According to Tim Tucker of the AJC, the Hawks officially started renovations on Phillips Arena today. The arena is expected to be closed for four months, until basketball season begins. This will be the first of two offseason phases in the renovation, as it is expected to be completed by the 18-19 season.
This offseason, the Hawks will remove the wall of suites on one side of the arena and will provide various upgrades. Overall, the renovation is set to cost $192.5 million. It will be paid for mostly by public funding, but the Hawks have signed a non-relocation agreement through 2046.