The 18,000 seats being replaced in the AT&T Center as part of the arena's $101.5M renovation are “headed to the trash heap," according to a front-page piece by John Gonzalez of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. Bexar County officials said that trying to "save the seats for repurposing would not be cost effective and would slow a project that’s crammed between one Spurs season and the next.” Gonzalez notes nostalgia for stadium seats “can evoke big sums.” Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert was “surprised there was no plan to capitalize on the discarded seats.” He suggested that the seats be “stored by the county for use by other county venues or for sale at its monthly auctions of surplus items.” Gonzalez notes the AT&T renovation project began "after Monday’s WWE Raw event” at the arena. The Spurs’ locker room is 75% demolished, and “some reusable fixtures, including furniture, are being turned over to the adjacent Freeman Coliseum, which also is owned by the county.” County officials said that the arena work “includes replacement of all seats and the massive scoreboard, improved audio and construction of new club areas to enhance the fan experience.” Spurs Sports & Entertainment Senior VP, General Counsel & Corporate Relations Bobby Perez said that construction “likely will overlap with preseason games” for both the Spurs and the AHL San Antonio Rampage (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 6/3).
