Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium is undergoing a series of renovations meant to improve the visitor experience.

Planned improvements for the $14 million renovation include an expanded lobby and retail area, renovated bathrooms, a cafe in the outdoor plaza and an interactive multimedia tour. The main auditorium will mainly go untouched.

"We are making this investment now so that the Ryman Auditorium is better equipped to accommodate the current and future demand we are seeing from both a tourism and concert attendance perspective," Ryman Hospitality President and CEO Colin Reed says.

Contractors broke ground on the renovation on Oct. 1, with completion set for June 2015. The Ryman will not be closing its doors while the work is being done.

The building was originally constructed in 1892 by steamboat magnate Thomas G. Ryman, whose statue has been temporarily removed during renovations. The expansion includes a new brick-and-glass structure that will take its place on the newer side of the building, which was renovated during a project in 1994.

The Ryman was the home of the Grand Ole Opry for decades and is known commonly as the "Mother Church of Country Music."

More information about the renovation process and the history of the Ryman can be found from Nashville's Tennessean.

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