Convention Center coming to revitalized downtown
Downtown Owensboro is “kicking up” plenty of dust as construction rolls forward with the myriad of projects in the city’s urban center. As the community nears the opening of Smothers Park, a major catalyst project for the downtown is beginning to form out of the dirt at the west end of the new park. The Owensboro Convention Center and privately financed, attached hotel are beginning to take shape where Frederica Street meets the scenic Ohio River. Designed to replace the famed Executive Inn which hosted many state and regional functions, the convention center will be a multi-purpose venue with ability to host a variety of local and regional events. “Owensboro never had a convention center before the Executive Inn,” said City of Owensboro Operations Manager, Tony Cecil. “Then it closed and there was a big hole to plug. With less activity, the vision was to replace all the business we lost and embrace it.” Trahan Architects of Baton Rouge, La. are designing the facility and Knoxville, Tn. based construction company, Denark will be building the venue for the City and Daviess County. “I am very pleased with the progress that we are making towards our goal of using a significant amount of local labor and local contractors in the construction of the convention center,” stated City Manager Bill Parrish. “While negotiations in several construction disciplines are still open as we approach finalizing the guaranteed
Rooster Booster August 2, 2012
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maximum price for the building, I am happy with the progress to date, including the commitment of at least 6 local companies, comprised of union and non-union labor who will employ close to 200 workers. As we continue with negotiations, we remain committed to using local labor and home-town businesses.” Global Spectrum, the private management company hired to operate the facility, have been on the ground since January selling the facility to the region and preparing for events for the December 2013 opening. The sleek, modern design will provide just over 90,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space, including 44,096 sq. ft. in three exhibition halls plus more than 16,000 sq. ft. of pre-function on the first floor, and more than 30,000 sq. ft. of ballroom and meeting space on the mezzanine and second floors. See downtown/page 5