Plans to renovate Rupp are suspended

Published 1:42 am Thursday, June 19, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. — (AP) — Lexington Mayor Jim Gray has suspended efforts to renovate the home of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team.

The proposed $351 million project to renovate Rupp Arena and build a new convention center in downtown Lexington has languished for some time.

Gray said Wednesday he suspended work on the project after UK withdrew its support for a proposed annual $10.7 million lease on Rupp, beginning in 2018. Gray said officials had designed the proposed renovation based on what the university said it needed.

Email newsletter signup

Gov. Steve Beshear said he still thinks the original project is what Lexington and the university need. The governor said he hopes UK will eventually be ready to move forward with the project.

UK spokesman Jay Blanton said the university did not have any immediate comment.