NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The home of the New Orleans Pelicans and many high-profile concerts might receive a renovation costing hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, manager of the Smoothie King Center, released artist renderings of the arena’s master plan and proposed renovations. The state owns the arena and the Pelicans lease the venue.
LSED chairman Rob Vosbein said that, if approved, more than 2,100 lower-level seats would be added, creating a more intimate, up-close experience for Pelicans games and concerts.
“The Smoothie King Center will have changes throughout the building, making it meet some of the NBA standards and enhancements for concerts,” Vosbein said.
Proposed upgrades
The proposed upgrades include a rooftop terrace and new fan plaza with access to a nearby parking garage.
“Some of those seats that are up either at the top or in the clubs will have lounges that will be a little bit nicer than they were,” Vosbein said. “Some of them will have glass views in and out of the stadium. You’ll have more of them throughout the facility.”
Vosbein said upgrades to the locker rooms and behind the scenes spaces will help keep New Orleans competitive.
“We want to compete, of course, for the best concerts, comedy shows and all other events that go into the arena,” Vosbein said.
If approved, it would be the most extensive renovation project since the venue opened in 1999.
Artists renderings provided by Gensler and Eskew Dumez Ripple+ show some of the renovations being proposed for the next major facelift of the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.(Gensler and Eskew Dumez Ripple+)
Resident reactions
Kinzie Faulk said the upgrades would make things better.
“It would make things a little bit better, because people come for attractions and that will bring them in,” Faulk said.
Germerrion Reese said, “It’s exciting that we’re getting updates to our city. This is like one of the main things in our city.”
Alison Meader Perry said she’s unsure if “The Blender” needs renovations.
“I thought it was great for Pelicans games. But if they want to add to it, super,” Perry said. “I hope more people can enjoy indoors or outdoors.”
Super Bowl hopes
Vosbein said upgrades to the Smoothie King Center and surrounding area might help attract another Super Bowl.
“They’d like us, as a city, to improve the surrounding campus,” Vosbein said. “There are lots of events that go with the Super Bowl with the days leading up to that. The NFL would like to see more function and a little bit nicer green space. All of this plays right into that.”
Vosbein said renovations could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the Pelicans and state likely would fund the project through a public-private partnership. The deal likely hinges on the Pelicans signing a lease extension.
There’s no timeline on when construction might begin.
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