Centennial Authority OKs master plan for PNC Arena

The Centennial Authority on Thursday approved $175,000 to move a step closer to PNC Arena expansion: the development of a master plan and the setting of a price.

The authority, which oversees operation of the 15-year-old arena, had hired design firms Ratio and 360 Architecture to produce conceptual expansion plans. A presentation was made Thursday by Jennifer Sisak, a senior associate with Ratio.

The south end of the arena, facing Carter-Finley Stadium, would be expanded to add a “rooftop experience” that would include a bar and dining area. The north end would have added storage space and hospitality rooms.

One major change would be shifting many of the offices used by Gale Force Entertainment and the Carolina Hurricanes from the south end to the north end of the arena. There also was some talk Thursday about the Wolfpack Club, N.C. State’s athletic booster organization, having interest in moving its offices into the arena.

Jeff Merritt, executive director of the Centennial Authority, said he hoped to have the master plan, engineering analysis, 3D renderings, full documentation and cost range no later than May.

Still to be determined would be a stickier issue: how to fund the expansion. The arena, which hosts Hurricanes games and N.C. State men’s basketball, was built with funds from N.C. State, the Hurricanes, the City of Raleigh, Wake County and the state.

Authority member Steve Stroud, who heads the building and construction committee, noted he was receiving numerous calls from interested contractors, noting he told them, “We’re nowhere near the time to take contractor calls.”

The authority also approved up to $120,000 to renovate and outfit existing office space for 30 new employees to be hired by the Hurricanes. Team president Don Waddell said $2.2 million would be spent to add staff, many in sales.

In one other bit of business, the authority on Thursday passed an ordinance prohibiting possession of a deadly weapon in the arena or any authority facility. The ordinance, which doesn’t pertain to law enforcement personnel, said such weapons include a bowie knife, dirk, dagger, sling-shot, loaded cane, metal knuckles, razor, stun gun, pistol, revolver, gun rifle or nightstick.

This story was originally published December 4, 2014 at 8:58 PM with the headline "Centennial Authority OKs master plan for PNC Arena."