Indian Center officials want to build a new $12 million, 46,000-square-foot home and renovate their current headquarters. If the ambitious plan is realized, the new building would go up west of the current center, on the powwow grounds.

The powwow grounds would move north of the current center, said Executive Director Clyde Tyndall.

The existing 22,000-square-foot building would be used for other nonprofits that might want to lease space, he said.

He said Indian Center employees have outgrown their 1980-built home.

“We’ve got people almost in cubby holes,” Tyndall said. “We’ve been planning this project for about a year now.”

The Indian Center was founded in 1969, initially operating out of offices above what is now Knickerbockers at Ninth and O streets and later in a building near 20th and M streets.

A $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration helped pay for construction of the building at 1100 Military Road. Indian Center officials are hoping to again get federal money to build a new center.

Tyndall said the center will submit an application for $3 million in New Markets Tax Credits, and officials hope to secure a $3 million bank loan and $6 million in grants to pay for the rest.