If you travel down Capital Avenue near downtown, it’s easy to forget that the Hoosier Dome was ever there at all. The building that was so much a part of the downtown landscape and sports history has vanished. That was part of the deal put together to build Lucas Oil Stadium. By the way, I like it’s nickname ‘The Luke’. Has a bit more swagger don’t you think? Like it’s ‘one of the boys’ now. The Dome didn’t vanish overnight. It took a while. Of course there was the day when they imploded the Dome. That was dramatic. But day by day the area where the Dome used to stand is being transformed into part of an expanded Convention Center. This photo above is of the new entrance under construction. The Convention Center expansion is part of Indianapolis’ bid to be a major player for convention business and sporting events destination. That will translate into many millions of dollars of income for area businesses over time which will dwarf the cost of construction. Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse, Victory Field, several new hotels close by, all the White River State Park attractions and Circle Centre is all a part of the vision. You never really know for sure how the success of all the planning will measures up until you look back later with hindsight. But conventional wisdom says they have gotten it right. (pun intended!)
Another shot below taken few days later. It will be interesting to see the changes again at completion.
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Tags: Indianapolis Downtown
