Dome demolition details announced

The signs of the 25-year-old RCA Dome are coming down next week. The building which helped lure the Indianapolis Colts here from Baltimore will follow. 

The Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority this afternoon announced detailed plans for demolishing the RCA Dome to make room for an expansion of the Indiana Convention Center. Taking down the Dome is expected to include a combination of traditional demolition and targeted implosion. 

“Last October, we announced the steps and timetable for the removal of the Dome and expansion of the Convention Center,” said David Frick, board chairman of the ISCBA. “We’re now able to provide more of the details involved with the project, which will be completed by fall, 2010.”

According to the project’s construction manager, a joint venture of Shiel Sexton/Powers and Sons, the process of demolishing the Dome started in January, as previously announced, with the relocation of major electrical, steam and chilled water lines crossing the site, plus the relocation of a major sewer in South Street. In addition, combined electrical and mechanical systems serving the Convention Center and RCA Dome needed to be separated. This work is about 90 percent completed and is expected to be finished by early summer.

“In early May, the public will see removal of the RCA signs on the Dome with the street barricades set in place shortly thereafter,” said Tom Scheele, senior vice president of Shiel Sexton Inc. “We then expect to begin demolishing offices, restrooms, meeting rooms and storage areas inside the Dome before the end of spring, which involves the removal of components that don’t comprise the structural fame itself – items such as drywall, acoustical ceilings, doors, carpet and light fixtures.”

Next, according to Scheele, will be the salvage and memorabilia removal starting in July and a month later the deflation of the roof. “Deflation of the roof will be a visual reminder that we are now initiating the structural demolition sequence,” said Scheele.

“Once about two-thirds of the demolition is complete, new construction and Dome demolition will be going on concurrently,” said Scheele. The total demolition is expected to last about five months and will move from north to south so construction can begin on the new three-story Georgia Street entrance expansion. 

The Indianapolis Colts, who moved from Baltimore and began playing in the Dome in 1984, will open up their season this fall in the $725 million Lucas Oil Stadium, less than a mile south of their former home.