News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
On March 20, Brailsford & Dunlavey Co-CEO Chris Dunlavey was recently interviewed by Minneapolis NBC affiliate KARE 11 as part of its coverage of a proposed $770 million renovation to the Xcel Energy Center, RiverCentre, and Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The segment aired in conjunction with a Minnesota State Capitol hearing on March 21, where St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leopold presented their case to the House Capital Investment Committee. The proposal seeks $394 million in state funding to support critical upgrades to the 25-year-old, city-owned arena complex, which plays a central role in the region’s economic and cultural life.
In the KARE 11 interview, Dunlavey provided national perspective on the challenges cities face with aging sports venues. “There were a number of buildings built during a real boom in the 1990s and 2000s,” he noted. “They’re not really ready to be torn down, but if you are going to continue using them, they need replacements or repairs to their mechanical systems, their plumbing systems, their energy and technology.”
Dunlavey also contextualized the project’s estimated cost, comparing it to the $800 million renovation currently underway at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.—home to the NHL’s Capitals and NBA’s Wizards. He acknowledged the growing tension between public funding and private contributions in venue reinvestments, noting that communities may increasingly expect teams or leagues to fund a larger share of project costs.
To view the full interview, click here.
