Proposed PNC Arena renovations are moving in a different direction, as a more ambitious expansion that includes a new restaurant and larger Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) team store are proposed.
The renovations are still very much in the planning stages; there’s no set plan, no budget or no final commitments from the Hurricanes or arena mate North Carolina State University. But what could happens sounds cool:
The south end of the arena, which faces Carter-Finley Stadium, could have a rooftop restaurant and bar. There could be a new, smaller box-office and expanded retail space for The Eye, the Carolina Hurricanes’ merchandise center.
Jeff Merritt, executive director of the Centennial Authority, said Monday those recommendations were made by Ratio Architects and 360 Architecture, the two design firms hired to develop an expansion concept. Initially, the authority, which oversees the operation of the arena, talked of all expansion occurring only on the north end of the building near Wade Ave.
Under the new recommendations, the offices for Gale Force Entertainment and the Hurricanes, now on the south end, would be moved to new space on the north end of the arena. The north end also would have additional meeting rooms and utility space and an employees entrance.
An initial proposal for the renovations is expected to be presented to the Centennial Authority board on Dec. 4. Also expected to be presented: an initial price for all the renovations. The initial estimate for PNC Arena renovations was between $15 million and $20 million, but the new plan should cost more.
