phoenix city council set to vote on big arena renovations

After months of often rancorous public meetings, members of the Phoenix City Council are on the verge of deciding whether to approve a proposal calling for up to $235 million in upgrades and renovations to the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

That arena is the home to the Phoenix Suns basketball team, the ownership of which has threatened to leave the arena and perhaps Phoenix itself, if a series of upgrades aren’t made to the 26 year-old facility.

The City of Phoenix has now released a breakdown of the projected costs, showing that roughly $99.5 million will go for the maintenance of the arena’s electrical, plumbing, and communications systems.

Just over $26 million will target the replacement of equipment, furniture, and fixtures in the arena, as well as upgrades to both the food service areas and more than two dozen concession stands.

More than $17 million will go for exterior improvements, with nearly $15 million to be spent on improvements to the lower and upper deck seating, as well as the building of new hallways and entrances to the seating sections.

If the package is approved, the Suns have promised to build an off-site training facility, a project that could cost the team anywhere from $25 to $50 million.

A recent poll commissioned by the Greater Phoenix Chamber showed 49 percent of respondents approving the arena renovation proposal, with 25 percent in opposition.

By Garry Boulard

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