A $160M renovation plan for Scottrade Center in downtown St. Louis includes "remodeled concourses, a bigger scoreboard and an enclosed beer garden," according to a front-page piece by Tim Bryant of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Plans are "preliminary but include revamped seating areas and a larger team store" for the Blues. No bonds "would be issued before a renovation financing agreement is reached, which officials hope will happen this year." A source said that the city’s Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority resolution "could allow the Blues to make some Scottrade improvements this summer and receive reimbursement for their costs later when a final renovation agreement is reached." Blues Group VP & CFO Phil Siddle said that the team plans to spend about $10M this summer "to redo the outdated control room for the current scoreboard and replace the original water condenser loop system, cooling towers, pumps and piping for the hockey rink’s ice plant." Siddle said that under the preliminary Scottrade plan, walls behind concession stands "would be removed to give visitors views into the seating area." Modernized concession stands and remodeled locker rooms "also are planned." A "big part of the project would be construction of an enclosed beer garden on Scottrade’s plaza." Siddle said that the two-level facility, which "would be attached to the main building, might operate year round." The renovation comes after the team earlier this week announced plans for a new practice facility (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/27).
