The Hawks and the city of Atlanta have "come to terms on a deal that includes public funds to renovate Philips Arena, a move that could keep the NBA franchise downtown" through '46, according to a front-page piece by Trubey, Stafford & Vivlamore of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. The $192.5M agreement "extends the Hawks lease by 18 years and calls for taxpayers to pay" $142.5M to upgrade the arena, with the Hawks to contribute $50M. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said that no tax hike or general fund dollars "will be used to pay the city’s share." The bulk will "come from an extension of the city’s rental car tax, which state lawmakers approved earlier this year." The Turner Field sale will "play a crucial role" in the renovation funding, with $12.5M of the $30M sale to be "included in the city’s share." About $110M will come from a "car rental tax," and the remaining $20M from the city will "come from a series of expected future sales of smaller tracts of city land." Hawks Owner Tony Ressler has said that a Philips makeover is "essential for the team." The arena’s configuration, with a bank of suites along one side and disjointed corridors, is a "major problem for fan experience and also for revenue generation." The suites furthest from the floor "have been poor sellers." Reed said that the renovation plans "call for suites to be positioned throughout the arena." Hawks officials said that other upgrades include "more connectivity so fans can better navigate around the arena" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 11/2). USA TODAY's AJ Neuharth-Keusch noted the renovations are "scheduled to begin" in the summer of '17 and conclude by the start of the '18-19 season. The Hawks are "still scheduled to play in Philips Arena next season" (USATODAY.com, 11/1).
