Confirmed with Link: Hurricanes extend PNC Arena lease for 20 years, Govt allocates $300m to arena renovation, Gale Force at least $800m to land development of the complex

[Identity404]

All 3 of them have way more fun areas to play in outside the arena. Naturally the Caps' is close to DC proper.

The Capital One Arena is literally smack dab in the middle of DC, not “close to DC proper”, yet somehow (thx dc city council) that area of DC sucks now and isn’t a place you’d want to go to unless it’s for a basketball or hockey game.

 

[cptjeff]

The Capital One Arena is literally smack dab in the middle of DC, not “close to DC proper”, yet somehow (thx dc city council) that area of DC sucks now and isn’t a place you’d want to go to unless it’s for a basketball or hockey game.

They've actually made great strides in cleaning it up in recent months.

The DC Council did go way too far down the 'it's not really crime if they're not shooting anyone and shouldn't be punished' route. There's rightfully been significant pushback to that, and they've started tightening back up. Leonsis trying to move the arena to the VA side of the river also whacked some of 'em across the face. Actions have consequences? Who knew!

 

[Identity404]

They've actually made great strides in cleaning it up in recent months.

The DC Council did go way too far down the 'it's not really crime if they're not shooting anyone and shouldn't be punished' route. There's rightfully been significant pushback to that, and they've started tightening back up. Leonsis trying to move the arena to the VA side of the river also whacked some of 'em across the face. Actions have consequences? Who knew!

Depending on which DC subreddit I’m reading DC is either a great place to live with some of the best culture, restaurants, etc in the country or a dystopian Detroit from Robocop. I think it was a lot closer to the former before COVID, and agree it’s trending back in the right direction now.

 

[cptjeff]

Depending on which DC subreddit I’m reading DC is either a great place to live with some of the best culture, restaurants, etc in the country or a dystopian Detroit from Robocop. I think it was a lot closer to the former before COVID, and agree it’s trending back in the right direction now.

Even during the down years, it's still mostly the former with a little bit of the latter to spice things up. But seriously, stick to the tourist areas and you're fine. Maybe a little more public disorder than there was, but nothing is gonna happen to you and you can enjoy your $18 cocktail in peace. The violent stuff is still pretty much entirely the same gangbangers shooting other gangbangers stuff it always was, just more of it.

 

[Identity404]

Even during the down years, it's still mostly the former with a little bit of the latter to spice things up. But seriously, stick to the tourist areas and you're fine. Maybe a little more public disorder than there was, but nothing is gonna happen to you and you can enjoy your $18 cocktail in peace. The violent stuff is still pretty much entirely the same gangbangers shooting other gangbangers stuff it always was, just more of it.

I live in SE DC (Navy Yard), my original comment was mostly directed to the chain restaurants and bars in the area. Outside of Capital One Arena, and the handful of times I’ve been to the American Art Museum and Regal Theater, I’ve never found a compelling reason to be in the area. The uptick of crime and general seediness kinda magnified that a bit.

 

[cptjeff]

I live in SE DC (Navy Yard), my original comment was mostly directed to the chain restaurants and bars in the area. Outside of Capital One Arena, and the handful of times I’ve been to the American Art Museum and Regal Theater, I’ve never found a compelling reason to be in the area. The uptick of crime and general seediness kinda magnified that a bit.

LOL, I didn't even look at your location tag. My bad.

Rocket Bar is cool and some friends of mine used to occasionally hang out there. But yeah, the National Portrait Gallery is the main attraction, my favorite museum in the city. Never actually been to the theater there, I don't get to many movies. Usually go to Alamo. Cuz beer.

 

[Identity404]

LOL, I didn't even look at your location tag. My bad.

Rocket Bar is cool and some friends of mine used to occasionally hang out there. But yeah, the National Portrait Gallery is the main attraction, my favorite museum in the city. Never actually been to the theater there, I don't get to many movies. Usually go to Alamo. Cuz beer.

Oh yeah, forgot about Rocket Bar… I went on a few dates there what seems like a lifetime ago now. Cool place for sure.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1819070754652397663

 

[HisIceness]

I'm all for the arena bar at the 300s for two reasons

1. The open air concept thing is great and a fun place to watch the action.

2. It will hopefully get rid of some of the obnoxious visiting fans that sit up there. Maybe not, but we can dream

 

[Svechhammer]

PNC Arena project ideas released. What can be done for $300M? :: WRALSportsFan.com

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?

 

[CandyCanes]

https://wwwcache.wralsportsfan.com/asset/hockey/nhl/hurricanes/2024/08/01/21554524/20240730_CA_Board_Presentation_Final_Draft-DMID1-63t75w6ad.pdf

Here's a link to the full proposal. I'm surprised there's so much effort put into the exterior of the building. For a building that's not in a city or you can't even see from the highway, I'm not sure why exterior matters so much. Maybe it matters once you factor in the development outside the arena.

As mentioned above, I was hoping to see a lot more done in the lower concourse, and don't see a ton of improvements here for that. The exception being the front lobby, which looks nice. Expanded team store will also be great. Also think the Beer Garden could be great.

The biggest L seems to be that the ladies are getting 20 more stalls, and the men get 0 more. The mens bathroom lines need some love too!

 

[HisIceness]

Full budget or bust

 

[Svechhammer]

The biggest L seems to be that the ladies are getting 20 more stalls, and the men get 0 more. The mens bathroom lines need some love too!

No but for real, this

When the arena is packed, which is now is most nights, the line just to pee at intermission can last 15 minutes. To see that there are no plans to alleviate pressure on the men's restrooms is incredibly disappointing given the renovation budget.

 

[CandyCanes]

No but for real, this

When the arena is packed, which is now is most nights, the line just to pee at intermission can last 15 minutes. To see that there are no plans to alleviate pressure on the men's restrooms is incredibly disappointing given the renovation budget.

Yeah I agree. They’re definitely losing revenue. There was a handful of times this past season where I had to debate if I wanted to get more food or if I wanted to use the bathroom. Bathroom usually won.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Did they show plans for 200 level or is there no funds for that.

 

[Svechhammer]

Did they show plans for 200 level or is there no funds for that.

The PDF that @CandyCanes posted goes into a lot of detail. For the 200 level it looks to just be removing half the stairwells

Granted, reading it over again it does look like they are planning to somehow make the concourse in each level bigger by removing those stairwells. But how they hope to accomplish that I'll need to figure out, because I don't see plans to move current concession venues back, so I wonder if that will actually reaolve choke points all over the arena. Especially when the bathrooms are some of the biggest issues around crowding and they aren't doing anything to the men's restrooms.

 

[chaz4hockey]

The PDF that @CandyCanes posted goes into a lot of detail. For the 200 level it looks to just be removing half the stairwells

Granted, reading it over again it does look like they are planning to somehow make the concourse in each level bigger by removing those stairwells. But how they hope to accomplish that I'll need to figure out, because I don't see plans to move current concession venues back, so I wonder if that will actually reaolve choke points all over the arena. Especially when the bathrooms are some of the biggest issues around crowding and they aren't doing anything to the men's restrooms.

Thanks.

Early on they had discussed replacing traditional seating in some mid-ice and behind goal 200 sections and then building amenity driven locations instead.

I still wonder how they are going to fit a hotel, more housing, a live nation location all the while keeping enough parking for football games, let alone hockey.

Unbelievably, $300M doesn’t go as far these days so I suspect things such as cheaper stadium exterior views etc will be the choice.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Luke’s description of proposed look suggested the old Nassau Coliseum…ugh

https://x.com/i/web/status/1819178565813837859

 

[HisIceness]

Luke’s description of proposed look suggested the old Nassau Coliseum…ugh

https://x.com/i/web/status/1819178565813837859

Well now I don't like it

 

[Borsig]

So are the 300s getting more seats or less after all this? I usually sit around 328 or so on the first row.

 

[Svechhammer]

Luke’s description of proposed look suggested the old Nassau Coliseum…ugh

https://x.com/i/web/status/1819178565813837859

Lol, I mean he's not wrong

Personally I think it's a blending of Nassau Coliseum and Dorton Arena.

Also, I think @chaz4hockey hits on a good point. Can't get too wrapped up in what the exterior looks like given the entertainment district will be built up around it. I definitely think the L concept is probably best for what they are trying to do, and if you turned the area between CF and PNC into a plaza lined with stores and bars, would be a really cool look. But, maybe the best option is the S/M concept to be able to set up an outdoor bar/patio overlooking the plaza above the main entry.

So are the 300s getting more seats or less after all this? I usually sit around 328 or so on the first row.

Less, as they are planning to remove at least 3 corner sections to create the open bowl bar.

Wouldn't be shocked if they end up doing something similar in another corner.

 

[CandyCanes]

So are the 300s getting more seats or less after all this? I usually sit around 328 or so on the first row.

Less seats. More standing room

 

[CandyCanes]

The arena upgrades are missing a giant Rod Brind'Amour statue out front.

 

[tarheelhockey]

The biggest L seems to be that the ladies are getting 20 more stalls, and the men get 0 more. The mens bathroom lines need some love too!

That’s absolutely crazy. The lines for the men’s room are FAR longer to the point of not being comparable. Effectively the women’s rooms will have zero line while the men are wrapped around the concourse.

I realize it will be different for dates like concerts or women-focused events, but there are upwards of 75 sports events a year at PNC and the bathroom dynamic is very consistent across all of them. They’re going to end up with drunk men going into the women’s room so they don’t piss themselves.

 

[Svechhammer]

That’s absolutely crazy. The lines for the men’s room are FAR longer to the point of not being comparable. Effectively the women’s rooms will have zero line while the men are wrapped around the concourse.

I realize it will be different for dates like concerts or women-focused events, but there are upwards of 75 sports events a year at PNC and the bathroom dynamic is very consistent across all of them. They’re going to end up with drunk men going into the women’s room so they don’t piss themselves.

Looking through the docs, it does appear that they need to install more to bring it up to code.

But still, to not do anything to add more men's facilities is bullshit. In just the 100 level lounge the line for the men's room always stretches the length of the room in intermission when the arena is full, and makes going from point A to B very difficult. That impacts everyone in the area, and I know it's really not much better in the main concourse.