Central Bank Center gets ‘topped’ signifying progress

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A project that has bee taking shape in downtown Lexington for more than a year reached another milestone Thursday.

The city, the Lexington Center board, Central Bank and others joined the “Topping Out” Ceremony celebrating the construction workers and the safe completion of Phase 1 of the Central Bank Center expansion project.

Organizers said the almost-$300 million project will “change the game” in terms of attracting even more people to downtown Lexington to what already is one of the top venue destinations i the country.

The final 15-foot structural beam, including stakeholders’ signatures, was lifted into place by crane on the new exhibit hall space and, in keeping with construction tradition, was adorned with a live evergreen tree — signifying good luck and prosperity — and an American flag.

About 300 people are working onsite daily as the project reaches this milestone on the exhibit hall space of the new building.

“I would like to recognize and applaud the efforts of the hundreds of skilled men and women in reaching this important milestone of completing the uppermost structure of this project which has been years in planning and development.,” said Bill Owen, Central Bank Center President & CEO.

“They’ve worked tirelessly to complete difficult tasks, sometimes under challenging conditions. The facilities of Lexington Center, now Central Bank Center, have served the entire region and state for 44 years,” Owen continued. “This renewal of our convention facilities and the rebirth of Rupp Arena is a grand future of among the finest convention and meeting destinations, along with one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the country. We are eager to sustain and grow the economic impact from these world class facilities for Lexington and the Commonwealth.”.

“Congratulations to Central Bank Center,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “This facility has been a cornerstone of our downtown since it opened in 1976. This new addition, and the reinvention of the entire facility, will allow us to attract even more visitors to Lexington. Our investment in Central Bank Center is an investment in new jobs and in a lively downtown.”

Central Bank Center Board Chairman Bob Elliston shared those sentiments, “Getting to this stage has not been easy and has involved the hard work and support of many people. The Kentucky Legislature, The city of Lexington, under the leadership of both Mayor Jim Gray and Mayor Linda Gorton, the Lexington Center Corporations Boards, past and present, have spent years bringing to reality a world class Convention Center.

“oday’s ceremony represents a major milestone for all of these entities as well as for Messer Construction Co. and its workforce, the present and future residents of Lexington and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Quite simply, this project is, by far, the most important and single largest public investment the city of Lexington has undertaken in almost 50 years,” Elliston added.

“This new facility will give us the space we need to provide the Lexington community and Central Kentucky with the best meeting, convention and trade show experience possible. Our commitment to excellence doesn’t change with a new building; but it will grow, and we will continue to offer the best meeting, convention, concert and large event experience in the region,” he concluded.

“We are honored to be leading the expansion of this Lexington landmark,” said Messer Vice President Mark Hill. “I want to thank the Messer craft professionals and all of our subcontractors who are working onsite every day to safely build this project. Complex construction and phased renovations are what Messer does best, and we look forward to finishing this job over the next year and a half.”

The new Central Bank Center will offer 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 25,000-square-foot ballroom, 25,000 square feet of meeting space and 50,000 square feet of hospitality space. The building will also be home to Rupp Arena, home court of the UK Men’s Basketball team and legendary concert venue. Construction is expected to be complete in January 2022.
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Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the Lexington Center Corporation is a not-for-profit 501c3 corporate agency of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government established in 1974 to manage and maintain Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Convention Center), Triangle Park and the Lexington Opera House. One of the nation’s most storied entertainment destinations, Central Bank Center venues collectively welcome an average of 1.3 million patrons annually.

Since 1976, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center has served as the home court of the University of Kentucky mens’ basketball team, regularly leading the national attendance average. Rupp Arena has hosted legendary artists such as Justin Timberlake, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton and many more. Since 2018, Oak View Group and Live Nation Arenas have provided booking services to Rupp Arena. In the 18 months prior to the COVID 19 shutdown, Rupp Arena had broken all previous audience attendance and revenue records in its storied 43-year history.

The Lexington Opera House, built in 1886, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the premiere performing arts centers in the region. From its opening, the Opera House has played host to such famous stage performers W.C. Fields, The Marx Brothers, Al Jolson, Julie Harris, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson and Graham Nash.  It has undergone two major renovations and remains a cultural destination in downtown Lexington.

The new convention center exhibition space will be increased by more than 50 percent and ballroom space by more than 40 percent. Upon completion in Spring 2022, Central Bank Center, which originally opened in 1976 as Lexington Center, will have more than 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

Messer Construction was awarded the $241 million winning contract bid, recommended by the Convention Center Expansion Project Committee.

The contract includes: demolition of the Jefferson Street Bridge, all new construction costs including 100,000 square feet of exhibit halls, a 25,000 square foot ballroom, 24,000 square feet of flexible meeting spaces and 60,000 square feet of pre-function and circulation space, new UK Hospitality Clubs, new upper arena chair back seats and new parking structures.

Inside Rupp Arena, home to the University of Kentucky basketball program, the redesign includes upgrades to the upper seating bowl, approximately 50,000 square feet of club space, expanded concourses and new sustainability features that will target LEED certification.

The redesign provides a transparent exterior for Rupp Arena and the convention center, with distinctive building identities and entrances. By making activities inside more visible, it encourages passersby to participate and links those inside to the city.

The design also includes a park, plaza and water features.