$241 million contract awarded for renovation of Rupp Arena, Lexington Convention Center

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Board of Directors of the Lexington Center Corporation voted unanimously Thursday to award Messer Construction Company the contract to renovate Rupp Arena and the Lexington Center convention facility.

Bid proposals were received from three general contractors and opened on June 12, 2018.

Messer Construction Company’s $241 million winning contract bid will keep intact the original 2014 design and vision of the project.

The contract includes: All new construction costs, demolition of the Jefferson Street Bridge including the north abutment, new UK Hospitality Clubs, new upper arena chair back seats and new parking structures.

The three-year construction project is slated to begin with a public groundbreaking in mid-July, 2018 and be completed in November 2021.

The project will be built in phases to allow Rupp Arena and much of the existing convention center to remain in operation during construction.

The original 2014 Lexington Convention Center design, approved in December of 2016, was developed by NBBJ Architects of Los Angeles CA and EOP Architects, Lexington and includes 100,800 sq ft of exhibit halls, a 25,185 ballroom, 30,270 sq ft of flexible meeting spaces and 110,234 sq. ft of pre-function and circulation space.