Phoenix mulling remodel for Suns

Consultant will explore whether option is feasible

Phoenix leaders have for several years looked at building a new, taxpayer-funded arena for the Phoenix Suns. But the city will now spend tens of thousands of dollars to explore whether an upgrade of Talking Stick Resort Arena is a better option.

The city has extended its contract with Barrett Sports Group, a sports-business consultant, in a move that signals a possible shift in strategy for keeping the NBA team downtown.

City Council members voted 7-2 last month to pay Barrett an additional $75,000 to study the feasibility and cost of a renovation. The firm has spent the past year researching options for building a new sports and entertainment arena under a $190,000 contract.

Deputy City Manager Paul Blue said the con-

sultant will examine what upgrades could be done to modernize Talking Stick, which is one of the oldest arenas for NBA teams.

Blue said the group will look at arena renovations around the country for comparison.

“There’s a lot of things that have changed in 25 years,” Blue said. “What are possible options for us to consider? At what cost?”

The Suns have played at the arena, formerly known as US Airways Center and America West Arena, since the building opened in 1992. Phoenix owns the arena, and the Suns lease it.

A spokeswoman for the Suns did not respond to a request for comment. If a deal were to materialize, the team likely would foot a portion of the bill for a new or renovated arena.

Status of Suns’ lease

Uncertainty about the team’s future downtown has increased in recent years. Team owner Robert