NORFOLK, Va. — The future of Norfolk's Scope Arena and Chrysler Hall is up for discussion.
City Council members are once again looking at making major improvements to the venues and they come with a major price tag.
Renderings show a potential new future for Scope and Chrysler Hall.
"There were a number of things the city asked us to really look at in terms of the Scope Arena – certainly first and foremost was ways to increase the seating capacity," said Jeffrey Hyder of Moseley Architects. "That was without digging down or without raising the roof so to speak."
Improvements on the table for Scope Arena include increased seating, improved ADA access, more bathrooms and dining options, a VIP club and technology upgrades.
The proposal also includes plans to improve the plaza outside – including more green space and an outdoor stage.
Councilman John "JP" Paige also questioned if the building itself would also get a much-needed cleaning.
"We're sure we can get the outside taken care of? We can make the outside look a whole lot better… I'm talking about the building, the Scope," Paige said.
"I know that there are some plans that they have in terms of cleaning up the outside, overall," Hyder responded.
It's a multi-million dollar proposal with the cost depending on whether the city can take advantage of historic tax credits. Hyder said the cost is between $26 million and $42 million.
Proposed renovations to Chrysler Hall are also on the table.
This would include new seating arrangements, upgrades in the lobby, more bathrooms, improvements to the acoustics, lighting and backstage electronics – as well as ADA access on Charlotte Street. The project would also see improvements to performer spaces, the loading dock and the building's roof.
It's another multi-million dollar project. Donna Phaneuf of VIA Design Architects said the construction could cost an estimate of about $87 million.
If the city moves forward with the plans, construction at Scope Arena and Chrysler Hall would be staggered to not take place at the same time. Construction at Scope could begin in 2027, while construction at Chrysler Hall could start in 2026.