Nationwide Arena seeks new store, terrace ahead of 25th anniversary

This story was updated to include additional information.

On the eve of its 25th birthday, Nationwide Arena is seeking a major facelift including a new entrance, new team store, new concessions, a new bar and a rooftop terrace.

The improvements are among $400 million in renovations sought by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, which owns the arena, the Greater Columbus Convention Center and the Hilton Columbus Downtown Hotel.

“This will essentially position us for the next 25 years,” said Ken Paul, the authority’s executive director. “In essence, it will be a new arena for the next 25 years.”

The authority announced a year ago that the arena, which opened Sept. 9, 2000, at a cost of $175 million, needed about $60 million in repairs.

While most of those needs were maintenance — such as a new roof (now being done) and an updated HVAC system — the new changes unveiled on June 23 would be renovations and improvements.

“There are larger needs to position the arena for the future,” said Paul.

The most significant change involves an adjacent four-story building at 375 N. Front St., which the authority hopes to purchase. The building, owned by an entity of Nationwide Realty Investors and valued at $9.3 million by the Franklin County Auditor, looks as though it’s attached to the arena, but is separate.

The offices of the Columbus Blue Jackets would move into the building, freeing up space in the arena building. In addition, the new building would house a new concourse-level food hall and bar overlooking the arena floor — or ice, for Blue Jackets games.

The main entrance to the arena would be expanded 30 feet to the front to improve traffic flow and provide more weather protection for visitors. A terrace would be built on top of the expansion, connected to the fourth floor of the 375 N. Front St. building, and to the Founders Club on the other side.

On the ground level, the south side of the arena entrance would be converted into a bar. The team store now in the space would be moved into a space three times as large on the west side of the arena, near the McConnell entrance.

The renovations would also include a major overhaul of all concessions, Paul said.

In addition to improving their function and technology, concessions would be repositioned to allow visitors to use them while still watching events in the arena, like concession areas in Lower.com Field and Huntington Park, said Paul.

Other proposed improvements include enhanced waiting rooms for performers and press facilities.

Paul said the changes will be done in phases over at least four years, emphasizing that the designs are preliminary.

“The first priority is acquiring the 375 N. Front building and reworking that entrance,” he said. “That space is the first domino.”

Paul said the $400 million price tag is the maximum and that there is “not a firm plan of financing at this point.” He said the authority has had preliminary conversations with its private partners, such as the Columbus Blue Jackets, the building’s main tenant, and city, county and state officials.

Here’s roughly how the money would be spent:

Mechanical upgrades (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) … $50 millionTechnology enhancements including LED screen … $40 million              Food and beverage upgrades … $60 million                                             Structural improvements and expansion of concourses … $100 million                                         Fan experience upgrades and event-level expansion … $50 million       Safety and security upgrades … $40 million                Cosmetic renovations including concourse and restrooms … $30 million                        Construction and architecture … $30 million  

Paul said the authority is hopeful the new state budget, being worked on now, includes funding for sports facilities, as has been proposed.

“Columbus Arena Management (CAM) has been advocating before state leaders for inclusion in the state budget,” Paul said. “We’re cautiously optimistic the General Assembly and the governor will reach agreement on a solution that will provide funding support for sports and entertainment venues across the state.”

Despite the uncertainty of funding, Paul said, “I’m relatively confident we can get there. The first step is getting people talking about it.”

Real estate and Development Reporter Jim Weiker can be reached at  jweiker@dispatch.com and at 614-284-3697. Follow him @JimWeiker