducts a ministry as protesters spread pamphlets outside. June 26–30, 1987: American Baptists National Convention. March 2–5, 1988: Remaking Cities Conference with the Prince of Wales as featured speaker on the last two days. October 27, 1988: George H. W. Bush Michael Dukakis presidential debate (cancelled). March 15, 1989: A 134 seat film theater is completed as an annex to the center.

The Convention Center is served by exits on Interstate 579, Interstate 279 and Interstate 376 as well as its location within five blocks of both the Wood Street and Penn Station transit stops on the Pittsburgh subway system. Penn Station also serves Amtrak, providing regular direct inter city rail links. Both the Megabus intercity service and the local Port Authority of Allegheny County buses also stop at the center.

Three Rivers, the CBS medical drama, used the convention center for some scenes depicting the hospital. Justified, the FX Network drama, used the center for interior shots of the "airport". Smith, a CBS crime drama that showcases the convention center's interior waterway during Ray Liotta's and Amy Smart's escape chase scene with the Pittsburgh Police. The exterior riverside of the center is shown prominently as the gang transfers to a speed boat on the Allegheny River. The Colbert Report 2012 from the National Rifle Association convention held at the center. The Rachel Maddow Show 2011 with Meghan McCain and Ricky Burgess.