In October 2022, preparing for the $300 million renovation of the Lenovo Center, the authority that oversees the arena heard elaborate presentations from three large consulting firms interested in serving as its representative during the construction process.
In the end, the Centennial Authority hired CAA ICON, which had earlier helped shepherd through the historic agreements to renovate the arena and allow Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon to develop the land outside it. Authority members cited their pre-exisiting relationship with CAA ICON and their confidence in the people pledged to their product, including an on-site manager with experience overseeing similar projects.
Tuesday, with construction scheduled to begin as soon as April, the authority’s building and construction committee decided to create a new staff position to fill that role after CAA ICON’s contract with the authority expired Dec. 31 and was not renewed.
“We need to go ahead and be looking for this person right now,” authority executive director Jeff Merritt said.