Lizzo to Perform at the New CFG Bank Arena
CFG Bank Arena, which will reopen in February after an approximately $200-million renovation, has secured another big touring act as Lizzo will perform there on May 9th. Lizzo joins Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Blink 182, Thomas Rhett, Anita Baker, and Jeff Dunham as acts that have scheduled shows at the renovated arena.
Lizzo released her album “Special” in July and the song “About Damn Time” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
Oak View Group (OVG), which was selected by Baltimore Development Corporation to renovate and manage the arena, began renovations to CFG Bank Arena in March. The venue, which was first built in 1961, will reopen on February 20, 2023 for the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.
Renovations to the arena include “adding seats and suites, refurbishing concourses, upgrading concessions areas, and changing the building’s appearance,” according to an OVG press release.
The release further states: “Additional upgrades to the facility will include focuses on sustainability such as using locally sourced materials, LED lighting, low flow and waterless fixtures, and more; world-class acoustics to amplify the audio experience; next-generation touchless and self-serve technologies for food & beverage and merchandise purchases to minimize transaction times; renovations to the venue’s back of house; structural, mechanical, electrical, lighting and fire protection upgrades; as well as construction encompassing, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, lighting; and updates to the Arena’s telecommunications infrastructure, wireless network, and video/network/security systems.”
The arena has three sides of seating with two decks, and one side with a stage and wall. The stage is currently being demolished.
The capacity will go from 12,289 for basketball games to approximately 15,000.
The Bethesda-based Clark Construction Group is the general contractor on the project. The company has a Baltimore office at Stadium Square in South Baltimore. Clark Construction has set up an OxBlue construction camera in the interior of the arena.
Brisbin Brook Beynon is the architect and Intreegue Design is the landscape architect for exterior spaces.
Thirty Five Ventures is an equity investor in the project. Thirty Five Ventures was founded by Brooklyn Nets player and Maryland native Kevin Durant as well as Rich Kleiman.
Screenshot of the CFG Bank Arena construction camera
Lizza Album Cover
About the Author: Kevin Lynch
Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.
