The renovation would entail encasing the front of the arena in a glass, air-conditioned entryway, which would enclose an 18,000-sf area along Jefferson Street. The arena would also get a new food court, better lighting, a new team shop, a pedestrian mall, restrooms and escalators to take patrons directly to the upper concourse.

With the improvements, the arena would also get 30 new women's lavatories, which is almost double the current number. The lack of women's restrooms has been a major complaint of patrons since the arena opened.

With each of the two proposals, Phoenix would pay nearly $10 million of the renovation price, while the arena management company, a subsidiary of the Phoenix Suns, would cover $28 million. The city would get $9.9 million from the Sports Facilities Arena Fund, which gets money from a sales-tax hike imposed in 1989 on hotel and car rentals to help build the arena.

City officials say that the upgrade to America West Arena is necessary to attract more events and patrons. Seventeen arenas have been developed around the country since America West Arena was opened in 1992.

If the city approves the upgrade plans, construction would commence this summer and is expected to be completed by October 2002.

America West Arena, which is at the southeast corner of Jefferson and First streets, is home to the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Rattlers, an arena football team and the Phoenix Coyotes, which is negotiating with Scottsdale to build a new ice hockey arena at the southeastern corner of McDowell and Scottsdale roads.

Instant Insights /

America West Arena May Get $38-Mil Facelift

Related Stories

Recommended For You