SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City officials have approved nearly $15 million for a new center featuring 80,000 feet of exposition space that they hope will attract events such as trade show and youth sports tournaments. The Sioux City Journal reports that the City Council awarded the contract to L&L Builders on Monday for the Siouxland Expo Center project. The contract bid was over $2 million higher than initial projections.

The multi-functional venue will be constructed on a plot of land near Interstate 29 and the Floyd River channel. The Expo Center is part of the downtown Sioux City Reinvestment District , which includes three other projects that developers say could generate a total $13.5 million in hotel and sales taxes. The facility is expected to start hosting events in 2020.