Muhammad Ali Center Unveils Architectural Design Plans

Designing a building that portrays the international significance of Muhammad Ali, and that lives up to the ambitious goals and mission of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, was a major challenge. On April 11, 2002, Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie, Vice-Chair of the Muhammad Ali Board, and Ina Bond, Chair of the Board, revealed the new building plans of the $41 million structure that will become the permanent physical legacy of Muhammad Ali. Lonnie Ali also provided an overview of what Center guests from around the world-both on-site and online-can expect in terms of exhibitory, personal interface and development, and educational programming.

The Center's architect is New York City-based Beyer Blinder Belle, in consultation with Lee H. Skolnick-also of New York-and Bravura Corporation, a Louisville-based architectural firm. The Exhibit Developer for the Center is Formations, Inc., in Portland, Oregon, and Executive Designer is Lee H. Skolnick. Chief Curator is Dr. Susan Shaffer Nahmias of Phoenix, Arizona.

In introductory remarks, Louisville's Mayor David Armstrong, said "I couldn't be more pleased that we are able to help develop this rich property and to honor a hometown hero." The city will be building the Center's 450-space parking facility and the plaza podium.

Highlights of the 93,000 square ft., six-level facility are, two entrance plazas, a combination of graphics, projections, screening, and lighting on the exterior of the building, and the Center's major icon, a three-story circular 'Olympic torch' that will "explode" out of the top of the building-a symbol of the life journey of Muhammad Ali, who went far beyond traditional boundaries to be "the greatest."

The Center will be built along the banks of the Ohio River and, when completed in 2004, will include 24,000 square feet of exhibit space; educational classrooms and distance learning facilities; an orientation theatre; interactive multimedia learning experiences; talkback stations; technological personalized "guides"; auditorium, five exploratory galleries, a temporary gallery, a library and archives area; function rooms for up to 300 people, retail shop, and a café.

In her remarks, Lonnie Ali said that for many years, Muhammad has "dreamed of creating a place to share, teach, and inspire people to be their best and to pursue their dreams," and that the Muhammad Ali Center would "contain the heart and soul of this aspiration."

Initial work on the parking garage has already begun, and construction of the new Muhammad Ali Center building will begin in early 2003, once the parking area is completed. The new site is expected to open in mid-2004.