CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, Appalachian Power Park, a new main library and an improved riverfront have dominated headlines over the past decade as improvements or proposed ideas to enhance the atmosphere of Charleston.

According to Charleston City Council members, the next big thing for the city might be a convention center.

"The civic center serves a different audience," one city councilman told WSAZ.com. "It's for local people to go to concerts, but a convention center would bring out of towners to the city."

WSAZ Charleston just wrapped up its exclusive survey where 24 of the 27 city council members were asked several questions, including one about development in Charleston.

By far, a convention center topped the list. Eight council members told WSAZ.com they hope the city opens a convention center in the near future. Six others mentioned it as their second choice for development in the city.

Convention Center vs. Civic Center

The city of Charleston has its share of local landmarks. The Charleston Civic Center opened in 1959. The city also has a 70-year-old Municipal Auditorium.

"The city needs a convention center," said one city councilman. "It will bring convention business, more money to the city and get more people spending money at hotels and restaurants."

Space is one of the big issues with the project.

"We need to update and expand the civic center to draw more regional conventions, but we need additional property to do that, such as the Beni Kedem and Fifth Quarter properties," one councilman said. "We need to expand it to be a full convention center with smaller rooms."

Back in 2008, the city offered the Shriners at Beni Kedem more than $6 million for its property, but the group didn't want to sell. At the time, the mayor said the city didn't want to enforce the power of eminent domain.

City leaders also tried to cash in on a new hotel that was being built on Lee Street. The city wanted to sell the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department property for $3 million, but the department didn't move fast enough and the developers backed out.

"We wanted to coordinate with that hotel, but the developers backed out," David Molgaard, City Manager said.

Since then, the city has considered other options, including the possibility of building a brand new convention center around the Municipal Auditorium on Virginia Street. The city reports the biggest hurdle is funding.

John Robertson, the director of the Charleston Civic Center, tells WSAZ.com renovating the arena has been discussed for several months, but until there's secured funding the city can't really move forward.

In 2007, the city hired a consultant to conduct a study to see if the civic center should be expanded and how it should be marketed once it has more space.

That study found Charleston would be more likely to attract more regional events than national, but it had to renovate its dated facilities.

"The layout of the facility was pieced together in three phases so logistically our civic center staff has done a great job working with what they have, but if we're going to attract more conventions we have to update our facility, especially in the food area," Molgaard said. "We need a ballroom that's 18,000-20,000 square feet and an additional 5,000 square feet of meeting space to attract and retain more conventions that suit our market."

Most cities have a civic center and convention center that serve different audiences, but Charleston hopes to renovate and expand its current facility, Molgaard said.

So far, at least one architect has looked at the project to see what can be done with the current facility. This was at no cost to the city. Another architect has also expressed interest in doing a similar analysis.

Molgaard tells WSAZ.com the city continues to look at its options and evaluate what might be best, but no official plans have been made on the civic center expansion project.

Riverfront Development a More Imminent Project

Charleston's riverfront is another key component in marketing the city, according to the council members who participated in the survey.

Next month, dirt will start flying at Haddad Riverfront Park when construction starts on a new permanent stage and canopy, but the majority of council hopes the work doesn't stop there.

At least a fourth of the current council wants to see Kanawha Boulevard condensed to two or three lanes so that the riverfront can develop into a more attractive area.

"It needs to set Charleston apart from all the others by offering a unique setting," one councilman said.

"The expansion needs to make it more user friendly," another councilman pointed out. "It has a good location, but it's not a comfortable facility and it needs to be more inviting."

Some members hope to see the riverfront used for more recreation purposes.

"It needs to be a gathering place where people can come down and visit," said one councilman. "It should be a place of excitement with lots of boats, concerts and other activities."

Many of the council members believe it will be a long process, but one the city can't take for granted.

"Magic Island is a key component in the development," according to one councilman. "The island needs to be raised to allow better access to the water."

Some council members not only want to reduce the amount of traffic, but lower the speed limit. Some believe that's the only way you can make it more pedestrian friendly.

"I hope there are more citizens in the city that desire to see improvements because it will create jobs, B&O revenue and possibly some condos around the riverfront," said one councilman.

One council member would even like to see a mariner's museum and more green space added to the riverfront.

Library Remains an Important Project

Building a new library in Kanawha County is also a key factor in the city's success, according to some city council members.

Right now, a fundraising campaign is underway to build a new facility at the corner of Lee Street and Leon Sullivan Way.

"It will be a wonderful new facility on Lee Street, one that provides important resources to every citizen in the valley," one council member said.

The library is expected to cost about $50 million. That is not a city project, but one that is being funded through the public library system.

Survey Details

WSAZ Charleston surveyed 24 of the current 27 council members. We tried to encourage a candid discussion, by allowing members to speak off the record. Despite repeated attempts to reach them by phone and one visit to each at a council meeting, Adam Knauff, Patrick Jones and Bob White were the only council members to refuse our requests.

Tuesday, WSAZ Charleston will survey council members on how safe they feel on some of the city's most notorious streets.

Wednesday, we'll hear from council members on the biggest issues facing the city of Charleston.

Thursday, council weighs in on how they feel they're doing and how Mayor Danny Jones is doing in office. We'll ask them if any would consider challenging Jones for the city's top job.