The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Authority."An agency and public instrumentality of the Commonwealth and a body politic and corporate created under this subchapter.
"Board."The governing body of an authority.
"Bonds."Notes, bonds, refunding notes and bonds, interim certificates, debentures and other evidence of indebtedness or obligations which the authority may issue.
"Construct."The acquisition, design, erection, extension, renovation, rehabilitation, conversion, furnishing, fixturing, equipping, enlargement or substantial repair of a convention center or part of a convention center and activities substantially related to the acquisition, design, erection, extension, renovation, rehabilitation, conversion, furnishing, fixturing, equipping, enlargement or substantial repair of a convention center or part of a convention center.
"Convention center."The following:
(1) Any land, improvement, structure or building or property interest, whether owned or acquired by or leased by or to an authority, appropriate for any of the following:
(i) Large public assemblies.
(ii) Holding of conventions, conferences, trade exhibitions and other business.
(iii) Social, cultural, scientific, sports, recreational, artistic and public interest events.
(iv) Performances and exhibitions.
(2) Facilities, furniture, fixtures and equipment necessary or incident to an item listed under paragraph (1), including, but not limited to:
(i) hotels, including meeting rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, ballrooms, reception areas, registration and prefunction areas, locker rooms, practice areas and equipment, training areas and equipment and truck loading areas, including access to the truck loading areas;
(ii) accessways, including tunnels, overhead walkways, escalators, elevators and other connections to nearby or adjoining buildings or facilities, regardless of whether the buildings or facilities constitute convention center facilities or are owned or controlled by the authority;
(iii) common areas, lobbies, offices and areas appurtenant to any of the items listed under this paragraph; and
(iv) other land, buildings, structures or facilities for use or planned for use in conjunction with the items listed under this paragraph, including, but not limited to, landscaping, buffer areas, off-street parking, retail areas and other improvements related to a convention center facility owned by or leased by or to an authority, regardless of whether the improvements are for the purpose of producing revenues to assist in defraying the costs or expenses of the convention center facility.
"Cost of a project."The following:
(1) All or any part of the cost of construction, acquisition, alteration, enlargement, furnishing, fixturing and equipping, reconstruction and rehabilitation of a convention center project.
(2) An item listed under paragraph (1) shall include the cost of:
(i) all lands, structures, real or personal property, rights, rights-of-way, roads, franchises, easements and interests acquired or used for or in connection with a project;
(ii) demolishing or removing buildings or structures on land acquired, including the cost of acquiring lands to which the buildings or structures may be moved or located;
(iii) all utility lines;
(iv) structures or equipment;
(v) charges and interest prior to, during and after completion of construction and acquisition;
(vi) provisions for reserves for principal and interest and for extensions, enlargements, additions and improvements;
(vii) architectural, engineering, financial and legal services;
(viii) plans, specifications, studies, surveys, estimates of cost and revenues;
(ix) expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of constructing the project;
(x) other capital cost or expense as may be necessary or incident to the construction, development and acquisition of the project; and
(xi) the financing of construction, development and acquisition and the placing of the project in operation, including, without limitation, a proper allowance for contingencies and the provision of reasonable initial working capital for operating the project.
"County."A county of the third class or a county which was a county of the third class at the time the county took action to create an authority under this subchapter.
"Obligee."A bondholder or a trustee for a bondholder party to a contract with the authority.
"Political subdivision."A governmental body other than a State public body or a Federal agency. The term includes a county, city, borough, township, school district, municipal authority, transit authority, parking authority or other authority of any type.
"Project."A site, building, structure, equipment, furnishing and other facilities or undertaking in respect of a convention center facility which the authority may acquire, construct, improve, install, maintain or operate under the provisions of this subchapter.
"State public body."The Commonwealth and its executive, administrative and independent agencies, departments, officers, boards, authorities, commissions and instrumentalities.
"Substantial completion."Construction that is sufficiently completed in accordance with contract documents and certified by the convention center authority's architect or engineer, as modified by change orders so that any project being constructed by the convention center authority can be used, occupied or operated for its intended use. In no event shall a project be certified as substantially complete until at least 90% of the work on the project area is completed.