The Univ. of Cincinnati as part of its $70M Fifth Third Bank Arena renovation "expects to cut seating to 11,476, create a new concourse for the arena’s upper level with its own fan amenities, add club seats and suites and include a digital projection of intimidating Bearcat eyes on the outside of the revamped arena," according to Steve Watkins of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER. UC "would start the design development phase in September, assuming it gets board funding in August." The schedule calls for it to begin construction in May, "shortly after the UC basketball season ends and other uses of the facility wrap up." It "plans for construction to be finished" in September '17. UC "would have to play its basketball games off-site" for the '16-17 season. The arena would include 11,206 seats plus 270 standing-room tickets. The plans "call for 2,602 lower bowl general seats and another 73 specialty seats for media, players and officials." It "would create 1,502 student seats, 1,317 premium seats and 5,712 seats in the upper bowl." This is "down from the arena’s 13,176 capacity now," but UC "plans to more than make up for the fewer seats by adding premium seating" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/13).
