An expansion of PNC Arena, "still in the concept phase, may be more extensive, expensive and different than first envisioned," according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER. The arena, which is home to the Hurricanes and N.C. State Univ. men's basketball, "could have a new restaurant and rooftop bar" at the venue's south end. There also "could be a new, smaller box-office area and expanded retail space" for the Hurricanes' shop. Centennial Authority Exec Dir Jeff Merritt, whose organization oversees the arena, said that those were "among the recommendations made by Ratio Architects and 360 Architecture," the design firms hired by the authority to develop an expansion concept. The offices for Gale Force Entertainment and the Hurricanes, now on the south end of the arena, "would be moved to new space on the north end." The north end also "would have additional meeting rooms and utility space and an employee entrance." Merritt said that the design firms' plans "will be presented to authority members" at a Dec. 4 meeting. One "initial estimate for a north-end expansion" was $15-20M. Merritt said that a "'ballpark price' for the new concept could be presented to the authority in January" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 11/25).
