City Council approves Bojangles’ contracts

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CHARLOTTE – The City Council has approved several components of a planned renovation at Bojangles’ Coliseum. The move follows the Council’s decision in December to provide $16 million for the first phase of the project, including $4 million in upgrades for the Checkers hockey team to relocate from Time Warner Cable Arena back to their original home.

Among the Council’s actions, it authorized City Manager Ron Carlee to negotiate a contract of up to $800,000 with Odell Associates Inc. for architectural services. It also agreed to pay more than $1.5 million for a scoreboard and LED ribbon displays from to Daktronics Inc.; $149,620 for an ice deck from Athletica Sport Systems; and $98,750 for an ice resurfacer from Frank J. Zamboni & Co. Inc.

The council will consider approval of other contracts in the coming months. Phase one construction, slated to begin this summer, includes roof restoration, sound-system improvements, seating replacement and possible modifications to the coliseum’s concessions areas, offices and locker rooms.

Phase one improvements will be covered by the Charlotte Convention Center tax fund, which is financed by existing hospitality tax revenue. The last renovation at the arena was for $2 million in 2002.

In March, staff members from the city and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority submitted a 20-year plan for $51 million in renovations to the nearly 60-year-old dome. The coliseum is owned by the city and managed by the CRVA.

The Checkers are scheduled to return to the coliseum in October. The CRVA and the team have agreed to a 10-year term, with two additional options for five-year extensions. The Checkers will pay market rent.