CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte City Council Economic Development Committee unanimously voted on Thursday to move forward with $25 million in improvements to the BoPlex.
[ READ MORE: USA Curling Nationals canceled Thursday at Bojangles Coliseum due to roof leak ]
The full Charlotte City Council will vote later this month. Plans call for HVAC upgrades and studying what electrical, plumbing and parking improvements are needed. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which manages the Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium, says HVAC upgrades are critical.
“The coliseum and the auditorium were the original drivers of entertainment to the community and have anchored the east side of Charlotte for 70 years now,” said CRVA CEO Steve Bagwell.
The upgrades include:
- Ovens Chiller replacement from the 1990s
- Additional Ovens boiler to ensure redundancy
- Coliseum air handler units from the 1970s
- Ovens air handler units dating back to the 1950s
The cost for HVAC improvements will cost $23 million.
Funding for this project will come from the Tourism Tax, which is comprised of the city’s 3% occupancy tax and 1.5% rental car tax.
One of the things under study is a possible parking deck.
Councilmember Kimberly Owens suggested the CRVA explore adding retail and restaurants to the deck to better activate the area near the stadium.
The full council will vote on the project during its rezoning meeting later this month.
Leaders say the investment is worth it to make sure the venue continues to draw top events.
“It is one of the few, if not the only venue in this large-scale capacity in Black and brown neighborhoods,” said Councilmember JD Mazuera Arias, D-District 5.
VIDEO: Bojangles Coliseum roof leak comes as Charlotte leaders prepare to discuss renovations
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