These are the newly approved expansion plans for the Indiana Convention Center, which were presented by William (Bill) Browne, Jr., CEO of Ratio Architects, the lead architect for the project. The project is being directed by the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority. This $275 million expansion, which received state and local funding, involves the demolition of the RCA Dome in 2008, followed by the construction of a major addition to the Convention Center on that site. When completed in 2010—combined with the 2008 opening of The Lucas Oil Stadium, the new home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts—the amount of exhibition, meeting room, ballroom and pre-function space will increase from about 725,000 square feet to more than 1.2 million square feet. "This expansion affords our largest customers growth opportunities and gives Indianapolis the ability to host larger conventions and two major conventions simultaneously," said Bob Bedell, president of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. "This moves Indianapolis into the 'big leagues,' making us competitive with the largest convention cities and giving us an advantage over most American cities."