Construction is almost complete on the finish line for Indiana’s bicentennial torch relay.
Bicentennial Plaza on the west side of the statehouse has been more than 100 years in the making. It was originally proposed in 1913 as Centennial Plaza for the state’s 100th birthday, with a design by architect Kurt Vonnegut Sr. Bicentennial Commission executive director Perry Hammock says it was never built because the state couldn’t acquire the land.
The state eventually did gain ownership and built the Indiana Government Center next door to the statehouse– essentially duplicating Vonnegut’s original vision, but with two buildings instead of four. Hammock says the design for the plaza bears strong similarities to the rest of the centennial design, with a pedestrian mall along what was Senate Avenue, and a gathering place at the center marked by a fountain. Bicentennial planners have added two large sculptures, including a 25-foot-high artist’s interpretation of the torch on the state flag.
The close of the Bicentennial relay on October 15 will include a symbolic lighting of the sculpture, which will stay lit around the clock with L-E-D lighting.
Workers are putting finishing touches on the sculptures and doing some landscaping work.