The convention center in downtown South Bend is getting a bit of an overhaul. The Century Center that opened in 1977 is undergoing about $800,000 in improvements this summer funded by the St. Joseph County hotel tax. Workers have removed the carpeting from the 24,000-square-foot main convention hall in favor of stained concrete floor. Century Center manager Leanna Belew tells the South Bend Tribune that makes the hall more conducive to conventions and trade shows. Other work planned includes replacing carpet in 15 suites, repairing elevators and resurfacing part of the parking lot. Officials say the county hotel tax generated about $3.6 million for tourism projects last year, up from $2.9 million in 2012.
