Construction companies are "almost done" with Phase II of the $268M renovation of Arizona State's Sun Devil Stadium, which "consisted of demolition of the stadium's west side and the first construction stages of a building that will house football and other athletic facilities on the north end," according to Jeremy Cluff of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. ASU VP/Athletics Ray Anderson said he is "very pleased with where we are because I think we're going to deliver something that our friends will be proud of." Cluff noted renovations include seating capacity going "down to 56,232," after once being "over 70,000." And in the lower bowl on the west side, more than 13,400 gray seats with backs (and cup holders) "replace bleacher seating." Each seat "comes with an average of four inches of more legroom and those in several sections have arm rests." Meanwhile, the 360-degree concourse is "completely new with much more space." Hunt Construction Exec VP & Regional Manager Bob Hart said, "This is the most ambitious, aggressive building between seasons we've ever done and we've done quite a few of them." Cluff noted Phase III is "still to come," and it "will involve demolition of the stadium's east side and completion of the football facility on the north end." It will also include a 48-foot-by-113-foot video board "on the north end." Eventually, ASU officials "hope to use" that area for other events, possibly concerts. The final phase is "scheduled to be completed prior" to the '17 season (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/1).
