This rendering shows a conceptual view of Rupp Arena from the outside. The project involving Rupp and the surrounding area would take 10 to 20 years.|Photo courtesy of SpaceGroup
The audience listened as Master Planner Gary Bates, right, presented his vision for the future of downtown as the Rupp Arena, Arts and Entertainment District Task Force made its final report to the community Tuesday morning at Hilton Lexington/Downtown Hotel on West Vine Street in Lexington. | photo by Lexington Herald-Leader staff
Barnhart applauds city’s efforts on Rupp but says campus needs must come first
By Jerry Tipton, 2.1.12, Kentucky.com
University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart applauded the effort applied to Lexington’s proposed entertainment district and renovation of Rupp Arena. But echoing UK’s administration, he said campus needs must be a higher priority.
“I want to get to a spot where the university’s needs are met in total,” Barnhart said before UK played Tennessee Tuesday night.
Barnhart spoke after the mayor’s task force unveiled a proposal earlier in the day to renovate Rupp as part of a plan to develop and invigorate Lexington’s downtown… Read more at Kentucky.com
Final report of Rupp task force envisions $300 million project with many sources of financing
by Beverly Fortune, 1.31.12, Kentucky.com
The Rupp Arena Arts and Entertainment District Task Force’s final report, issued Tuesday morning, envisions a $250 to $300 million “transformation of the Lexington Center itself, including Rupp Arena, the Lexington Convention Center, the Civic Center Shoppes and immediate environs,” but it does not have a specific plan to pay for the huge project.
As previously reported, the task force proposes a major renovation of Rupp Arena, rather than replacing the 24,000-seat home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats.
The report does offer general guidelines for financing the project:…Read more at Kentucky.com
To visit the Rupp website click here
Read More,
“Redesigned Downtown Would ‘Free Rupp’ From its Surroundings” Erik A. Carlson, 1.31.12, Business Lexington
“All options on table for Rupp Arena, Gray and Barnhart say” Beverly Fortune and Jerry Tipton, 1.29.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Planner says it’s too early in process to determine Rupp’s future” Beverly Fortune and Jerry Tipton, 1.29.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Mayor appoints task force to study Rupp Arena’s future” Cheryl Truman, 1.29.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Renovated Rupp Arena would meet UK’s needs and cost far less than a new arena, study says” Beverly Fortune, 1.29.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Rupp Arena discussion leads to other parts of downtown Lexington” Beverly Fortune, 1.29.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Consultant unveils ideas for reinventing Rupp Arena and surrounding area” Beverly Fortune, 1.29.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Gray unveils Rupp renovation proposal that includes 8-sided scoreboard” Beverly Fortune, 1.26.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“On its 35th birthday, Rupp Arena is at a crossroads” Beverly Fortune, 12.26.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“UK design dean: Rupp redo would invigorate city’s brand” Michael Speaks, 1.26.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Planner says it’s too early in process to determine Rupp’s future” Beverly Fortune and Jerry Tipton, 1.26.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Architect presents ideas for Rupp and surrounding area” Beverly Fortune, 1.26.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Tax revenues for Louisville arena fall short” The Associated Press, 1.21.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Governor’s Proposed Budget Would Authorize UK to Spend up to $375 Million and Includes $3.5 Million for Downtown” Erik A. Carlson, 1.19.12, Business Lexington
“Beshear proposes $3.5 million in bonds for Lexington to begin Rupp project” Jack Brammer and John Cheves, 1.18.12, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Beshear: Downtown/Rupp Project to get State Funds, But Maybe Not as Soon as Hoped” Erik A. Carlson, 1.10.12, BizLex.com
“Historic Town Branch reemerges as a key to city plans” Van Meter Petit, 12.19.11, Kentucky.com
“Lexington committee OKs design for Rupp renovation, arts and entertainment district” Beverly Fortune, 12.18.11, Kentucky.com
“After Nixing Support of Rupp Funds, UK Looking to Privatize Dorms” Tom Martin, 12.13.11, BizLex.com
“Editorial | Progress for Pennies: Local tax option would put Rupp’s future back in Lexington’s court” Business Lexington, Op-Ed, 12.13.11
“Lexington Mayor Jim Gray to ask legislature for Rupp Arena funding: UK president won’t support state funding of project” Linda B. Blackford, 12.13.11, Kentucky.com
‘“Rupp concept embraces optimism” Tom Eblen, 12.4.11, Kentucky.com
“Restoration of the Old Courthouse should be part of the Rupp District Plan” Foster Ockerman, Jr., 11.22.11, BizLex.com
“Rupp Arena discussion leads to other parts of downtown Lexington” By Beverly Fortune, 12.2.11, Kentucky.com
‘“Consultant unveils ideas for reinventing Rupp Arena and surrounding area” By Beverly Fortune, 12.1.11, Kentucky.com
“Renovated Rupp Arena would meet UK’s needs and cost far less than a new arena, study says“ By Beverly Fortune, 11.30.11, Kentucky.com
“Madison Square Garden renovation wows Rupp task force members: Renovation plan for Madison square garden intrigues Lexington leaders” Jerry Tipton, 11.16.11, Kentucky.com
“Study of Lexington Center Calls for More Space, More Hotel Rooms: Report may vindicate CentrePointe developer’s latest decision” Tom Martin, 11.1.11, Kentucky.com
“Study suggests need for more hotel rooms downtown” Scott Sloan, 11.2.11, Kentucky.com
“Arena report goes beyond what’s best for basketball” Rich Copely, 10.24.11, Kentucky.com
“Seeing Rupp in a new way” Op-Ed, 10.20.11, Kentucky.com
“Architect presents ideas for Rupp and surrounding area” Beverly Fortune, 10.19.11, Kentucky.com
“Chance to build a downtown economic engine” Brent Rice, 10.9.11, Kentucky.com
“City launches Arena District website“ BizLex Staff, 9.15.11, BizLex.com
“Planner says it’s too early in process to determine Rupp’s future” Beverly Fortune & Jerry Tipton, 9.8.11, Kentucky.com
“Arena master planner: Rupp could be renovated if convention center moved“ Tom Eblen, 8.28.11, Kentucky.com
“UK basketball arena fact-finding group visits Indianapolis“ Jerry Tipton, 8.27.11, Kentucky.com
“Lexington arena study group will visit Columbus on Friday“ Staff Report, 8.11.11, Kentucky.com
“Barnhart says UK must play in ‘gold standard’ arena: UK, fans deserve that, Barnhart tells task force” Beverly Fortune, 4.15.11, Kentucky.com
“Question for arena task force is bigger than Rupp” Tom Eblen, 4.3.11, Kentucky.com
“Mayor adds members to Lexington Center panel“ Staff, 4.2.11, Kentucky.com
“Gray Announces Task Force to Study Options for Rupp, Lexington Center Land: Group to look at renovation versus replacement and options for surrounding area“ Erik A. Carlson, 3.29.11, BizLex.com
“Mayor appoints task force to study Rupp Arena’s future” Cheryl Truman, 3.29.11, Kentucky.com
