Construction on the renovation of Quicken Loans Arena is set to begin next month.
The initial phase of construction will start mid-February and barriers to define the construction zone will be erected Feb. 5.
That fencing will impede access to the sidewalks in front of the arena.
Phase one will focus on the building's exterior starting on its north side along Huron Road and south side facing Progressive Field. This will affect the entrance and traffic within the Gateway District, meaning entering and exiting the arena will be impacted.
The crosswalks on Huron Road will be redefined for pedestrian traffic and signage will be posted to mark the proper entrances.
Changes to the north side of the arena will add a 42,530-square-foot atrium featuring a glass facade. This expansion will run from the corner of Ontario Street and Huron Road to the corner of Huron Road and E. 6th Street.
An extra 6,350 square feet of main concourse space will be added under the arena's south side expansion.
The Gateway East garage and bridge will remain open. The JACK Casino north bridge will remain open through the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers season prior to its elimination this summer.
On game days, Cleveland police say the following restrictions will apply two hours prior to games and events:
- Huron Road becomes two lanes eastbound from Ontario Street to the Gateway East garage entrance
- Huron Road closes westbound at Prospect Avenue
- E. 4th Street southbound becomes left turn only onto Huron Road
After games and events, traffic flow will be impacted as follows:
- Huron Road closes to eastbound traffic from Ontario Street to the Gateway East garage
- Cars leaving the Gateway East garage at Huron Road can only turn left
- E. 4th Street will be right turn only at Huron Road
On non-game and event days, traffic on Huron Road will become one lane both directions. Traffic control officers will be in the streets.
Quicken Loans Arena will close to all events during the summers of 2018 and 2019.