FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP): Officials are moving ahead with a planned $16 million expansion of the Expo Hall at Fort Wayne's Memorial Coliseum.
 
       The Allen County Council gave preliminary approval Thursday to a plan for borrowing money for the project and repaying it over 20 years with sales and income taxes generated by the arena and nearby facilities.
 
       Coliseum general manager Randy Brown tells The Journal Gazette that the Expo Hall is expected to be under construction much of next year. The project will add about 27,000 square feet to the current hall and more meeting rooms.
 
       Brown says the expansion will allow the coliseum to go after some bigger events.
 
       The county attorney says the financing plan still needs approval from state officials and a final endorsement from the county council.