By BEX Staff for AZBEX
The City of Glendale announced on January 10th it has chosen HOK to modernize the City-owned Gila River Arena.
The announcement said, “The entertainment industry has changed dramatically since Gila River Arena opened its doors in 2003. The renovations will modernize the facility, ensuring that it’s a world-class venue of choice with cutting-edge technology and updated guest amenities.”
Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps said the modernization project will help Glendale attract prominent entertainment acts to the venue, which serves as an anchor for the Westgate Entertainment District.
ASM Global serves as the management firm for the venue, and Phelps stressed partnership between ASM, Glendale and HOK will “create a highly-integrated venue that will make waves in the marketplace, exceeding performer and spectator expectations.”
With a current capacity of 18,000 seats, the arena was built, in part, as a home for the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, who will no longer play there after the current season.
According to Glendale’s announcement, “During a rigorous and competitive selection process, HOK demonstrated that it is both creatively and technically adept to achieve Glendale’s goal of reimagining the arena once it no longer serves as a hockey venue.”
ASM Global manages several arenas in the U.S., and the company collaborated with HOB on the design of the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Representatives of Glendale, ASM Global and HOK are currently planning a kickoff meeting to determine the renovation’s overall goals, according to the announcement.
BEX Companies staff emailed Glendale procurement officials to clarify the selection process that led to HOK’s selection and to explain the process’ conformity to public procurement rules. No response was received by press time.
