Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena collectively need $477M in "improvements over the next 20 years to extend the life of both Metro-owned facilities," according to a front-page piece by Joey Garrison of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Tennessee-based Venue Solutions Group reported the projected costs to "cover everything from architectural improvements to better technology and plumbing." The reports come as the Titans' lease agreement with Nissan Stadium and the Predators' deal with Bridgestone Arena expire in '28. Nissan Stadium is in need of $293.2M in "capital improvements," while Bridgestone Arena faces capital needs totaling $183.4M. The Metro Sports Authority tapped Venue Solutions Group in September to "conduct a review of the facilities amid a rising number of repairs and upgrades" at the facilities as they have gotten older. Both venues were built in the '90s. Officials "aren't ready to say" how the city, the Titans and the Predators "might pay for the upgrades, which would range" between $8-12M per year for each facility. Under the lease agreements with the Titans and Predators, Metro is "obligated to pay for the upkeep of the venues." Much of the infrastructure in both venues "has a 20-year lifespan, meaning needs are poised to pile up." Metro COO Rich Riebling said that Nashville has "not started negotiations with either the Titans or Predators about extending their stadium leases" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 5/19).
