Louisville Metro Officials Join in Unveiling New Scale Model at Morton's The Steakhouse

LOUISVILLE (June 30, 2003) – Representatives from the Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Metro Government and Morton’s, The Steakhouse gathered today to announce the Muhammad Ali Center building and plaza design plans during a special reception at Morton’s. The event took place with Muhammad Ali, his wife Lonnie Ali, Mayor Jerry Abramson, Muhammad Ali Center Board Chair Ina Brown Bond, Ali Center President & CEO Michael J. Fox, Morton’s Restaurant Group Chairman, President and CEO Allen J. Bernstein, Ali Center Youth Council Representative Ashlee Clark, and Morton’s Vice President for Communications, Roger Drake, all in attendance.

Ali Center supporters, patrons, and civic and community leaders looked on as final building design plans were revealed for the first time, and a scale model of the building was unveiled. The project includes several new features, including a $6 million public plaza and unique exterior building façade.

The plaza will provide downtown visitors, workers, and Ali Center guests with a new and vibrant waterfront space and will supply an attractive and direct pathway between Main Street, Washington Street, and the Belvedere. Amenities include amphitheatre seating, an indoor/outdoor café, a water wall and reflecting pool, and a two-level water feature culminating in a dramatic glass fountain. The Plaza is designed by the firm of EDAW, Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia, in association with Athena Tascha of Washington, D.C., and Architectural Glass Art of Louisville, Kentucky.

Also revealed for the first time is the “wrapping” of the building – a series of colored ceramic tiles suggesting a montage of images of Muhammad Ali when seen from afar. A closer view of the building reveals the tiles “broken down” into an abstract mosaic pattern of warm colors welcoming guests visiting the pedestrian environment of the public plaza. The view from Interstate 64, the Ohio River, and the bridges northward will be an image of Muhammad Ali lighting the torch at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Special nighttime lighting will illuminate the building and establish it as a prominent fixture of Louisville’s skyline.

Officials discussed the impact of the building on Louisville’s growing skyline, as well as the main street corridor. The building’s architects are Beyer Blinder Belle (New York) and Bravura Architects (Louisville), with schematic design by Lee H. Skolnick, Beyer Blinder Belle Joint Venture (New York).

Mayor Jerry Abramson applauded the partnership effort and the support of Louisville’s residents. “This building and plaza will come to symbolize many things, including Muhammad Ali’s ability to bring people together and create unity and celebrate diversity,” he said. Louisville Metro Government is a major partner in the project, providing the $10 million public parking garage, and the $6 million public plaza.

Lonnie Ali was impressed by the overwhelming support of the crowd. “This is much more than a building to Muhammad and me, so it was important to us that the design be both unique and welcoming. We want the community to feel that the Ali Center is yours as much as it is ours.”

Ina Brown Bond, board chair of the Center added: “We look forward to watching this beautiful building fill in the city’s skyline, and it is my hope that for years to come it is a landmark of community pride and involvement.”

Allen J. Bernstein, chairman, president and CEO of Morton’s Restaurant Group, expressed enthusiasm and pride of Morton’s support of the Center. “This is an opportunity for us to witness history and participate in a project that means so much to so many people. We applaud Muhammad Ali, the Center that bears his name and his vision, as well as his wife Lonnie, who has been integral in the Center’s development,” he said.

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Morton’s, The Steakhouse is the only designated Associate Corporate Sponsor of the Muhammad Ali Center. For the third consecutive year, the restaurant has demonstrated continued support of the Center, and received the Associate Corporate Sponsor designation in 2002. Founded by Klaus Fritsch and Arnie Morton in Chicago in 1978, Morton’s Restaurant Group is the most successful multiple-location, company-owned upscale restaurant in the United States. There are 65 Morton’s restaurants worldwide.