Since its inception, the Utica Memorial Auditorium has been an entertainment hub for the Mohawk Valley region, hosting thousands of community functions, concerts and sporting events over the years. But the AUD's historical significance rests not in who's visited, but in the building itself.  Cara Thomas has more about its unique architectural structure, in this edition of Explore New York.

UTICA, N.Y. -- As you look up into the rafters of the Utica Memorial Auditorium, it's doesn't look like there's much keeping the roof from caving in.

"There's no L-beams in the ceiling, they're all cables. And it's, you can compare it to a bicycle wheel,” said Carl Annese, the Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority chairman.

Built in the late 1950s, the AUD was former Utica Mayor John McKennen's idea.

"He wanted a place where people could watch sports, entertainment, things of that sort,” said Annese.

But the design rested in the hands of world renowned structural engineer Lev Zetlin, and he had quite a few obstacles to overcome.

"The old Erie Canal used to go right through the center of the building,” Annese said.

"The soil they used to fill in the Erie Canal was too soft. If you built a normal building, normal arena, normal auditorium it would have sunk right into the ground,” said Mark Caswell, the Utica Comets director of communications.

Up until this point in time, cable suspension systems had only successfully been used on bridges. But this type of architecture was the key to having a much lighter roof.

It took nearly three years to build the facility -- and it's first event was held in 1960.

"JFK spoke here, there were countless great 80s concerts here, David Lee Roth's signature is in the ceiling of the AUD. So there's a lot of history in its building,” Caswell said.  

The building's layout proved to be ideal, especially for sports fans. The cable suspension roof allows for perfect sight lines no matter where you sit.

"The experience you really can't beat as far as an arena," said Caswell.

Zetlin's design became so popular; the AUD was soon used as a prototype for NHL areas, including Madison Square Garden and the LA Forum. In 2011, the AUD was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

"In the total world, there are only 200 people, or rather buildings that have that honor,” said Annese.

It is an iconic landmark that will always be a backbone for history and entertainment in the city of Utica.

Over the last few years, the Utica Memorial Auditorium Authority renovated the entire facility, from top to bottom. It cost more than $9 million. But leaders say it's worth it, to ensure this landmark will be around many more years.