Pelicans Begin Painting Over "Outdated Green" Exterior Of Smoothie King Center

Smoothie King Center's "long-awaited exterior painting" has begun, as the arena's "outdated green exterior is getting a makeover to a light gray color scheme," according to John Reid of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. All of the work "is part of the state-funded Phase II" of a $54M renovation that began in April. Besides the new front entrance and exterior color change, some of the Phase II upgrades "include a new LED lighting system, an expanded team store and ticket box office." A newly constructed sports bar also "will be housed on the 100-plaza level and will include an outside deck." Pelicans execs "wanted a color that would be more reflective of the LED colors at night than the current green scheme." The exterior painting "is contracted to be completed by Sept. 30 and the rest of the upgrades in the Phase II renovation is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 1" (NOLA.com, 9/5).