Arcadis Secures Dual LA Contracts for Urban and Eco Transformation

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 06, 2026 – Global engineering and design firm Arcadis has solidified its role as a key player in Los Angeles's future, securing two major contracts worth a combined total of over $18 million. The projects will see the company manage critical aspects of the ambitious $2.5 billion Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) modernization while also spearheading vital components of the city's long-term Clean Water Program.

The dual wins place Arcadis at the intersection of two of the city's most pressing priorities: bolstering its economic engine through tourism and major events, and building environmental resilience against climate change and water scarcity. The contracts underscore a significant strategic victory for the firm, showcasing its diverse expertise in both large-scale built assets and complex environmental infrastructure.

Revitalizing Downtown: The LACC's Ambitious Overhaul

At the heart of the announcement is Arcadis's $11 million contract to provide project and construction management support for the monumental LACC Modernization and Expansion. This phased, design-build initiative is designed to elevate the LACC into one of the nation's premier event destinations. The centerpiece of the project is a new 190,000-square-foot exhibit hall built as a connector bridge over Pico Boulevard, uniting the South and West Halls to create a single, contiguous event space of over 750,000 square feet.

The expansion will also add 55,000 square feet of new meeting rooms and 95,000 square feet of external event space, including a rooftop ballroom. The project is a massive undertaking, involving a development consortium led by Plenary Americas and AEG, with construction managed by a PCL Construction and Webcor joint venture. Arcadis will provide crucial on-site management support to the city's Bureau of Engineering, navigating the complex logistics of the build.

Projections for the project are robust, with officials anticipating the creation of over 15,000 construction jobs and more than 2,000 new permanent jobs annually upon completion. The expanded facility is expected to generate millions in local revenue and attract hundreds of thousands of new visitors each year.

"These wins reflect Arcadis's commitment to transforming Los Angeles's infrastructure and environment," said Macaria Flores, Los Angeles City Executive for Arcadis, in a statement. "Being part of the expansion and renovation of the Los Angeles Convention Center is one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects... the team has already hit the ground running--working hard to deliver this iconic project for the City of LA, visitors, and Angelenos."

Balancing Ambition with Fiscal Reality

The LACC expansion is being driven by a formidable deadline: the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, where the center is slated to host several events. This has placed the project on an aggressive timeline, with construction already underway and a full closure of a major section of Pico Boulevard scheduled through March 2028 to facilitate construction of the connector bridge.

While the project enjoys broad support from business leaders and labor unions for its economic potential, it is not without its challenges and critics. The more than $2.5 billion price tag is a significant public investment funded by the City's General Fund through Municipal Improvement Corporation of Los Angeles (MICLA) debt. City financial analysts have warned of the substantial long-term costs, which include an average of $89 million per year in operating costs and debt service over 30 years.

These financial commitments have led some city officials to express caution, with concerns being raised in city council meetings about the project's ambitious timeline and fiscal impact. Critics question whether the city can afford the massive undertaking and whether the projected increase in convention business will materialize, given national trends. The successful delivery of the project on time and on budget, a key area of Arcadis's management responsibility, will be critical to mitigating these financial risks for the city.

Building a Resilient Water Future

In a move that highlights its environmental engineering prowess, Arcadis also secured a $7.5 million, five-year contract to support the Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering's Clean Water Program. This contract leverages the company's deep experience in the region, building on a 15-year history of managing the city's Proposition 'O' stormwater program.

The new contract encompasses three critical stormwater initiatives aimed at making Los Angeles more resilient to drought and flooding. The first, the Stormwater Capture Parks Program, will implement systems in nine San Fernando Valley parks to capture rainwater, using it to replenish groundwater supplies, reduce local flooding, and improve water quality.

The second initiative involves supporting the landmark Safe, Clean Water (SCW) Program, which is funded by Los Angeles County's Measure W. Passed by voters in 2018, Measure W imposes a parcel tax that generates roughly $300 million annually for projects that capture, clean, and conserve stormwater. Arcadis will support over 120 projects under this program, including marquee efforts like the Hollenbeck Park Lake Rehabilitation. Finally, the firm will provide expertise for the National Flood Insurance Program, helping the city manage floodplain standards and mitigate flood risk.

"We leveraged 15 years of experience... to secure our continued participation in County of Los Angeles Measure 'W' Safe Clean Water funded projects," stated Hector Arias, Stormwater Program Lead at Arcadis. He noted that Measure W funding "will provide up to $100 million per year, enabling the City's stormwater program to thrive for the foreseeable future," adding, "We are proud to play a key role in building a more sustainable, resilient, future for the city and improving quality of life for all."

A Strategic Foothold in a Competitive Market

These dual contracts represent a significant strategic achievement for Arcadis, deepening its roots in the highly competitive Southern California infrastructure market. The firm is vying for major public works projects against global giants like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP. Securing lead roles on two of the city's flagship initiatives simultaneously—one focused on economic development and the other on environmental sustainability—cements its position as a versatile and trusted partner for the City of Los Angeles.

The LACC and Clean Water projects perfectly align with Arcadis's global brand, which emphasizes delivering "data-driven sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets." By managing the construction of a major urban landmark while simultaneously engineering solutions for the city's water challenges, the company is demonstrating its capacity to tackle the multifaceted nature of modern urban development. This integrated approach, addressing both economic growth and climate resilience, is becoming increasingly vital for major metropolitan areas around the world, positioning Arcadis to leverage these Los Angeles successes in other key markets. The projects not only promise to reshape parts of the Los Angeles landscape but also fortify the firm's reputation as a leader in building the cities of tomorrow.