Rushmore Plaza Expansion?

Officials in Rapid City, S.D., are considering expansion of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center and how the estimated $150 million project should be financed.

The proposed expansion includes turning the 10,000-capacity Don Barnett Arena, opened with the facility in 1977, into a space for special events and other functions, building a 15,000- to 18,000-capacity arena to attract major acts to the area and two parking garages.

The project could be partially financed through the city’s Vision Fund, a 1-cent sales tax economic development fund approved by voters in the 1970s. The Rapid City Council will further discuss the proposal at a later date.