Philips Arena will "undergo a top to bottom gutting" over the next 18 months, but officials feel that the renovations will make the nearly-20-year-old facility "feel like it was built yesterday," according to a front-page piece by Leon Stafford of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. New features will "include a scoreboard that is more than three times the size of the one that currently hangs over center court, a courtside bar almost close enough for patrons to shoot a three-pointer, and a conference center big enough to help Philips compete as a small convention facility." Gone will be the six levels of suites that "blanket the west side of the interior." They will be "replaced by general seating and smaller suites in an attempt to open up views of the facility and increase interaction among fans." The renovation will cost about $192.5M, but much of that -- $142.5M -- will come from a "combination of funds from Atlanta car rental taxes, proceeds from the sale of Turner Field and bond issuances. The Hawks "will invest" $50M. Rapper Killer Mike also will "open his Swag Shop barber franchise in the building." Meanwhile, Topgolf will "bring its new Swing Suite simulator to the arena," while musician Zac Brown will open a Philips Arena location of his "gourmet southern-style restaurant Zac Brown's Social Club, complete with live music" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/29). The Hawks said that the transformation will be the "second largest renovation in NBA history, behind only the recent renovation" of MSG. In Atlanta, Phil Hudson noted the new courtside bar will be "designed in the shape of the Hawks Pacman logo." The new Hawks Conference Center will feature a "250-seat master conference room and four additional breakout rooms equipped with touch screen technology, interactive whiteboards, wireless presentation services as well as access to full bars and other amenities" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/28).
DRINK TICKET: ESPN.com's Darren Rovell noted the 1,500-square-foot bar space is "behind one of the baskets." Hawks COO Thad Sheely said that all 600 courtside season-ticket holders will "receive admission into the space." The Hawks also will "sell a limited amount of standing room-only tickets." The team will "have to take out only about 200 seats to clear way for the bar" (ESPN.com, 6/28).
