Thursday, January 30, 2014

Orlando begins $200 million Citrus Bowl renovation

The Citrus Bowl is home to the Florida Classic

Artist renderings

ORLANDO, Florida -- A $200 million renovation of the Florida Citrus Bowl began Wednesday with hopes of bringing a college football national championship and other major events to Orlando.

A crane yanked down the stadium's scoreboard during a cold, rainy ceremony, beginning a 10-month project that will raze and rebuild the lower bowl, and add club seats, luxury suites and a digital video scoreboard.

About 80 percent of the 77-year-old stadium will be torn down, with only the upper deck remaining intact.

The rebuilt stadium will feature wider concourses, modernized restrooms, more leg room for fans and an open-air exterior, according to early plans released by the city.

Seating capacity will decrease from 71,000 to 65,000.

Crews will work in 24-hour shifts to complete the project by November before the annual Florida Classic football game between Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman.



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