The multiyear project to renovate Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium is expected to cost an additional $38.9 million, bringing the total price tag to more than $300 million.

Documents presented to the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the state universities, ask the board to approve the additional funds, bringing the total project cost to $307 million and pushing back the expected completion date to June 2019.

The project is being financed without tuition or taxpayer money. The cash is being raised through private donations, the ASU athletics facilities district, tickets and sponsorships.

ASU estimates that nearly $95 million of the $307 million price tag will come from donations, of which $80 million has been pledged so far.

Renovations on the stadium, built in 1958, were originally projected to cost $225 million. But then ASU officials added a student athletic building to the plans, boosting the price tag to $256 million. Last year, unforeseen site conditions and an accelerated construction schedule to avoid impacting the 2016 football schedule pushed costs to $268 million.

The latest price tag of $307 million would also add a fourth level on the east side so the stadium can host year-round programs and activities for students, alumni and the community. Further details on the fourth level were not available.

ASU Vice President for Athletics Ray Anderson has said a running track will be installed around the entire stadium concourse once it is fully connected and that there could be a pathway through the stadium connecting to Tempe Town Lake.

Renovations began after the 2014 football season and have taken place in phases to avoid having to relocate football games to another venue.

The first two phases included rebuilding the south end zone to create a continuous concrete lower bowl and adding high-end clubs and suites. A giant, 47-by-113-feet video board was added this year.

Phase 3 will include connecting the main concourse with the south end zone. Premium seating will be added, along with expanded restrooms. Infrastructure improvements to water, electrical and mechanical systems also will be made.

Once everything is finished, "the overall fan experience should be a whole lot better," said Lorenzo Martinez, associate vice president for finance and administration for the Arizona Board of Regents.

The regents are scheduled to discuss the stadium renovation during a committee meeting on Wednesday and expected to vote on Thursday during the board's meeting at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Once the regents give approval, Martinez said ASU officials then have the authority to sign construction contracts and begin the third and final phase of construction.

The last phase won't begin until December after the current football season ends and has a targeted completion date of June 2019.

 

Source:azcentral.com

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