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 Indianapolis—After much discussion and anticipation, Indiana officials unveiled the design for the expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, with construction due to start in the summer of 2008—after the demolition of the RCA Dome. The new design made its debut at the meeting of the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority (ISCBA)  in June. 

The expansion was fueled by the growing popularity of Indianapolis as a Midwest meetings destination. "Our tremendous success has driven this need to expand the facility," said Bob Bedell, President, the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. "We expanded in 2001 and were immediately at capacity.  For us to be able to maintain our current annual business and attract larger conventions and trade shows—and more business in the future—the expansion is needed." 

When completed in 2010, the expansion – combined with space in the new Lucas Oil Stadium (which will open in 2008 and will be used for conventions)—will increase the amount of exhibition, meeting room, pre-function space from about 725,000 square feet to more than 1.2 million square feet.  That includes about 254,000 square feet of exhibition space and 63,000 square feet of meeting room space in the Convention Center addition. 

The design includes a three-story glass entryway will be lit with seasonal colors and features a sloping roof that extends well out over the sidewalk. "The entryway design plays off Indiana's flat landscape and symbolizes a welcoming hand of friendship," said William Browne Jr., president of Ratio Architects, the lead architect for the expansion. Browne presented the plans for the $275 million project at the ISCBA meeting

The glass-and-brick facade of the expansion also features green Rooflines that mimic the greenish tinge on the nearby Indiana Statehouse dome. In addition, most of the new space will be column-free, warehouse-like space. The new convention center/stadium complex will boast 747,000 square feet of exhibition space, 129,000 square feet of meeting room space, 67,000 square feet of ballroom space, plus 296,000 square feet of pre-function space.  A skywalk will connect the Convention Center expansion with the new Lucas Oil Stadium. This climate controlled skywalk will be 30 feet wide with a portion becoming a tunnel under the street into the new stadium and will be equipped with escalators and elevators.

"We currently rank about 33rd nationally in exhibition and meeting space," said Bedell. "When the expansion is completed, we will rise to 16th in capacity among all cities and second among our 13 primary competitors."

A 2004 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) study predicted that Lucas Oil Stadium and the expansion of the Convention Center would create nearly 10,000 new jobs, 4,200 of which will be permanent and 4,900 temporary during construction. The study estimated that the two projects would add some $2.25 billion to the state and regional economy over 10 years and provide about $26 million in tax revenues for state and local government over the same period.