LOUISVILLE, KY (June 23, 2008)…

During its monthly meeting this morning, the Louisville Arena Authority unveiled new images of the downtown Arena’s interior designs. HOK Sport, the architecture firm selected to design the 717,000 square-foot arena, presented renderings of the state-of-the-art facility to the Authority and attendees at today’s public meeting.

Visitors enter the Arena through the 14,000 square-foot Grand Lobby. The spacious, open lobby features high ceilings, terrazzo flooring and glass windows to give patrons a clear view of downtown Louisville and the Arena’s large, open plaza. A restaurant/sports bar will be located at the rear of the main concourse and will provide a spectacular view of the Ohio River.

As the future home to the University of Louisville basketball teams, the Arena combines modern designs with the history and energy of the community to create a lively atmosphere that is both functional and entertaining. “We’ve brought the story of the Louisville Arena exterior inside,” said Steve Hotujac, HOK Sport principal. “Outside, the Arena speaks of the city and its surroundings. Inside, the Arena continues that theme by celebrating the region’s rich history.”

The Arena boasts 22,000 seats with over half located in the lower bowl. This unique seating design provides better sight lines and viewing angles for all patrons. Seating also includes 71 suites, 70 loge boxes, 4 party suites and approximately 3,000 club seats for premium seating options. The Arena is scheduled to open in November, 2010. For more information, please visit www.arenaauthority.com.

The fall of 2010 is going to be a historical time for UofL Athletics. The University of Louisville men’s & women’s basketball teams will call the Downtown Arena “home” after 53 memorable seasons in storied Freedom Hall. The features of the new Downtown Arena are extensive and our basketball teams and fans will enjoy the new state-of-the-art amenities. However, Freedom Hall has served the Cards tremendously over the years and we should savor every moment we have left in the remaining seasons.

Freedom Hall holds a special place in the hearts of thousands of UofL fans. Who can forget…

•  December 22, 1956: The Cards post an 85-75 win over Notre Dame in their first-ever game in Freedom Hall.
•  March 1, 1980: Darrell Griffith caps off a 16-0 home record in his final game in Freedom Hall with an 81-72 victory over Florida State in the championship game of the Metro Conference Tournament. Three weeks later, he would lead the Cards to their first national title.
•  December 15, 1984: the Cards knock off cross-state rival Kentucky, 71-64, in the first-ever regular-season meeting between the two rivals at Freedom Hall.
•  March 2, 1986: Milt Wagner’s two free-throws with 0:01 on the clock clinch the Metro Conference regular-season title in a 70-69 win over #7 Memphis State. One week later, the Cards oust the Tigers again with an 88-79 win in the tournament championship game, on their way to another NCAA Championship.
• December 19, 1987: Freshman LaBradford Smith holds a coming-out party in only his fourth game in a Cardinal uniform, pouring in 32 points in an 81-69 win over #5 Indiana.
• December 31, 1988: The Cardinals close out the year in style with a 97-75 blowout win over Kentucky in a game nationally-televised on CBS.
• January 1, 1995: Samaki Walker records the first triple-double in UofL history, as his 13 points, 10 rebounds, & 11 blocks lead the good guys to an 88-86 thriller over #5 Kentucky.
• February 3, 1996: On a snowy night, with sub-zero temperatures outside, the Cards heat up the building by trouncing #11 Memphis, 74-56, in the Tigers’ first trip to Louisville in five years.
• December 29, 1996: The Cards run their record to 10-0 with a thrilling come-from-behind, double-overtime victory over #25 Boston College, 89-85.
• January 11, 1997: Hall of Fame Coach Denny Crum records his 600th career victory with a 60-56 victory over Georgia Tech.
• December 26, 1998: Marques Maybin’s four-point play from the corner puts the dagger in the Wildcats as the Cards topple #3 Kentucky, 83-74.
• December 23, 1999: A flawless first-half with zero turnovers, along with Nate Johnson’s career-high 31 points, catapult the Cards to a 97-80 holiday trouncing of #6 North Carolina.
• February 10, 2000: The Cards knock-off another top-ten team in convincing fashion, with an 82-69 win over #4 Syracuse.
• November 18, 2001: The Rick Pitino Era begins with a bang, as the new-look Cards demolish South Alabama in the home opener, 92-38.
• December 20, 2001: Three 3-pointers in the final minute propel the Cards to a thrilling, 73-72 comeback win over Tennessee, after the Vols led by six with 36 seconds to go. Thousands of fans heading for the parking lot scrambled back into the building to witness the thrilling finish.
• December 28, 2002: Reece Gaines, Francisco Garcia, & Marvin Stone lead the Cards to an emphatic 81-63 blowout of #14 Kentucky on national television.
• March 14, 2003: Freshman Taquan Dean’s clutch three-pointer from the right wing gives the Cards the lead, and they would hold on to beat #16 Memphis, 78-75, in the Conference USA Tournament Semifinals in front of a raucous Freedom Hall crowd. The following day, the Cardinals would win their first-ever CUSA title with an 83-78 win over UAB in the championship game.
• December 13, 2003: Playing with a heavy heart after the death of his brother, Francisco Garcia scores 25 points to lead the Cardinals to a 73-65 victory over top-ranked Florida in the Billy Minardi Classic. Two weeks later, the Cards would beat another #1 team, knocking off Kentucky in Rupp Arena, 65-56.
• March 3, 2005: Hometown hero Larry O’Bannon scores 33 points on senior night to lead the Cards to a 94-82 win over #18 Charlotte and the CUSA regular season crown. Later that month, the Cards would advance to their first NCAA Final Four in 19 years, beating West Virginia in a thrilling Regional Final in Albuquerque, 93-85 in double overtime.
• February 9, 2008: In front of a white-clad crowd of 20,083, and a national “ESPN Gameday” audience, the Cards topple #6 Georgetown, 59-51, on their way to a 27-win season and an appearance in the East Regional Final.

We know there will be more exciting moments over the remaining two seasons in Freedom Hall. Let’s enjoy them all and get ready for the Downtown Arena which will provide a new atmosphere for our team and our fans.

LOUISVILLE, KY (September 3, 2008) – The Louisville Arena Authority today announced it has closed the transaction securing nearly $350 million in bond financing for Louisville’s new downtown arena.

Goldman Sachs & Co., chosen in January 2007, is the senior bond underwriter. Goldman Sachs has financed sports facilities for teams nationwide, including the New York Yankees, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Twins and the Orlando Magic.

Jim Host, chairman of the Louisville Arena Authority, Inc., participated in meetings with Goldman Sachs the week of August 25 to secure the $349,218,518.30 in bonds needed to finance construction of the downtown arena. The estimated net financing cost of the bonds is $585,768,000 with principal to be paid off over a period of 30 years. The bonds are insured by Assured Guaranty.

“I’m confident the involvement of Goldman Sachs will help ensure the success of constructing an arena that will attract sports enthusiasts and visitors from across the state and region,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s fitting that this arena will be the home of championship sports’ teams from the University of Louisville because it has been a tremendous team effort to make this project a reality. From Gov. Fletcher, Mayor Abramson, state legislators and local leaders to the arena authority, banks, underwriters, designers and construction workers, the team has worked together united by a common goal and vision for what this arena can mean for this Commonwealth.”

Today the money is in the hands of the bond trustee at U.S. Bank which won the right to be the trustee through a competitive bid process. The Arena financing was structured as all fixed rate with senior and subordinate bonds:

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• $292,280,000 in tax-exempt, fixed-rate bonds;

• $20,100,000 in taxable, fixed-rate bonds;

• $26,938,518.30 in tax-exempt, capital appreciation bonds;

• $9,900,000 in subordinate (non-insured) taxable, fixed rate bonds.

“Many people doubted that we could get the arena financed — but we’ve done it,” said Mayor Jerry Abramson. “This is a big day for our city and the entire state.”

“As we have said all along, this is one of the most unique sports facility financings in the country,” said Tom Rousakis of Goldman Sachs. “The Louisville Arena Authority and bond holders will benefit from the strength of the bond financing, which provides a diverse pledge of arena, state and local revenues. We are pleased to be a part of this terrific project.”

(Goldman Sachs has financed sports facilities for teams nationwide, including the New York Yankees, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Twins and the Orlando Magic.)

J.J.B Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC (Hilliard & Lyons), a Louisville-based stock brokerage firm played an important role in the Arena financing. “Hilliard & Lyons agreed to underwrite the subordinate bonds,” explained Host. “This was critical to completing the Arena financing.”

“It’s great to help the financing of projects like this in the community,” said Hilliard Lyons CEO James R. Allen. “Supporting local and regional development is consistent with Hilliard Lyons’ longstanding commitment to the region and to the city.”

Construction of the new arena remains on schedule with the site being cleared by October. The Arena is scheduled to be complete in November, 2010. The Humana site at 201 West Main Street was imploded to make room for the new arena on Saturday, July 19. Meanwhile, the current Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E) site on the arena property is currently undergoing demolition. The first events in the new arena, to be announced at a later date, are expected to take place in November, 2010.

“This is a great day for the University of Louisville,” said James Ramsey, President of U of L. “It is a day that’s been in the making for several years and the new arena will be in complete synergy with our variety of goals for downtown Louisville.”

During today’s Louisville Arena Authority meeting and press conference renderings provided by HOK Sport, the firm selected to design the 717,000 square-foot arena, were available for viewing.

For more information, please visit www.arenaauthority.com.

When Louisville’s new downtown Arena opens it will not only offer a 717,000 square-foot arena, but also one of the largest plazas of any arena in the country. During today’s Louisville Arena Authority meeting, HOK Sport, the firm selected to design the Arena, revealed renderings of the outdoor plaza that will bring new beauty and energy to the evolving vibrancy of downtown Louisville.

The one-and-a-half acre plaza is located on Main Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets. A unique fountain serves as the centerpiece and is appropriately designed in the shape of a basketball for the home of the University of Louisville basketball teams. The fountain consists of 45 jets, each containing lights programmed to illuminate the fountain with a range of color displays. The tree-lined and landscaped plaza offers plenty of shade and seating, making it an ideal location for downtown employees looking to relax during lunch breaks, Louisville visitors touring downtown attractions, as well as attendees at Arena events.

From the plaza, visitors may enjoy the artistic design and energy the Arena contributes to Louisville with its modern combination of glass and metal situated along the Ohio River and among a constantly developing downtown landscape.

“The design of the Arena has been inspired by the primary themes of movement and references to the river,” said David Reed, landscape architect with the local firm QK4. “These themes are reflected strongly in the design of the plaza - from the broad sweeping curves and circular forms to the elongated planting islands and stylized rock outcrops that make up the center seating area.”

The Arena Authority, QK4 and HOK Sport worked closely with the Downtown Development Corporation to create a design that complements the existing downtown public vision, as well as the DDC’s vision for the future.

“The Arena Authority and its designers have taken to heart the DDC’s, and the community’s, request to weave the Arena plaza into the fabric of downtown Louisville,” said Jim Welch, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the DDC. “With the announcement today of the plaza design, the Authority is making a fine addition to the energy and vitality of Main Street.”

The arena is scheduled to open November, 2010. For more information, please visit www.arenaauthority.com.

After meeting with members of O’Rourke Wrecking Company, the Construction Committee will recommend to the full Arena Authority that O’Rourke be awarded the full demolition contract and be allowed on site effective Wednesday, June 11, 2008. The wrecking company bid $3,922,000 for total demolition and has currently completed 38% of the project, which has been suspended since Wednesday, June 4.

Bidding for the demolition contract was open to the five companies who responded to the initial RFP in January. Godsey Asbestos Consultants recommended O’Rourke, who was then approved by the Construction Committee. O’Rourke was awarded the contract due to the company’s experience with implosion, determined to be the preferred method of demolition, and their past work with utility projects. The site includes underground utility lines and above-ground transformers, switches and distribution equipment that requires careful expertise during demolition. In addition to their experience, O’Rourke has received no OSHA violations in the last 10 years.

Louisville, KY – The first look at the interior of Louisville’s new downtown arena was unveiled today at the monthly meeting of the Louisville Arena Authority by HOK Sport, the arena’s architect/design firm.

The seating configuration was termed “the most unique basketball-seating bowl for the nation’s best college basketball town,” by HOK Sport’s Steve Hotujac, principal in charge of the project. The configuration shows more seats in the lower bowl, and better site lines throughout than Freedom Hall.

“The University of Louisville, NCAA and other basketball event fans will absolutely have the best viewing experience,” said Hotujac. “Our charge from the Arena Authority was to design the ultimate fan experience with the best sight lines for multi-purpose events, and we believe this design addresses that challenge.”

LAA building committee chairman Dan Ulmer said, “HOK has made tremendous progress in a short amount of time and we are very comfortable with their recommendations. The members of the arena authority know that the fans and general public have high expectations for the arena and this design meets that challenge.”

major factors in selection 

LOUISVILLE, KY – The nation’s third largest sports builder has been selected to build the Louisville Arena. M. A. Mortenson Company, based in Minneapolis, was the choice of the Louisville Arena Authority at today’s monthly meeting. 

“Their track record of not just meeting but exceeding minority hiring goals really caught our attention,” said Dan Ulmer, chairman the authority’s building committee. “Seventy-five percent of the work force will be hired in the local MSA which translates into a real commitment to Louisville and to the Commonwealth of Kentucky.” Mortenson is recognized as an industry leader in community participation, with at least eight of their most recent projects exceeding minority and local hiring goals. 

Mortenson’s fixed fee for construction of both the arena and parking garage was negotiated at $7 million which is 2.8 percent of the project’s cost. In addition, the Louisville Arena Authority will have complete review of all construction costs prior to work being awarded. Ulmer noted that the company is experienced in finishing projects on-time and under-budget. 

Currently, Mortenson is the general contractor for Kansas City’s Sprint Center arena, along with HOK Sport and PC Sports, the architect and owner’s representative for the Louisville Arena, respectively. “We have worked 

extensively with HOK and PC Sports on a variety of projects, and know this will be a great combination for Louisville and for Kentucky,” said Mortenson Senior Vice President John Wood. 

In addition to the Sprint Center, Mortenson’s sport projects include the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Pepsi Center and Coors Field in Denver, Xcell Energy Center in St. Paul, Target Center in Minneapolis and Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando. 

“The Louisville Arena is one of the most exciting projects in the country, and we are proud to be a part of the team that will make it all happen,” said Wood. 

Construction on Louisville’s 22,000 seat, 700,000 square foot arena is scheduled to begin in Summer, 2008, with completion in Fall of 2010. 

LOUISVILLE, KY – The Louisville Arena Authority today approved the selection of HOK Sport to design a new downtown multi-purpose arena. 

“HOK Sport has designed more than 135 arenas around the world, so we were very comfortable with their extensive knowledge of the project type,” said Dan Ulmer, who chairs the Building Committee for the Louisville Arena Authority. 

HOK Sport will be paid $13,850,000 in set fees (including expenses) to design the $252 million arena. Ulmer noted that the pay structure amounted to six percent of the total construction cost. “The architect-design fee was originally estimated at 10 percent of the construction cost and it came in well under those projections. It’s a significant savings for this project and we’re getting the best in the business.” 

The world’s leading public assembly design firm, HOK Sport has worked with professional and collegiate clients around the globe. With vast experience in arena design, HOK Sport understands the role of an arena as that of a civic icon. The firm’s noted arena work includes 56 collegiate arenas; 48 civic arenas; and 32 professional arenas such as the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, United Center in Chicago, Pepsi Center in Denver; Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul; Toyota Center in Houston; Sprint Center in Kansas City; and Prudential Center in Newark. 

Louisville’s 22,000 seat, 700,000 square foot arena will feature multiple amenities, including a team store, restaurant, 72 private suites, and a University of Louisville Alumni Room, along with a practice basketball court. The design team will consider sustainable design elements within the parameters of the project budget. 

“The visible waterfront site provides an opportunity for us to create a signature design for the city of Louisville,” said Steve Hotujac, AIA, principal in charge of the project. “As we start the design process, we seek to understand the city’s distinctions and then interpret that into the arena’s design.” HOK will work closely with the city’s development and planning agencies, and seeks public input through the Louisville Arena Authority website, www.arenaauthority.com. 

There are several local businesses on the architect-design team, including Louis & Henry Group, Rangaswamy & Associates (MBE Structural) and Swope Design Group (interior design). 

“In addition to HOK’s experience and their ability to provide a strong project team, they are committed to meeting our Affirmative Action Policy,” said Ulmer. The authority’s policy sets a goal of 20 percent minority-owned business participation, including five percent participation by women-owned businesses.