The $450-million renovation of the Mercedes Benz Superdome is underway, with workers wasting no time getting started on a four-year project. And the most logical place to start the renovations…? On the 50-yard line.
"Removing the field is about a four-to-five day process," says Mike Hoss with ASM Global, the management firm which runs New Orleans' sports and exhibition venues. "The astroturf has hundreds of thousands of pounds of sand and rubber inside of it. So they are literally vacuuming up the turf."
Hoss says this first phase, called the enabling phase, involves removing the field so heavy equipment used to dismantle and remove 80-thousand square feet of ramps on the East and West sides of the dome can take place and open up concourse areas in the newly recovered space.
Though the massive renovation project is touted as being performed for the benefit of Saints fans, there's really a broader reason for renovating the facility.
"We want to be able to compete with new stadium in Atlanta, and Jerry's World in Dallas, and AT&T Stadium and buildings that have had renovations," Hoss says. "We have to compete with those places, not just for football games, but for conventions and meetings."
What's getting started this week will go a long way toward reestablishing the Superdome the premiere exhibit and sports facility in the country. Hoss says the renovations, which will focus on removing pedestrian ramps and installing stairs and escalators, will open up more than 80-thousand square feet of new space for amenities, retail and dining and lounges.
The renovations on the Superdome will take four years to complete. Hoss says the enabling phase, which started this week with the removal of the astroturf field and preparations to bring heavy equipment, will lay the groundwork for the next three years of renovation work.
"You have certain windows to get things done," Hoss explains. "That's why this first aspect, this first phase of enabling of ramps and stairs is so crucial because it sets the stage for everything else.
"What they did back in the '60s, when they were planning and building this building is nothing short of genius. To build this building that they could renovate so many times and still be relevant in the year 2020 is unparalleled."