Renovation planned for Kentucky's Rupp Arena

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Rupp Arena's latest proposed makeover will make it a stand-alone facility that state and local officials hope will reinvent downtown.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, mayor Jim Gray and officials from Lexington Center on Wednesday announced a renovation plan that will separate the 37-year-old home of Kentucky men's basketball from the adjoining convention center, which will be expanded 100,000 square feet. Lexington Center Board chairman Brent Rice said a funding plan will be finalized within 45 days.

Rupp's 23,500-seat capacity will remain but the renovation adds chair-back seats to the upper deck, expanded concourses and a new center-hanging scoreboard.