December 16, 2009 > Milpitas Conference Center Milpitas Conference Center By Dustin Findley Mayor Robert Livengood met with local hotel managers earlier this year to discuss how the City of Milpitas could assist during this economic downturn. Hotels in Milpitas do not have capacity for groups of over 300 people to meet and as a consequence, "we lose a lot of business to San Jose and Santa Clara," explained Economic Development Manager Diana Barnhart. Two vacant buildings on Alder Drive have good freeway visibility and easy access. These could house a conference center for Milpitas. The City has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for architectural services to redesign the existing facility for use as a conference center in Milpitas. Each architectural candidate will be interviewed by the Economic Development Subcommittee which will make a recommendation to the City Council in January. The successful candidate will outline a building program, cost estimate and conceptual design. Milpitas will then work with hotel administrative personnel to securing funding sources for operations and maintenance. These will likely include an increased transient occupancy tax (TOT) and additional room charges. The conference and meeting center envisioned will utilize the most up-to-date technology and an exterior connection between the two buildings as well as full food service. The City desires a facility that is flexible and adaptive to new, "green" technology.