Capilouto releases statement on Rupp report

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UK President Eli Capilouto

The Rupp Arena, Arts and Entertainment District Task Force released a final report on the proposed renovations to downtown Lexington.

The renovation would cost $250 to $300 million and said the project “will require a mix of local, state and private funding for construction,” according to the report.

UK President Eli Capilouto said in a statement that he wants to put state funding toward campus needs rather than the Rupp Arena renovation. His statement in full:

“Our position has not changed. Our steadfast focus has been – and will continue to be – the revitalization of our campus core. We have concerns about anything that competes for state dollars with that focus. Revitalizing our campus represents the best way we can honor the Kentucky Promise of ensuring the best possible undergraduate education for the Commonwealth’s students and future leaders as well as the kind of research that addresses the state’s challenges. As a result, everyone needs to clearly understand the specifics of what the proposed Rupp Arena, Arts and Entertainment District will cost and who would ultimately pay for it.”