Designs for Oklahoma City's new convention center won the city council's approval on Tuesday, clearing the way for construction to begin as soon as June and for the building to open in mid 2020.

Financed by the MAPS 3 sales tax approved by voters in 2009, the convention center has been in the hands of the Kansas City-based team from the Populous architecture and design firm for two years.

Fronting along two blocks of S Robinson Avenue south of Chesapeake Energy Arena, the convention center will be defined by fields of west-facing glass looking out on the new downtown park and an upswept roof over the third-level ballroom and balcony.

Architect Adam Paulitsch said last week that interest in Oklahoma City's new convention center was building as the city moved closer to beginning construction in downtown's blighted southern fringe.