Magic Select HOK Sport To Design New Downtown Arena

By Don Muret, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

The Magic have selected HOK Sport to design a proposed $480M downtown Orlando arena, according to two sources close to the project.  The Magic would not confirm the information.  “The process has not been finalized,” Magic VP/Communications Joel Glass said.  The club is waiting for Orange County officials to approve the Interlocal Agreement between the city and county to provide public financing to build the arena.  It would fund upgrades at Citrus Bowl Stadium and construction of a new performing arts center.  The county vote is expected later this month.  HOK, which won the job over fellow finalists HKS and Rossetti, also has to negotiate a contract to design the arena, one source said.  Industry observers said it was no surprise the Magic picked HOK, based on the fact that principal designer Steve Hotujac has been doing preliminary work for the team for six to seven years dating back to his days at Ellerbe Becket.  The Magic want to start playing in a new arena in September 2010.