[1] Lynnwood, historically a bedroom community of Seattle and nearby Everett, began pursuing a convention center and performing arts venue in the late 1960s.

[2] Boosters from the Edmonds Community College attempted to lure a state-sponsored "festival center" in 1977, but failed to garner support over a site near Federal Way.

[2][5][6] In the November 1982 election, voters in south Snohomish County (including Lynnwood and nearby cities) rejected the formation of a special district to develop the arts-and-convention center, and also repealed a local sales tax, planned to be used to fund its construction.

[16] The final design for the convention center, with 55,000 square feet (5,100 m2) of total meeting space, was unveiled to the public in November 2002.

[21][22] After completion of the convention center, the Lynnwood Public Facilities District attempted to build a 200-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel on an adjacent property.

[23] The proposed hotel was scrapped in 2008 after the main developer withdrew from negotiations, citing the then-ongoing financial crisis; by then, the convention center had an annual attendance of 82,000 people.