The Lexington Center Corporation board has unanimously endorsed a plan to expand and replace the center – which has been the target of proposed renovations for decades.
The new phased-in layout would grow exhibit hall, ballroom, and meeting spaces and repurpose ground level retail operations. With the current exhibit hall blocked in by Rupp Arena, the proposal would call for a new facility adjacent to the arena.
Lexington Center president Bill Owen says the proposal would part ways from the more ambitious plans associated with the Rupp Arena Arts & Entertainment District put forward in 2013, but still leave room for future expansion of the arena should the city elect to resurrect those designs down the road.
"If decisions were made to do something beyond the technology upgrades for Rupp, that's still possible and would not impact this project," he says.
A $15 million technology upgrade is already underway at the arena.
To pay for the expansion, the LCC board and VisitLex plan to request a 2 percent increase in Fayette County’s Hotel and Occupancy tax and a $75 million dollar grant – likely a tough sell in a tight budget cycle with a new Republican governor at the helm.
Owen says he believes a compelling case can be made for funding the improvements.
"Total economic output from meetings at Lexington center is $42 million annually. If we expand and adopt the recommendations, that grows according to our consultant to $57 million annually," Owen notes.
If approved, construction would be set for early 2017.
