Quicken Loans Arena is slated for a face lift, as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cuyahoga County have announced a renovation plan.
The proposal calls for Quicken Loans Arena to receive $140 million in upgrades over two phases. Much of the renovations will focus on improving existing spaces, as the arena will receive a new glass exterior to make it more visible from the outside. In doing so, the Cavaliers will extend the venue’s footprint along Huron Road while widening the concourses within Quicken Loans Arena and offering more gathering places.
As part of the plan, the Cavaliers will extend their lease to 2034 while contributing $70 million of the renovation cost. More from the AP (Via NBA.com):
The Q will remain open during construction, which is slated to begin in 2017 and take approximately two years to complete.
As part of the reconstruction, the building will be modernized with a glass front, and public gathering spaces will be added along with food and beverage areas.
Once the project is completed, the Cavs are hoping to host the NBA All-Star Game. Cleveland last hosted the event in 1997.
“The NBA is very supportive of the Quicken Loans Arena transformation project which we believe will greatly benefit the entire Cleveland community,” league deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum said. “We understand the impact this project will have in continuing the great momentum we have all seen recently in the city.
According to an arena renovation website, the public portion of the funding will be paid for through a variety of taxes, including admissions for events at Quicken Loans Arena, increased sales taxes from the venue, and parts of the bed tax and County Destination Facility reserve. Quicken Loans Arena has been home to the Cavaliers since 1994, when it opened as Gund Arena.
Renderings courtesy Cleveland Cavaliers.
