As Bridgestone Arena turns 20 years old later this year, the Predators and Metro Nashville Sports Authority are "set to explore new development opportunities outside the arena that could include major additions to the facility," according to Joey Garrison of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. K.C.-based Populous is "leading what is projected to be a three- to four-month process to study all sides of the arena site, underutilized space surrounding it and whether to pursue building additions or other development." Nashville Mayor Megan Barry's COO Rich Riebeling said, "It’s the 20th anniversary, and I believe you have to invest in buildings if you’re going to keep the building up to the quality that it needs to be." Garrison notes the Predators paid to hire Populous, which will "look for ways to link the arena to the range of new downtown amenities and the tourist scene on Lower Broadway." Populous Principal & Dir of Product Development Adam Stover said that possibilities could include "revamping the front plaza on Broadway, perhaps with a permanent building anchored by a 'hospitality destination' or perhaps an outdoor concert stage." Stover discussed "transforming the existing front tower of the arena into an attraction that people visit." Predators President & COO Sean Henry likened the analysis "to a 'space study' that could lay the groundwork for a more detailed 'arena envisioning study' later" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 2/24).
