Plans underway to build replacement arena for Rupp in downtown Lexington

Sources are reporting that Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry will soon be announcing a request for proposals (RFP) for a new, downtown arena. The RFP will ask for arena seating of at least 24K, but possibly as high as 27-30K. Insiders say that the High Street parking lot is the leading location for the new arena, but other downtown locations will be evaluated.

Not to be outdone by Louisville's new downtown arena, Newberry is setting 2015 as the date for the project's completion, with construction to begin in 3-4 years. Rupp's future under the proposal is to serve as increased convention space and conversion into a 6,000 seat concert hall.

UPDATE: Calling it an opportunity to "explore extensive downtown redevelopment," Mayor Newberry's office has issued a press release about his plans to create a tax increment financing district (TIF). Key quote: "We need to consider the possibility of a new basketball arena," says Newberry.

UPDATE #2: The Lexington Herald-Leader has a story confirming the details you read here first.

Comments

[david]

This is way overdue! To compete with other schools, UK needs a new state of the art facility to go along with the new practice facility. AND PUT THE STUDENTS ON THE FLOOR!!!!!!!!!!

[James]

Great idea!!

The university needs to get behind this lock, stock, and barrel. Considering how many dollars the basketball program already contributes to non-athletic scholarships, an extra 4-6 thousand seats would generate much more revenue, which could, in turn, be used to keep talented students in-state and lure talented out-of-state students here.

This could indirectly be a huge part of UK's top20- goal!

This type of thinking is really something that frosts my flakes.

I watched as they tore down a perfectly good and very functional and structurally sound Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati and then screwed the taxpayers of Hamilton County to build two new stadiums when the one they had was perfectly fine.

Now I'm watching the governor, whom I admire very much, like personally, and will be voting for next month for re-election, spend millions of tax dollars for a downtown arena in Louisville, abandoning a perfectly good Freedom Hall.

And now we're going to "white elephant" Rupp Arena after only 30 years? This is the height of stupidity.

Pricktino couldn't get a new arena built when he was at the top of his popularity in Lexington, why does anyone think there will be a groundswell of support for this?

If ol' Newbie wants to spend that much money in Lexington, then let them do something about that abortion of a road they call Man O'War Boulevard.

This is why we have this rift which has developed between Louisville and the rest of the state. Louisville (either the city or university) can't ever have anything better than Lexington or UK has.

The downtown arena in Louisville is very much needed, Freedom Hall is a dump and having it at the fairgrounds is a waste because there can be no spin off growth around it.

We all should have known that it was only a matter of time before UK and Lexington couldn't stand it any longer and have to build something bigger and newer for themselves.

Now I'll admit it, I don't like Rupp, it's nothing but a huge warehouse, but they just renovated it and the mall area is nice. From Rupparena.com: "With a $50 million renovation of both the arena and the adjacent Lexington Convention Center this multi-use entertainment, convention, and shopping complex has been transformed to meet the demands of the most discerning presenter. "

Louisville's downtown arena is a matter or economic development for the state and city. A new Lexington arena is a waste, there is no need to build a new one right next to the old one just because Louisville has one that is being built. Rivalries like this is what holds our state back

And believe me, I love sports and have no problem with tax money being used for stadiums and arenas, but to do this just because Louisville is doing it, is ludicrous!

[Patrice]

Hey. I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. Help me! I can not find sites on the: Prometrium dosage. I found only this - Prometrium vaginally pregnancy. Lbs body fat symptoms precautionary prometrium mg was. Find out all about brown discharge early in pregnancy after starting prometrium, including the most common causes and treatments from leading medical. With love :mad:, Patrice from Barbuda.