Evansville set to begin demolishing downtown buildings to make way for $127 million arena
By APThursday, January 21, 2010
Evansville demolitions to begin on arena project
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The city of Evansville will begin demolishing downtown buildings this week to make way for an 11,000-seat downtown arena going up on the site, project Director John Kish said Thursday.
Kish said crews will take down the taller buildings over the weekend, avoiding creating excess dust that could disrupt class at nearby Signature School.
“We expect to begin demolition this week and have all the Main Street buildings taken down to street level by Monday morning,” Kish said.
Kish said he did not expect the demolition work to create any new street closings or traffic changes.
The city on Wednesday agreed to pay $180,000 for the former Libs Candy store, the last building needed to be purchased before most demolition could begin. The city earlier began taking down a portion of the former Evansville Executive Inn.
City officials in July announced plans for tearing down part of the 470-room hotel. Developer Browning Investments will then renovate the remaining 250-room facility, which will be connected to the new arena.
The $127 million arena is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011. It will replace the city’s 52-year-old Roberts Stadium, home to the University of Evansville basketball teams.
Much of its funding will come from casino tax revenue and local food-and-beverage taxes.
On the Net: www.evansvillearenaproject.com
