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Eases Traffic; Adds Aesthetics
Fountains, elegant landscaping and LED lighting effects will capture attention when Stephens Center guests experience the $3.3 million improvement to the facility’s main entryway, currently under construction.
“More than a million visitors a year pass through these doors,” said Christopher Stephens, general
manager of the Donald E. Stephens Convention and Conference Center. “We want this area to be
more than just functional. We want it to be the most convenient, easily accessed and elegant
entryway we can create – one that is appropriate for one of the nation’s top convention centers.”
Aria Group Architects LLC, from Oak Park, Illinois, is completing the expansive 38,600-square-foot, covered circle drive, which includes two multi-door entrances, one for the convention center and one for the conference center.
“The space, when completed, will go well beyond being a simple entryway,” explained Jim Lencioni, president of Aria Group.
“Now, it is not only functional, but an elegant welcoming entrance. It is based upon the things in
the original design, plus some additional features that will make it a truly spectacular arrival experience, similar to venues people see in Las Vegas and other areas,” explained Mr. Lencioni.
Beautiful finishes with various lighting effects, flowers with fountains, and special lighting are the
primary features that will complete the covered space. “It’s a contemporary, clean dynamic design
that will be changed for varying events and seasons,” Mr. Lencioni explained.
The architects have improved the traffic flow and added additional access to River Road. “Vehicles
were entering and exiting through the same area,” Mr. Lencioni said. “Now, the original drivein
area is a dedicated entrance only, and we have added a dedicated exit area. That addition has
improved the flow of traffic through the space, and on and off River Road.”
Staging for the valet, buses and limos has been improved and accommodates a new feature with fountain, landscaping and a light show.The large centerpiece decoration is comprised of a central fountain, 26 feet in diameter, surrounded by four fountains, each 14 feet in diameter. The landscaping is primarily fountains and LED lighting that will change color with plantings, adjacent to the fountains, that will be seasonal and renewed constantly. The ceiling will have quite a few lighting effects in it, also, and various changes in lights and colors.
An advanced ventilation system removes vehicle exhaust.
“We have been working around the convention center’s meetings and tradeshow schedule,” said Mr. Lecioni. “We expect to have the project completed by early summer.”
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