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Quicken Loans Arena Transformation Steps On Huron Rd

Looking southwest at the Huron construction zone.

The transformation of Quicken Loans Arena has already begun. City crews were cutting and grinding a row of trees today along Ontario Avenue to make space. The real construction zone will be along the north side of the arena on Huron. 

Construction crews will reduce Huron Road from five lanes to two on Monday, February 5 th to begin the two-year project. 

“The reality is we have this tremendous amount of work happening,” explained Cavaliers’ Senior Vice President for Facility Operations Antony Bonavita, “both above ground and below ground.”

The $140 million project will expand the walls of the arena outward to greatly enlarge the concourse area of the facility so fans have a place to sit and socialize. The new glass walls will need some room to maneuver.

“We have 500 feet of glass and steel that needs to be erected,” noted Bonavita.  “60 feet tall. So in order to get that, in order to pick that, in order to stand it up you need some space. So we’re going to have to get the lay-down area and the cranes and everything in a space where we can pick it up safely and get it where it needs to go.”   


The skywalk over Huron Rd will remain for 2018 but be taken down for the 2019 construction. [Urycki / ideastream]

The Q will continue to host the Cavs and the Lake Erie Monsters but the Gladiators arena football team will shut down for two years.  Music concerts will continue only until playoffs are over in the summer. Then, said Bonavita, it’s full time construction.

“To our friends at the Indians: enjoy the next two summers. We’ll actually be alleviating traffic for you because we won’t be having a concert or anything during a big series with the Yankees or Boston.”

Bonavita said February 5 th is a good time to start because the Cavaliers only play at home on the 7 th and then are out of town for two weeks. And the late game (8pm) on the 7 th will likely lessen traffic congestion on that first try.

“We expect to get tons of feedback” Bonavita said. 

Cavaliers CEO Len Komoroski with image of Quicken Loans Arena design. 

Cavs CEO Len Komoroski said Gateway Plaza should remain mostly open and the construction zone on Huron may shrink.

“Hopefully within a year we’ll be able to start pulling back on that construction zone itself. This is as significant as it will get.”

Komoroski said the arena’s eastern wall along 6 th Street can expand on a large sidewalk with little effect on the street.

To ease congestion for future games, the arena doors will open 30 minutes earlier than usual for both Cavs (two hours) and Monsters (90 minutes) games.