Beginning in 2009, the Indiana Convention Center will undergo an expansion that will grow the convention center from 403,000 to 745,000 square feet of exhibit space, including 179,000 square feet in the new Lucas Oil Stadium.

The expansion is scheduled to be completed Fall 2010.

The expansion will raise Indianapolis from 33rd to 16th (some sources cite 32nd and 17th) place among America’s major convention cities in meeting space available – and second only to Atlanta among its customary 13 peer cities.

The Indiana Convention Center expansion will sit on the RCA Dome footprint. The RCA Dome closed in April 2008 and has been demolished.

Ratio Architects is the lead firm for the project, assisted by BSA LifeStructures, Blackburn Architects, and Domain Architects. All four are headquartered in Indianapolis.

Monthly construction updates in Microsoft Word format can be found here (http://www.in.gov/iscba/2358.htm).

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Excellent! Thanks Ablerock for starting this! Its a huge project. I believe the expenditure for the Convention Center portion of the Lucas Oil Stadium / Conv. Center Project is about $250 - $275 million. With the L.O.S. at about $650 million, it was a little over $900 million for the combined project. (And with the connection to the Marriott projects immediately NW of the Convention Center -- its about $1.4 billion worth of connected work in that SW corner of downtown!!

Excellent! Thanks Ablerock for starting this! Its a huge project. I believe the expenditure for the Convention Center portion of the Lucas Oil Stadium / Conv. Center Project is about $250 - $275 million. With the L.O.S. at about $650 million, it was a little over $900 million for the combined project. (And with the connection to the Marriott projects immediately NW of the Convention Center -- its about $1.4 billion worth of connected work in that SW corner of downtown!!

Wow. Thanks for the financial perspective!

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail extension will also add another 5 million or so. It's a drop in the bucket, comparatively speaking, but still worth adding.

From in.gov (http://www.in.gov/iscba/2359.htm):

Combined with Lucas Oil Stadium, the [Convention Center Expansion is] expected to generate $2.25 billion in economic benefits over 10 years and create about 4,200 new permanent jobs. The combined projects also are expected to generate about $26 million in new tax revenues over the same period.

They're down to the final, SE corner as they are removing the remnants of the RCA Dome. Probably only a few days left to see any more pieces of the old structure. Foundations for the new expansion are being poured in the NW part of the site.

On another note - I was amazed to hear yesterday that the Convention Center landed a very large future convention - The American Library Association. Its supposed to bring about 20,000 people over five days. The amazing thing to me though was that it was for the year 2021! Amazing that they are scheduling these things that far in advance. Bizarre.

I know some may have issues with the design, architecture, or layout of a lot of these high-profile projects, but the fact that Indy has such an influx of construction work going on right now ($1.4B in a just couple blocks!) simply amazes me. Given what the economy has been through lately, I think we really are fortunate to have everything going on in this town that we do.

And although roughly 2/3 of money for the "Lucas Oil/Conv. Center" joint project went to the stadium, and the CC only got allocated 1/3 of it...I've always felt the convention center was the more important of the two projects. Sure, not as much glitz'n'glam or TV coverage at the stadium, but it will provide a more consistent lifeblood. Probably could just flip those cost ratios as far as "economic value" to the city goes: 1/3 Lucas Oil and 2/3 CC.

GarfieldPark: I too heard about the ALA convention the other day. I agree, 2021 is far away and seems like a really long lead-in time for a booking. But now that we're gonna be changing the level of our game and going after these large conventions that we previously weren't able to handle, I think we're gonna see this more and more. I look forward to seeing what else they start booking in the new space.

According to the rendering, Capitol avenue will look very different in terms of street level, although it appears as if it has lost some of its overpowering canyonlike appearance, and has been replaced by the feeling of lowrise structures. It still looks nice though. I didn't realize how vast the convention center area was going to be until seeing the plans.

I feel that the length of this thing will compensate for the canyon loss. It does seem like a high school, but I do kinda like the surfboard look more. Glad that it is new construction however. It will do. Not an overwhelming design, but nice.

The design is adequate but I just wish they would nix that awning/platform at the top there. It looks so out of place.

The design is adequate but I just wish they would nix that awning/platform at the top there. It looks so out of place.

I really have not liked it, but have grown to like it for my sake, because it is something different. No, I would not have it if I were to design it, however, if this is going to be the"eyecatch", then go ahead with it. The color does not appear as light green as before, so I like it somewhat more. Anyone that knows my thoughts knows I am not anywhere near a fan of this firm nor another that does downtown projects, so if this is what they are presenting, then ok... I still have beliefs in the future that the architecture in Indy will dramatically improve, so for the time being...

That awning does look a bit awkward. Looks like the glass entry cube does not go all the way up to it; so is it cantilevered from the building behind? Geez, that's huge.

Seems they're going to have a nice, huge, flat canvas as a roof that would be perfect for future vertical expansions. Do we know if this building is designed with a structure that can be added to vertically if needed? For that matter, that huge, flat roof would be a great green roof...kinda like a small city park, albeit ~40' in the air.

Are there any LEED (or at least "green") opportunities on this one?

That awning does look a bit awkward. Looks like the glass entry cube does not go all the way up to it; so is it cantilevered from the building behind? Geez, that's huge.

Seems they're going to have a nice, huge, flat canvas as a roof that would be perfect for future vertical expansions. Do we know if this building is designed with a structure that can be added to vertically if needed? For that matter, that huge, flat roof would be a great green roof...kinda like a small city park, albeit ~40' in the air.

Are there any LEED (or at least "green") opportunities on this one?

An elevated Green Roof Park with five or six towers sticking up out of it... for hotel purposes and residential would be nice. (Vertical convention space isn't practical for loading/unloading purposes.) They should have built a hotel tower directly attached to the convention center. They could have made a hotel open up onto a green roof with amentities such as a pool on the roofdeck. Does anyone know if the JW has a pool in the plans?

I don't care for the design.
However, I'm glad this is coming to our city, it will really help downtown.
I wish the design followed the LOS a little more.

I wish the design followed the LOS a little more.

I wish the complete opposite. :-)

I wish the complete opposite. :-)

To each his/her own.
Anyway, I find this design very bland.
There is nothing interesting about it.
At least it isn't LA's Music can.

Take away the awning things and this looks straight out of the 70's.

Anyway, I find this design very bland.


And Lucas Oil Stadium is inspired?

I agree that the design of the Convention Center isn't exactly cutting edge, but the last thing we'd want to do is take any cues from the cluster-f*ck of a design that is Lucas Oil Stadium. That would be a step down, not an improvement.

Lucas Oil Stadium looks like the bastard child of a giant strip mall, the steam plant downtown, Conseco Fieldhouse, The Colosseum, a barn, and an airplane hanger. It's positively schizophrenic, large, and oh-so ugly. Nothing in this city should ever take any design cues from Lucas Oil Stadium. Nothing.

Just sayin'. :-)

And Lucas Oil Stadium is inspired?

I agree that the design of the Convention Center isn't exactly cutting edge, but the last thing we'd want to do is take any cues from the cluster-f*ck of a design that is Lucas Oil Stadium. That would be a step down, not an improvement.

Lucas Oil Stadium looks like the bastard child of a giant strip mall, the steam plant downtown, Conseco Fieldhouse, The Colosseum, a barn, and an airplane hanger. It's positively schizophrenic, large, and oh-so ugly. Nothing in this city should ever take any design cues from Lucas Oil Stadium. Nothing.

Just sayin'. :-)

Oopsy doodles! :-o :nono:
I forgot classic design was evil and bad! God forbid we build anything that has any ornamentation or classical shape.
Classic= Hitler.
Let me guess? You would rather have something like the Beijing bird's nest? Right? That stadium that looks like a child got carried away with Daddy's paper clips and glue. :weird:
It could be anywhere, nothing screams Beijing about it.
The LOS isn't a perfect design, but at the very least it will be a respectable structure in the future.
It uses brick and stone tastefully (though I think they could have used more stone) and is designed to mimic historic Indiana Basketball stadiums.
The LOS is a decent structure that will still be attractive fifty years from now (unlike the RCA dome).
I'd take this cluster f*ck over most new stadiums any day. ;)

Oopsy doodles! :-o :nono:
I forgot classic design was evil and bad! God forbid we build anything that has any ornamentation or classical shape.
Classic= Hitler.
Let me guess? You would rather have something like the Beijing bird's nest? Right? That stadium that looks like a child got carried away with Daddy's paper clips and glue. :weird:
It could be anywhere, nothing screams Beijing about it.
The LOS isn't a perfect design, but at the very least it will be a respectable structure in the future.
It uses brick and stone tastefully (though I think they could have used more stone) and is designed to mimic historic Indiana Basketball stadiums.
The LOS is a decent structure that will still be attractive fifty years from now (unlike the RCA dome).
I'd take this cluster f*ck over most new stadiums any day. ;)

I didn't say classic was bad. I love old buildings and art. I am particulary inspired by Art Nouveau. I love ornament. I would give anything to have every building from Indy, circa 1920, restored downtown via time machine.

LOS is just a shite design. It's the super-sized equivalent of the Subway they've proposed on Meridian:

http://propertylines.ibj.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/subway.JPG

LOS's "classical" elements are cookie-cutter and unrefined. Just slapping some arches on the bottom of a building doesn't make it good. Slathering little bricks all over a monstrous building doesn't make it timeless. If you want to see a classical stadium done well, look at the original Soldier Field, or the Colosseum for that matter. If you want to see a good homage to Indiana fieldhouses, look at Conseco Fieldhouse.

LOS is the bastard child of too many architectural precedents. It doesn't know what it wants to be and it doesn't do anything well, except loom.

Classical design is all about time-honed proportions and grace. The Colosseum, while massive, is still elegant and balanced. LOS is hulking, awkward, and crude.

You're also right about the Bird's nest. That building wouldn't be appropriate for Indy either. I really would've been fine with a classic, conservative, retro stadium, if it was done well. LOS is not an excellent building, no matter what era of architecture it was inspired by. There's good classical design and then there's just bad design, period.

The JW is at least going to be a model for going forward. Even if a design is old, like from the 20's, or modern but back a few years like the JW, it is still eye catching. Maybe the bitching that happened with the JW will carry on in the future, whatever is proposed. The convention center looks like a smalltown high school, I am not happy with it, but is new. Now-In the future the public needs to complain about designs to the people that might listen. It seemed to work for the JW, maybe it would have worked with this thing.

I didn't say classic was bad. I love old buildings and art. I am particulary inspired by Art Nouveau. I love ornament. I would give anything to have every building from Indy, circa 1920, restored downtown via time machine.

Oh, I see.
I thought you were attacking new structures in traditional styles.
I also like Art Nouveau, however, I'm sort of stuck on Greek Revival.
Personally, I would love to see a lot of our historic architecture restored but I wouldn't want the city to never change either.
I think the reason many residents have this feeling towards pre-WWII Indianapolis is because of the architecture.
Do you think the victorians really felt upset over the loss of Greek revival and federal houses?
I think that is why there is such power in historic preservation. Maybe people are not preserving this buildings because they are historic (not everything that is old, is historic) but are preserving them because they like ornate structures and most modern buildings cannot stand up in that department to historic styles.




LOS is just a shite design. It's the super-sized equivalent of the Subway they've proposed on Meridian:


LOS's "classical" elements are cookie-cutter and unrefined. Just slapping some arches on the bottom of a building doesn't make it good. Slathering little bricks all over a monstrous building doesn't make it timeless. If you want to see a classical stadium done well, look at the original Soldier Field, or the Colosseum for that matter. If you want to see a good homage to Indiana fieldhouses, look at Conseco Fieldhouse.

LOS is the bastard child of too many architectural precedents. It doesn't know what it wants to be and it doesn't do anything well, except loom.

Of course it is. I wish it was more like Soldier Field (without the space ship in the middle) but I still don't think it is that bad. Its design isn't that amazing and yes, in many ways it does look cheap and suburban however there are some lovely elements about the structure.
Still, this city could have done WAY better with a traditional style.
Oh come on, you don't love that cheap Subway?
You know, if you take a brick off you will find wooden boards. It is like they took it off a set or something.


Classical design is all about time-honed proportions and grace. The Colosseum, while massive, is still elegant and balanced. LOS is hulking, awkward, and crude.

You're also right about the Bird's nest. That building wouldn't be appropriate for Indy either. I really would've been fine with a classic, conservative, retro stadium, if it was done well. LOS is not an excellent building, no matter what era of architecture it was inspired by. There's good classical design and then there's just bad design, period.

I totally agree about classic architecture, that is why I love it and why I hope people will lose their fear of it.
I suppose the LOS could have been designed better, but I still think it is elegant in its own way. It really isn't that bad, it could have been worse.
However, I hope in the future, if this city decides to build in traditional styles (which, I hope they do) they actually go classic and take a few hints from Nashville.

That Subway is pretty bad, Ablerock.

As for Lucas Oil Stadium--it's not an abomination, but from a design standpoint it more or less is a failure. It tries too hard to define something that never really was there in the first place. Instead, it comes across as awkward, aggressive, tacky, and imposing. The thing is damn near 300' tall. The brick veneer panels don't match. Don't even get me started on the skew.

The convention center expansion is definitely a step forward and a welcome addition to our fair city, and even though its design isn't particularly awe inspiring it doesn't attempt to come across as something it's not, unlike LOS.

Oh, I see.
I thought you were attacking new structures in traditional styles.
I also like Art Nouveau, however, I'm sort of stuck on Greek Revival.
Personally, I would love to see a lot of our historic architecture restored but I wouldn't want the city to never change either.
I think the reason many residents have this feeling towards pre-WWII Indianapolis is because of the architecture.
Do you think the victorians really felt upset over the loss of Greek revival and federal houses?
I think that is why there is such power in historic preservation. Maybe people are not preserving this buildings because they are historic (not everything that is old, is historic) but are preserving them because they like ornate structures and most modern buildings cannot stand up in that department to historic styles.



Of course it is. I wish it was more like Soldier Field (without the space ship in the middle) but I still don't think it is that bad. Its design isn't that amazing and yes, in many ways it does look cheap and suburban however there are some lovely elements about the structure.
Still, this city could have done WAY better with a traditional style.
Oh come on, you don't love that cheap Subway?
You know, if you take a brick off you will find wooden boards. It is like they took it off a set or something.


I totally agree about classic architecture, that is why I love it and why I hope people will lose their fear of it.
I suppose the LOS could have been designed better, but I still think it is elegant in its own way. It really isn't that bad, it could have been worse.
However, I hope in the future, if this city decides to build in traditional styles (which, I hope they do) they actually go classic and take a few hints from Nashville.

Cool. :-) Thanks for not taking offense at my rant! It's not directed at you, but at years of bad design decisions in Indy. We started out so well, but lost our way in the 50's.

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Ok, LOS isn't quite as bad as the Subway, but they're definitely related.

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I don't think people fear classical design, I just think some people erroneously take sides. They believe that contemporary design and classical sensibilities can't coexist. I love design no matter what era it's from. Designers and Architects should be aware of all the aesthetic, historical, functional contexts of which the building/object they're designing will be part. They must be as aware as possible of which rules they're breaking, or following. That's all I ask. :-)

I traveled to London two years ago. It was awesome seeing all the old buildings. A lot of them are older than America! But, it even better seeing those buildings juxtaposed with the cutting-edge, world-class buildings and graphic design throughout the city.

Cool. :-) Thanks for not taking offense at my rant! It's not directed at you, but at years of bad design decisions in Indy. We started out so well, but lost our way in the 50's.

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No problem.
Yes, after years of fake 'traditional' designs and just plain cheap ones I understand your anger.


Ok, LOS isn't quite as bad as the Subway, but they're definitely related.

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I think it is a functional strong-designed structure.
However, it seems they just didn't give a lot of attention to the architecture.


I don't think people fear classical design, I just think some people erroneously take sides. They believe that contemporary design and classical sensibilities can't coexist. I love design no matter what era it's from. Designers and Architects should be aware of all the aesthetic, historical, functional contexts of which the building/object they're designing will be part. They must be as aware as possible of which rules they're breaking, or following. That's all I ask. :-)

I don't think the general public fears classical design. If anything, I think they like it, just look at suburban architecture.
That architecture is a poor attempt at people trying to build in traditional styles + being economical.
I also think that is why there is such a movement towards historic preservation.


I traveled to London two years ago. It was awesome seeing all the old buildings. A lot of them are older than America! But, it even better seeing those buildings juxtaposed with the cutting-edge, world-class buildings and graphic design throughout the city.

Yes, however I would love it if ornate architecture wasn't something that belonged only to the past.
Why must we reject it and leave it to historic architecture only? That is my question.
Why can't we have new cutting-edge ornate classical structures next to modern cutting-edge structures?
There seems to be so few new styles.

I took some photos of the JW Marriott construction today and also grabbed this shot of the small expansion on the NW corner of the Convention Center.

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Press Release

Indianapolis, Ind. -- The first steel beams arrived on site this month, and the structural steel erection phase of the Indiana Convention Center expansion project is now underway. Starting with the Georgia Street corridor, the downtown landscape is changing once again as the Convention Center expands into the space previously occupied by the RCA Dome.

Indianapolis-based Lenex Steel is fabricating the steel beams, columns, trusses, and stairs using 8,000 tons of steel to support the building’s framework. Fabrication work started last year in Lenex’s Terre Haute and Indianapolis plants. Weekly shipments of steel began to arrive at the site in mid-April and will continue through much of 2010.

“This project was in the planning phase for nearly a year, so the Lenex, Shiel-Sexton and Powers & Sons Construction teams are glad it is underway,” remarked Mike Berghoff, Lenex Steel President. “We are also pleased the work stayed in-state as Lenex was the only locally based fabricator to bid the project.”

When completed, the Indiana Convention Center will be the 17th largest facility in the United States. The expanded facility in conjunction with space at Lucas Oil Stadium will provide 745,000 of exhibit space and 131,000 square feet of meeting space. Topping off is expected to take place in 2010.

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/images/news/scenes/LenexSteelConventionCenter.jpg

Press Release

Indianapolis, Ind. -- The first steel beams arrived on site this month, and the structural steel erection phase of the Indiana Convention Center expansion project is now underway. Starting with the Georgia Street corridor, the downtown landscape is changing once again as the Convention Center expands into the space previously occupied by the RCA Dome.

Indianapolis-based Lenex Steel is fabricating the steel beams, columns, trusses, and stairs using 8,000 tons of steel to support the building’s framework. Fabrication work started last year in Lenex’s Terre Haute and Indianapolis plants. Weekly shipments of steel began to arrive at the site in mid-April and will continue through much of 2010.

“This project was in the planning phase for nearly a year, so the Lenex, Shiel-Sexton and Powers & Sons Construction teams are glad it is underway,” remarked Mike Berghoff, Lenex Steel President. “We are also pleased the work stayed in-state as Lenex was the only locally based fabricator to bid the project.”

When completed, the Indiana Convention Center will be the 17th largest facility in the United States. The expanded facility in conjunction with space at Lucas Oil Stadium will provide 745,000 of exhibit space and 131,000 square feet of meeting space. Topping off is expected to take place in 2010.

Thought it was odd that they were the only locally based fabricator submitting. Does locally mean city or state? The reason I say "state", is because the economy I figured at least another bid from a state company would have been submitted. Now this will be the 17th largest. How long before another addition?

How long before another addition?

Probably a few years, and not until the newly expanded convention center starts suffering from overcrowding and insufficient space issues.

The next location for an addition would be the parking lot on the north side of South Street between Lucas Oil Stadium and the train tracks.

Beginning to see some fairly quick progress on the Convention Center -- which makes sense since there isn't too much involved work related to putting up the giant exhibition space rooms that they currently are working on (which will be the bulk of this expansion project). Basically it is like putting up giant pole barns. (I'm sure its not quite that basic - but for the most part they're just putting up big roofs over a lot of open space.) As they get to the sections along the eastern edge of the structure - along Capitol Avenue - we will undoubtedly be seeing more complexity and architectural elements. As you drive westward along Georgia Street, toward the Convention Center, you can begin to see how the main entrance will form a grand, symmetrical entrance space, perfectly centered on Georgia St. Although Georgia St. has been a three block section downtown for quite a while, this new convention expansion will give a much more "book-ended" feel to the Street as it runs straight into Conseco on the one end and this main entrance to the Convention Center on the West end. You already get this feel with the basic structure that has only been constructed to about a block from Capitol Avenue at this time. That recently built section of the structure is only about the equivalent of a three story building - and yet it already makes an impressive presence in the view at the west end of the street. When the new main entrance is constructed, with its raised "ten meter platform" style roof structure, the street presence will be much more immense. That new structure should be fairly similar in height to a five story, glass building. It should have a very impressive way of anchoring the west end of Georgia St. downtown. Sorry I don't have a camera to take a picture - but if anyone else gets a chance to do so -- it would be appreciated I'm sure.

http://www.in.gov/iscba/2378.htm

http://www.in.gov/iscba/2378.htm
Is this a dynamic webcam?

It is. I just clicked on the link and the crane in the picture was moving.

from the eagles nest

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^^Nice shot. There has been at least one big construction project occuring in DT Indy these past few years.

That photo look like it's been tilt-shifted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_miniature_faking) a bit. It looks like a model.

That photo look like it's been tilt-shifted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_miniature_faking) a bit. It looks like a model.

What an interesting and captivating technique!

They've started putting up the steel beams to support the new main eastern entrance --- the glass "cube" -- which will be under the big central platform roof. One thing that is nice about it is the way the entrance is perfectly centered on Georgia Street. You're driving directly toward the glass cube when you are heading west on Georgia from Conseco. Definitely a couple of major bookends to that three block stretch of Georgia. Speaking of the convention center ---- interesting story in this morning's Star about hosting events there. Actually it primarily focused on big events at Lucas Oil Stadium during its first year. Besides the ten home Colts game, there were at least ten other major events that brought in over 40,000 people. Most were in the 50,000 - 60,000 person range. The Stadium will host about 160 events during its first year. I'll try to copy the story in another post.

Here's a link to the story about events at Lucas Oil Stadium during its first year. Its a pretty long article.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090713/LOCAL18/907130352/More+than+football+at+Colts++home

I still can't believe that the Dome was just on this site a few months back!

Is there any height to the CC, or will it be pretty low and under the other buildings?

I wish that they had placed retail along the east side of the Convention Center. Now THAT would be a novel idea! Of course still keep the nice entrance at Georgia Street. :)

re: height of the Convention Center --- It is all pretty low. Most of the expansion (particularly the southern and western parts of the new addition) is made up of very large, single floor exhibition halls. The ceilings are probably around 30 - 35 feet. Around the main entry area off of S. Capitol Ave, there are two levels of meeting rooms and the main hallway. That area is probably 35 - 40 feet tall. The glass entry area with the "platform" roof above it is the tallest part of the new addition. Its maybe 45 feet tall. Overall, its about the equivilant of a sprawling three story building. The view of the skyline from the south is much better though now. Previously the big white RCA Dome bubble blocked a lot of the view. Now there is an excellent view from south of South Street - you can see the double spires of St. John's Church and a few other shorter buildings that rise in front of the skyline. It looks pretty nice.

That is acually quite good that the church has a much less enclosed area around it now. Kinda neat how an area can somewhat go back to the way it was years ago.

Drove by the expansion site yesterday - along S. Capitol. Looks like they've got about 80% or more of the framing up for the expansion to the exhibit hall area to the south of the current facilities. They are just about ready to start putting up the last big section, which is the part that runs along Capitol. That should really begin to give the feel of how this expansion will impact the street - as we'll see what its like with the beams for the new eastern walls up in that area and we'll begin to feel how the wall will frame up alongside the street. That part along Capitol may take longer than the construction for the other parts of the new exhibit halls because this section will need to be prepared ready to handle windows and the outer hallways.

It will be interesting to see what the walkway looks like that is being built under the railroad tracks over to LOS. That area is so junky looking now -- Hopefully this project will help see that that area stays a little cleaner -- but I realize it wouldn't be easy trying to keep truck and auto soot off of the walls of a railroad underpass. The walkway - from what I have seen - may just be completely insulated - so that people walking through it won't really have any kind of a view to make them realize they are walking under several railroad tracks. The pictures I've seen make it look a lot like walking through a connecting concourse between gates at a large airport. Hopefully they will at least be able to put up some attractive pictures and/or local advertising to let them know where they are and what kinds of things they can do while in downtown.

^^

The walkway will be enclosed, but don't forget, the Cultural Trail is now heading down Capitol Ave all the way to South St as well. It will be alongside the enclosed walkway.

http://www.in.gov/iscba/2365.htm

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95o_fK10I/AAAAAAAADkE/v5XXdg61TJY/s640/photo%205.jpg


I wonder how the existing rail road is going to integrate into the site. It seems like the space in between the Convention Center expansion and Lucas Oil Stadium has a lot of potential to be a great open air area for conventions and festivals. I hope that the tracks can be worked around or properly integrated into the design.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95pDzoDQI/AAAAAAAADkM/puqn9bUVnXc/s640/photo%206.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95publhuI/AAAAAAAADkQ/HXxoqcZU_Nk/s640/photo%207.jpg

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Across the Street...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/St95-pBYDtI/AAAAAAAADnM/BdHfVqcVe-I/photo%2054.jpg

Great pics. The Luke looks so imposing in that last shot.

Sorry about the horrible quality of these pics. The camera is super crappy at night.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/Suj3QpkGOYI/AAAAAAAADrw/har_SKxonFg/photo.jpg

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I wish they could put their construction cam in a new place. All you see now is the top of the building.

I drove past this over the weekend and I like how it engages the Capitol Ave street and hopefull will add to the area. Much bigger than the photos imply

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/SvRrZeByR4I/AAAAAAAAD3g/FiOy-59X9TY/s640/P1010216.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/SvRrPQZQD_I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/TNymW0i5ylE/s640/P1010213.JPG



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^^That last pic is great. It captures the CC expansion and the JW Marriott Project.

Now if only we could get Georgia Street resurfaced.

November 19, 2009 from Eagles Nest


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b177/fashionking615muah/IMG_0567.jpg

Question about the Vertical Transportation Building (VTB).

I see that it is connected to the convention center via an enclosed walkway along Capitol. Is there currently an underground tunnel to Lucas Oil Stadium from the VTB or will there be one added? Or will you have to go outside and cross South St. to get to the stadium? I can't remember what the final decision was on this?

In the renderings, it appears as though there are escalators going down in the VTB. I would suppose to a tunnel, but I don't recall that an underground tunnel was ever completed under South St. during the construction.

^^ Yes --- a tunnel has been constructed under South Street. I remember well when they were digging it and had the street closed for a few months.

Thanks for the info GP. Good to know the tunnel is done. The VTB is really taking shape now.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_weBy68KZy-I/SzPVh4VEkmI/AAAAAAAAERY/szhg2-1WJyw/s640/photo%205.jpg

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Comment from Hoosier --- from November 09: "That last pic is great. It captures the CC expansion and the JW Marriott Project.

Now if only we could get Georgia Street resurfaced."


I guess you got your wish granted --- and beyond -- as far as the Georgia Street "re-surfacing" is concerned.

Anyone have any new photos to put up here? It looks much different now -- with almost all of the glass and brick completed; the new northern "platform roof extension" by the Georgia St. entrance in place; and the new connection under the railroad tracks between the Conv Center and Lucas Oil Stadium nearing completion (ie the walkway and building housing the escalators down by South Street - also known as the VTB - as noted above).
__________________

Photo Bomb... Photos from 06/30/2010 5:30pm

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I didn't know they opened The Luke on non-game days???

Thanks very much EddieB! Five or six more months and it should all be done.

Yes Cory --- I noticed that too the past few days -- that they've had the giant window open. I guess when the weather is nice and there is no chance for rain -- they just open it up --- maybe just to get some fresh air in there --- I don't know.

I had thought from the renderings that the surfboard roof and overhang on the new convention center was gonna be pale green.... tying back to the green oxidized copper roof of the church across the street, the green in the Simon building (which was used to mimic the green oxidized dome of the State House), and the green copper trim on the nearby Omni Severein. I had thought, while modern, it would be nice to mimic it's surroundings. It now looks as though it's just a beige metallic finish. :ohno: A copper roof would have been a nice touch, albiet probably an expensive one at that.

OLD RENDERING:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa215/baronalex/3404834080_6d8f6ae495_o.jpg

I had thought from the renderings that the surfboard roof and overhang on the new convention center was gonna be pale green.... tying back to the green oxidized copper roof of the church across the street, the green in the Simon building (which was used to mimic the green oxidized dome of the State House), and the green copper trim on the nearby Omni Severein. I had thought, while modern, it would be nice to mimic it's surroundings. It now looks as though it's just a beige metallic finish. :ohno: A copper roof would have been a nice touch, albiet probably an expensive one at that.

That was an early rendering, there are other details that changed as well. e.g. The columns are now entirely brick, whereas in that rendering, the brick stops about halfway up.

Wow --- I drove down S. Capitol after work past the CC and they finally have started clearing out a lot of the barricades and fencing that was blocking the view of the lower parts of the CC. It looks very good - with the Cultural Trail along the route also largely visible. It (the CT) looks pretty close to being completed through there as well. Trees and plantings are in place - and the typical curbing and paving of the trail looks pretty much done as well. They have some of the banners up -that are mounted on the brick columns. You can see the differing colors of glass in the main wall fronting Capitol. Also - there is an aqua panel along the bottom of the wall, below the glass windows. A good picture would be nice if any of you with cameras might happen to be going by in the near future.

That Subway is pretty bad, Ablerock.

As for Lucas Oil Stadium--it's not an abomination, but from a design standpoint it more or less is a failure. It tries too hard to define something that never really was there in the first place. Instead, it comes across as awkward, aggressive, tacky, and imposing. The thing is damn near 300' tall. The brick veneer panels don't match. Don't even get me started on the skew.

The convention center expansion is definitely a step forward and a welcome addition to our fair city, and even though its design isn't particularly awe inspiring it doesn't attempt to come across as something it's not, unlike LOS.

It was approved by the powers that be. Let's hope that the public can be more opposed to bad and ok architecure in the future. Maybe different firms will work on future developments, and go in a more inspiring direction.

A good picture would be nice if any of you with cameras might happen to be going by in the near future.

Here you go. I'm pleased with how it's shaping up. It looks great at night. Nice contemporary-colored lighting on the columns in the glass cube. Super-excited about Georgia Street's connnection.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/5146273638_45d0b486f6_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/5146278186_e07d055d44_b.jpg

Convention Center marketing staff likely to hit its goal of booking 650,000 future hotel room nights during 2010:

http://www.ibj.com/icva-nearing-hotel-roomreservation-goal/PARAMS/article/24244

I love the design and it is amazing how quickly this building has gotten up!
However, am I the only one who finds the fin a little… disconcerting? It looks like it lacks support.
It’s probably just me.

Saw this article on the channel 8 website:


Construction of $275 million expansion of downtown Indianapolis Convention Center.
Regular Photo SizeAdvertisement

New convention center set to open January 20
Updated: Monday, 10 Jan 2011, 2:34 PM EST
Published : Monday, 10 Jan 2011, 2:34 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Tourism officials say they're optimistic that the $275 million expansion of the downtown Indianapolis convention center will attract enough business to be worth the cost.

A ceremony is set for Jan. 20 to mark opening of the expanded Indiana Convention Center, which jumps Indianapolis from 33rd to 16th place among American cities for available convention space.

City convention association official Warren Wilkinson tells the Indianapolis Business Journal that the expansion and downtown hotel openings give the city a convention set-up that few others can match.

Beside the construction costs, the center's operational expenses are projected to grow from $6 million in 2010 to $11 million this year.

And competing cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, San Diego and Denver have also recently completed or are planning convention center expansions.



I wonder if Indy thought about the above cities when they expanded this phase? Does this mean that we are going to drop back into the 20's when they are done with their expantions?

^^ Atlanta and Chicago are already ahead of Indy -- so if they expand some more, they won't "come from behind" to jump back in front of Indy. Louisville's downtown Convention Center is much smaller than Indy's. It is about 200,000 sq feet compared to the new expanded center in downtown Indy which (with LOS included) totals about 750,000 sq feet. Louisville also has its Fairgrounds complex which has about 1,000,000 sq feet. If you count that -- it is also already ahead of Indpls. (I don't consider it a typical "real" convention center though -- because it seems like it is primarily aimed at attracting animal shows and farm and truck equipment shows. Its a step above the Indiana fairgrounds -- but not by much.) (I'm sure that will aggravate some Louisvillians, but -- oh well.) San Diego and Denver had been in the 600,000 - 700,000 sq ft range -- so if those two are planning expansions, they could jump in front of Indpls in the future.

^^
Aggravate? Naw. The convention center is 300,000 sq ft, if I am not mistaken, and the Kentucky Exposition Center is about 1.2 million sq ft. Yes, its most prominent events are rooted in agriculture and the auto industry, which I do not see as a negative. (Perhaps that is a general attitude among the city? Louisville did regain the very large FFA convention after its stint in Indy.) I must say that I find the Kentucky Exposition Center is vastly superior to the Indiana fairgrounds, speaking purely in numbers.

I agree the Kentucky Exposition Center is well ahead of the Indiana fairgrounds - not only in overall sq. footage but in condition as well. Many of the Indiana Fairgrounds buildings are pretty much just set up to house cows, pigs, horses, sheep, etc for the three weeks of the State Fair. There are some slightly nicer buildings on the grounds that get used for other events throughout the year -- but those events primarily are things that bring local folks in to see the gun and knife show or the home show or the boat show, etc. I don't think the Indiana fair grounds hosts too many - if any - events that bring a significant number of out of towners to the facility. Indy's downtown Convention Center is the place for those kinds of events -- with all of the surrounding hotels, shopping and restaurants. The KY Exposition Center is very good for attracting the types of shows that it gets -- but it isn't the place for attracting professional trade shows. That is what the Kentucky Int'l Convention Center is for.

^^
Aggravate? Naw. The convention center is 300,000 sq ft, if I am not mistaken, and the Kentucky Exposition Center is about 1.2 million sq ft. Yes, its most prominent events are rooted in agriculture and the auto industry, which I do not see as a negative. (Perhaps that is a general attitude among the city? Louisville did regain the very large FFA convention after its stint in Indy.) I must say that I find the Kentucky Exposition Center is vastly superior to the Indiana fairgrounds, speaking purely in numbers.

You know why Louisville got it back...? Indy was viewed as "too big a city" with far too many distractions for the kids. Further, the past 2 years the convention experienced some sort of crime or safety issue.

Further, the past 2 years the convention experienced some sort of crime or safety issue.

And neither incident was Indy's fault. One kid fell off an escalator at Circle Center (how the hell do you that?) and the following year another kid ( a foreign student from Afghanistan) INTENTIONALLY ran away.

I am sure the fine folks at the Indiana Convention Center will find suitable replacements to the FFA.

Speaking of the San Diego convention center expansion, I think you should all take a look at it. While its not the greatest thing in the world, there is one aspect that I really love. They are putting a 5 acre rooftop park on it...which is a great idea. Just look at an aerial photo of the convention center and see all of that wasted roof space...it doesn't look like we could even get a white roof.

http://www.portofsandiego.org/images/stories/galleries/sdcce-2010-11/sdcc-05.jpg

That convention center expansion in San Diego looks pretty good. Having palm trees and a marina outside doesn't hurt of course.... not to mention 73 degree average temperatures throughout the year. The park adds a lot to it. Nice. I'd love to see a rooftop park in Indy. I think the state parking garage, between the JW Marriott complex and the Indianapolis Marriott, would make a great spot. They could add another floor and put a park on top. It would be connected to the Convention Center and also to the 2400 rooms in the two Marriott complexes. Maybe Marriott could pay for a chunk of the cost and be able to use it for special events related to major conventions that are filling the rooms of its multiple surrounding hotels.

Louisville didn't completely take back the FFA convention from Indianapolis. It will be rotating back and forth over the next fiteen or so years -- possibly longer. Here are a few details from an article I found on the topic:


National FFA Convention will rotate between Louisville, Indianapolis

The National FFA Organization announced Dec. 12 that its annual convention will rotate between Louisville, Ky., and Indianapolis, Ind., for the foreseeable future.

Starting in 2013, Louisville will share hosting duties with Indianapolis on a three-year rotational basis. Louisville will host the convention 2013 through 2015. The convention will return to Indianapolis for the years 2016 through 2018. Louisville will then be given the first right of option for the years 2019-2021; Indianapolis will have the option for 2022-2024.

FFA CEO and National FFA Advisor Dr. Larry Case was appreciative of both cities' efforts. "Both cities have welcomed FFA with outstanding hospitality," said Case. "Indianapolis and Louisville have both proven their ability to put on a world-class event for our members, advisors and guests."

National FFA President Paul Moya said, "I'm confident that our members will look forward to experiencing both unique cities during their high school years."

"We welcome FFA back to Louisville with open arms," said Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson. "Our city has so much to offer these young men and women from top notch hotel accommodations to entertainment and, soon, a new downtown arena. FFA's homecoming is great news for Louisville at a time when a sour economy has been grabbing headlines."

"It's great news to learn that Indianapolis has once again been selected to host the national FFA convention," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. "The positive impact of this event and these outstanding young people on our city is undeniable."

The annual national FFA convention, which was previously held in Louisville from 1999 through 2005 and is currently under contract with Indianapolis through 2012, hosts more than 54,000 high school-aged FFA members from across the country. The return of this prestigious event-the nation's largest annual youth gathering-will bring both cities estimated annual revenue exceeding $40 million.

http://www.hpj.com/archives/2009/jan09/jan5/NationalFFAConventionwillro.cfm

That San Diego convention center looks fantastic. Anything close to that design,be it lowrise,highrise, whatever is several years if not a couple decades in the future for Indianapolis. Any of those elements are nowhere in the same ballpark for downtown. Indy is too conservative, and I have accepted this about Indianapolis. If a great Chicago design or others from several American cities ever comes to Indy,it is several years off in the distant future!

I walked throughout the convention center today and into the JW Marriott, (which officially opened today). The Convention Center expansion is done now, so this thread can now have its status changed to Complete.

From the March 24, 2011 Indianapolis Business Journal:

City lures new convention chief from San Francisco

The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association has hired a senior executive at San Francisco’s convention and tourism agency as its president and CEO, the ICVA announced Thursday morning.

Leonard Hoops, 46, is executive vice president and chief customer officer at the San Francisco Travel Association and is regarded as a rising star in the hospitality industry.

The long-time California resident was named among the “25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing” by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International.

Hoops replaces Don Welsh, who left Indianapolis in January to head the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau.

“Indianapolis has developed an exceptionally attractive convention and meeting package to go with its international reputation as a sports fan’s dream city,” Hoops said in a written statement. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

In San Francisco, Hoops led a staff of 40 and worked with a budget of $12 million.

His new job in Indianapolis, which he’ll begin May 31, involves a staff of 59 and an annual budget of $13 million.

He also arrives at a key time, with $3 billion in new convention, meeting and lodging facilities recently opened downtown. That includes a $275 million, 350,000- square-foot addition to the Indiana Convention Center that opened in January.

Hoops also arrives ahead of the 2012 Super Bowl scheduled for Indianapolis next February, assuming a labor dispute between players and the National Football League doesn't cancel it.

Hoops’ "proven sales results, extensive marketing expertise and strong convention-industry knowledge make him the ideal person to take Indianapolis to the next level and capitalize on the city’s new investments,” Michael Browning, chairman of the ICVA board, said in a prepared statement.

Among work in San Francisco, Hoops played a role in the renovation and expansion planning for San Francisco’s Moscone convention center. He helped manage a network of 13 international tourism development offices.

San Francisco has had a strong draw from both domestic and international visitors, with such attractions as Chinatown, Fisherman’s Warf, Pier 39 and the Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco drew an estimated 16 million visitors last year spending upward of $8 billion. The ICVA points to a study by Vantage Strategy that says about 18 million people visit the Circle City annually, with an economic impact of $3.4 billion.

Hoops recently told the San Francisco Examiner that hotel worker strikes were creating a “labor cloud” over that city and could threaten its tourism industry. He said San Francisco needed to attract more business travelers, who tend to spend more per person than leisure travelers.

Hoops’ 25 years of California convention experience also includes a role as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, and a similar role at San Jose’s bureau.

Hoops said he’s followed Indianapolis from afar. “I’ve long admired the vision of the region’s civic and tourism leaders and I’m excited to lead the ICVA’s efforts to bring more conventions and visitors to Indy.”

With a convention center now twice as large following the expansion, the ICVA and its new CEO will be under considerable pressure to fill it.
“It’s a pivotal time in the city’s convention history,” said ICVA spokesman Chris Gahl.

This Convention Center expansion project was completed in February, 2011. The moderators can change it to "completed" now - from under construction.