NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Norfolk City Council got an update on proposed renovations for both Chrysler Hall and Scope Arena on Tuesday, including the latest price tag for both.
The new projected cost for the Chrysler renovation is about $87 million without the potential use of tax credits. That’s $10 million less than the projected figure shared just a few months ago by planners.
The city’s been wanting to renovate the 5-decade-old Chrysler Hall for years now, but the process was put on pause due to the pandemic and concerns over increased construction costs.
They’ve also been looking for ways to further improve and increase seating capacity for the roughly 11,000-seat capacity Scope, the biggest indoor venue in the region. Meanwhile a larger “state-of-the-art” arena proposed for the city has been “shelved” indefinitely.
Plans for Chrysler Hall from GWWO Architects and Via Design shared on Tuesday are very similar to those shared back in 2019 and at a recent council retreat in November.
They call for upgraded seating, acoustics, lobby areas, restrooms and other infrastructure such as expanded loading docks (from one to five) and new roofing.
The seating capacity (currently 2,488) would be reduced by 148 to 2,340 to allow for new aisles in the orchestra level and 19 new spots for patrons in wheelchairs. The dress circle and balcony areas will also be expanded.
Via Design President Donna Phaneuf said construction by WM Jordan is still expected to begin, pending council approval, in summer 2026 and go through September 2027 (one SevenVenues Broadway season). The renovated venue’s first performance would be in October.
City Manager Patrick Roberts said Tuesday that historic tax credits could reduce the $87 million price down by as much as $15 million. Philanthropy could reduce those costs even further.
Councilman Tommy Smigiel said he wants the city to get creative to reduce revenue lost during construction. Current plans include moving some events at Chrysler to nearby Harrison Opera House, but he hopes to see more outdoor events like concerts in that down period.
“I understand later on a better venue is going to bring in more money, but we can’t take that hit,” Smigiel said. “We’re already a city that financially is on the cusp in multiple areas … we really should be looking at maximizing other opportunities.”
Councilwoman Andria McClellan had questions about security and parking improvements, which Mayor Kenny Alexander said would be brought up in the next presentation on the projects.
Scope has meanwhile gotten several upgrades in the past two decades, including new LED lighting, a new sound system and new seats.
City officials though wanted to see if there was a potential to increase seating capacity without digging down or raising the venue’s iconic concrete roof, both of which proved to be too cost prohibitive.
Moseley Architects President Jeffrey Hyder said Tuesday a new configuration that includes new grandstand seating and ADA-accessibility will add about 1,050 new seats for sporting events and 750 for concerts, up to a maximum capacity of about 13,000 seats.
Plans call for breaking down a raised wall to add seats, and extending the existing seating bowl would cost around $750,000.
Hyder said they would then move the stage area for concerts to the other end of the building where the loading docks are, making set up/take down easier and the venue “a lot more attractive to promoters.” That could allow for the addition of a VIP area that could use historic tax credits.
Hyder said a lighter renovation project that uses historic tax credits could cost around $26 million. A bigger undertaking that included concourse expansion would impact the tax credits and cost as much as $42 million.
That doesn’t include the proposed $10 million for technology/security improvements (Wi-Fi, AV improvements, etc.) and building system upgrades (up to $24.5 million total for central plant equipment, HVAC and the chiller for the arena’s hockey rink) .
In total, the project could cost around $78 million without using tax credits and just under $63 million with tax credits.
With both projects, Councilman Smigiel said he also wants to see numbers about the return on investment the projects will bring.
“I want to be able to go to my constituents in Ward 5 and say to them this $160 million is actually worth $280 million. Because the improvements that we’re going to make are going to bring better shows, more ticket money coming in, more tax revenue coming in. We still aren’t doing that.”
Council members are set to be briefed more on the projects two weeks from now, including how the city plans to pay for them in its capital improvement plan (CIP).
You can watch the presentation from Tuesday’s work session here.