Site work begins on city's Special Events Center

Site work is under way for the new city Special Events Center south of State Street at 20th Street. The $17-million center will be more than 50,000 square feet and connect to the new Isle of Capri hotel, shown in the background, via a skyway bridge over the railroad tracks. Under the proposed agreement with the Isle, the city and Isle will split the cost of building the facility and the Isle will manage the facility, absorbing any operating losses. The city will have three "free" days of usage each year, under the proposed agreement. The city council earlier this month delayed action on a downtown streetscaping project until the agreement with the Isle is finalized. Click on the "Read More" link for additional photos.