Several key projects have been set in motion — including a design change — as the city targets 2015 for the completion of its ambitious $700 million convention center expansion that would make it the largest on the West Coast. A mayor’s citizen task force has worked on a funding plan, there have been public awareness workshops and Port District commissioners will begin an environmental impact study. The Port also extended the lease to 2024. Mayor Jerry Sanders said unlike the Chargers stadium, he does not plan to ask for voter approval, as long as tax increases and general funds are not involved. Funding ideas have included downtown business assessments, taxi and rental car surcharges, and redevelopment property tax receipts. As much as $53 million in annual bond payments was earlier projected to cover the original budget for the expansion and addition of a second pedestrian bridge to the Gaslamp Quarter. The task force estimates the expansion can generate $698 million of economic activity annually in addition to the $1.3 billion a year already generated. Since its opening in 1989, the center has generated more than $1.7 billion by hosting more than 4,000 events. Denver architect Curtis Fentress, whose company was selected Nov. 9 for the project, said the design would make San Diego’s expanded 750,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a third bigger than the present configuration. Originally estimated to cost $710 million, the project is expected to be less expensive by locating loading docks and expanded exhibit space on the same ground level. A wake-up call came from reports a few months ago that the tremendously successful Comic-Con was being lured by the Anaheim Convention Center. Instead, Comic-Con signed a new contract through 2015, the anticipated expansion completion year. “Funding in the mayor’s office is taking the lead on the financing,” said Gary Show, the center’s community relations director. “We’re waiting on the cost estimate from the new designer that will come in the spring.” Shaw said the trickle-down effect will benefit tourism, the Gaslamp Quarter and hotels as well as generate 7,000 new permanent direct or indirect jobs throughout the region, not including construction. “Right now, 12,500 jobs in San Diego County depend on the Convention Center.” he said. “The expansion will allow the center to host larger meetings, recapture business that it has already outgrown and allow it to host multiple concurrent events at the same time. With the expansion, we’ll remain at the top of our game into the next 15 to 20 years.” The Port will begin a selection process for a consultant to conduct an environmental impact report, which could take 12 to 18 months to complete. A consultant is expected to be selected this month. In addition to the impact report, the project will require an amendment to the Port’s master plan regarding land use changes prompted by the expansion and a proposed hotel project. The amendment and impact report must be approved by the California Coastal Commission. Port staff anticipates going before the commission for approval in the winter of 2012. The public was advised of the initial design concepts at a workshop and listened to center president Carol Wallace and project manager Charles Black. “Public input has been an important part of this project and has helped lead to a design we believe directly addresses the desires of the public in enhancing access to the waterfront, improving public parks and open space, and activating the waterfront,” Wallace said in an e-mailed invitation to a November workshop.