NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
More than a year-and-a-half after breaking ground, the half-billion dollar Music City Center is more than halfway complete.
Officials told Nashville's News 2 each day around 1,000 workers are on site at the 16-acre project located just south of the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.
According to spokesperson Holly McCall, construction which is around 55% complete is "on budget" and "on time" for its scheduled March 2013 opening.
"We think about [the opening] all the time, [because] shows [have] already booked them," she explained.
McCall said a "topping out" ceremony is expected to be in with 30 to 45 days.
"Its a big deal for construction companies because it represents the final beams of steel put into the project," she explained.
The building's roof and enclosing glass and metal are expected to be completed by late spring.
The $585 million, 1.2 million square foot project will feature a ballroom and 60 meeting rooms of varying sizes.
Previous Stories:
Nov. 2, 2011: Construction on Music City Center reaches halfway mark
June 13, 2011: Music City Center making fast progress
March 31, 2011: Road construction to continue around MCC
Feb. 17, 2011: Downtown road construction drags on
Jan. 20, 2011: Construction workers claim too many out-of-state jobs at MCC
Jan. 16, 2011: Downtown intersection reduced to 2 lanes for construction
Jan. 13, 2011: Music City Center making fast progress
Sept. 9, 2010: Construction continues on new Music City Center
Aug. 24, 2010: Omni to build $250M convention center hotel
March 22, 2010: Official groundbreaking held for Music City Center
March 11, 2010: Music City Center creates construction jobs
March 9, 2010: Blasting begins for new Music City Center
Feb. 26, 2010: Convention center construction hits full throttle
Feb. 8, 2010: Crews tear down first building in Music City Center's footprint
Feb. 7, 2010: Auto shop relocates to accommodate convention center
Feb. 4, 2010: Find alternative parking during downtown construction
Jan. 21, 2010: Proposed Music City Center plans first conventions
Jan. 20, 2010: Music City Center, Medical mart concerns addressed
Jan. 20, 2010: Convention center given green light: Now what?
Jan. 20, 2010: Convention center approval clears way for medical mart
Jan. 19, 2010: Convention center approved, plans move forward
Jan. 19, 2010: Council approves convention center financing package
