Demolition nears completion; recycling efforts hailed.
The Kentucky International Convention Center expansion project is seeking silver LEED green building certification, the second-highest ranking from the U.S. Green Building Council. To work towards that goal, more than 77 percent of the concrete, metal and other materials from the demolition of the western half of the building will be recycled.
The concrete, 8,800 tons, will be used as the foundation in other construction projects. Some of the bricks will be re-used as part of the renovation, with nearly 65 percent being recycled in some capacity. The steel and other metals will be melted to create new construction materials.
The original structure, built in 1974, is being demolished to the ground level. The convention center has been closed since August and will reopen in summer 2018. The expansion will add a minimum of 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and a 40,000 square foot ballroom without expanding the outer walls of the building. This expansion will potentially bring up to 25 percent more business to the convention center. The renovation of the convention center is projected to cost $207 million.
