The Centennial Authority board, which owns PNC Arena, was presented with options for a $300-million renovation project. The board must decide which options it will fund.
www.wralsportsfan.com
Many of the ideas have been considered or bandied about before. The biggest question remains: How many of the proposed and coveted projects can be done with the $300-million budget is the big question?
The board already tabled an idea for expanded office space, calling it too expensive. No prices or estimates were included in the presentation.
"While these pictures are incredible, we still have to find a way to pay for all this," Isley said.
Some of the biggest changes would occur on the north side of the building where tour buses, broadcast trucks and big loading trucks are currently limited by the lack of space. The expansion would help align the arena with NHL standards, make it more appealing to bigger-name musical acts and create more secure parking spots for players and staff.
The designers presented three options for remodeling and renovating the exterior of the building, with the largest option creating changes at the east, south and west entrances to the building, including a massive lobby at the southern entrance.
"Some of the things we want to do we may not be able to do," Isley said.
Reading between the lines here, sounds like a significant portion of the budget will be allocated to be the things the fans don't see. Which, it will be good to be able to get bigger artists to the area, but on the other hand, this is a 25 year old arena absolutely showing its age. One thing I am noticing from the posted images is that they aren't going to do anything to the main concourse outside of removing and filling in of half the existing staircases to the upper levels.
Also disappointed to see a planned concourse refresh for the upper concourse but not the lower. They both badly need one, and I would say that the crowding in the lower bowl makes expansion there a little more necessary, and I'm not sure the South Expansion is enough to alleviate it.
Anyway, here are some more pics:
Lower Budget facade:
Full Budget facade:
Full budget South Lobby:
Beer Garden next to the Entrance?
Given the proposal has a similar sized venue on the Southeast Approach, I wonder if that is where The Eye would be moving?