BRIEF: Convention Center opens Grand Hall

The Pennsylvania Convention Center opened its Grand Hall -- the restored Reading Terminal Train Shed --ESaturday night at a $250 a plate gala banquet. Shortly after, Casey, Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, Congressman Lucien Blackwell and about fifteen other local dignitaries cut the ribbon and officially opened what is being called the "wow" effect of the Center. The shed was considered an engineering marvel, along the lines of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, when it opened in 1893. It is 256 feet wide and 560 feet long and has no interior supports. Philadelphia City Councilman Joseph Vignola -- whose district includes the Center -- said convention centers are generally functional boxes. He added, though, that the restored train shed will establish Philadelphia's Convention Center as one of the most premier locations for conventions and trade shows. The shed also houses the largest ballroom in Pennsylvania, with a seating capacity of 2,500 people. Philadelphia's Center is now the second largest on the East Coast and has already booked many conventions which will draw up to 25,000 visitors to the city. The last piece of the center complex will be completed this year, when the 2,000 room Marriott Hotel opens at 12th and Market streets. It will be connected to the Center via a sky-bridge. And the city is currently in negotiations to restore the Reading Terminal Headhouse on Market Street and to add another large hotel in the area – possibly a Hyatt. -- Gregory Montanaro