INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana leaders are seeking proposals for a bicentennial plaza near the Statehouse on which many of the 2016 statehood celebrations would occur.

The Department of Administration has issued a request for information for the plaza to gauge the feasibility of such a project.

The Indianapolis Business Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1neYlAx ) Gov. Mike Pence has encouraged the Indiana Bicentennial Commission to consider bicentennial-related capital projects. Pence was a history major at Hanover College.

The request calls for a $2 million construction budget and asks those interested to incorporate native Indiana materials. Proposals also should recognize the 92 counties and include a water feature, a time capsule and a torch light.

The administration department also wants to create a welcome center at the state library.