The Kentucky State Fair Board is about to embark on a multi-phase project combining renovation and new construction across the entire Kentucky Exposition Center campus in Louisville, KY. Beginning in March, the design team lead by Schmidt Associates in partnership with HKS Inc. and other consultants, engaged in multiple on-site activities including Current State analysis and programming, a facility conditions assessment, and high-level concepting / budget alignment for Phases I and II of the project. Phase III was also discussed as part of the long-range planning, but designs for that Phase are still being developed. These activities formed the basis of the following project Phases. Please refer to the attachments for additional information. Please also note that the facility will remain fully operations during construction, and is on-call with local, state and Federal agencies as an emergency response site 24/7, 365 days / year. PHASE I 1) Campus-wide enabling projects to install necessary infrastructure tied to current and future Phases of oncampus construction. 2) A new 350,000 GSF multi-purpose building with 280,000 SF of Multi-purpose Exhibit space. This new building will host multiple events of various sizes and types throughout the year, with amenities such as 3,000 SF of support spaces (meeting rooms, offices) a 30,000 SF mechanical mezzanine, and covered walkways connecting to Freedom Hall and Broadbent Arena. 3) It is highly likely that the enabling projects and early bid packages for concrete, steel, site infrastructure, and switchgear will be released in early 2025 to ensure the building envelope is under construction by August 2025. 4) Estimated completion date for Phase I is August 1, 2026. PHASE II 1) This phase is contingent upon State funding. 2) Multiple enabling projects to install necessary infrastructure tied to current and future Phases of construction on-campus. 3) A new 249,000 GSF multi-purpose West Wing replacement with 207,000 SF of Multi-purpose Exhibit space. Like Phase I, this building will host multiple events of various sizes and types throughout the year. 4) Additional amenities will include 20,000 SF of new Meeting Rooms associated with the Multi-purpose Exhibit Space and 49,000 SF of new Pre-function space for guests and vendors. 5) New distributed Food and Beverage spaces totaling 40,000 SF will enhance those offerings, provide more food options closer to the customer, and contribute to an overall better experience.5) 6) It is highly likely that the enabling projects and early bid packages for concrete, steel, site infrastructure, and demolition will all be released early. Timing TBD. 7) Estimated completion date for Phase II is August 1, 2027.
