Tonight, Cleveland Cavaliers fans could find out if their beloved Quicken Loans Arena will receive a proposed $140 million face-lift.
After postponing an earlier meeting last week, Cleveland City Council has rescheduled the voting for Monday. If passed, renovations to the arena would include an expansion to the existing structure and an enclosed glass concourse. Funding on the new project would be split between the Cavaliers organization, Cuyahoga County, and the city of Cleveland.
While county leaders approved the proposal last month, there are some who oppose the project. Those against the renovation proposal argue that the money could be used in struggling Cleveland communities.
Cleveland’s Fox 8 News shared some of the financial details in a recent article.
“Cleveland’s share of the project would be about $88 million paid over 11 years, starting in 2024.”
“The deal commits the Cavaliers to extend its lease at The Q arena to 2034. The portion of admission taxes will be in effect during those years.”
Believe it or not, The Q, now in its 22nd year of operation, is one of the older arenas in the NBA. Supporters of the proposal say that the building needs this renovation.
Since its completion in 1994, The Q has made an incredible impact on Cleveland’s downtown area. In fact, the arena is one of the largest economic engines in Cuyahoga County, hosting more than 200 events in a calendar year.
“In 2016, The Q generated $245 million in direct spending and $44 million in state, county and city tax revenue from different streams, including income, sales, admission and hotel bed taxes. Since the arena’s inception in 1994, The Q has delivered an estimated economic impact of $2.7 billion in direct spending, helped create and support 2,500 jobs annually, and generated nearly $500 million in tax revenue.”
According to Karen Farkas of Cleveland.com, The Q’s new glass facade will extend all the way to Huron Road, offering new views of the city from inside the arena. A larger, enclosed entryway, featuring a curved wall made of sustainable wood, will greet patrons upon arrival. To create more space for fan gatherings, the Cavs are also adding several new “neighborhoods” along the concourses.
TheQtransformation.com
TheQtransformation.com
TheQtransformation.com
How about Loudville, you ask? According to Cleveland.com, the raucous section of the upper level concourse is getting a new bar and will be opened into the arena bowl, allowing fans to sit together.
TheQtransformation.com
Currently, the main concourse at The Q is 38,860 square feet. Renovations would bring that number all the way up to 51,210 square feet after all of the planned additions are completed. Entry areas for the main concourse will expand from 9,160 square feet to a much larger 42,110 square feet. The middle concourse will increase in size from 23,270 square feet to 28,840 with the addition of the new “neighborhoods.” To make room for the new bar in Loudville, the upper concourse will expand from 23,160 square feet to 30,810. Lastly, there will be a few hundred less seats in the upper level, trimming the arena’s 20,562 capacity down to just under 20,000.
Cleveland.com via Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland.com via Cleveland Cavaliers