Huntsville continues to enhance the Von Braun Center (VBC) with $4.5 million in new upgrades, following recent renovations at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall.
Propst Arena and Playhouse improvements
The City Council approved two contracts Thursday night. Modern Mechanical Ice Systems will replace the ice system at Propst Arena with a nearly $3.3 million upgrade, including demolition of the old system. Meanwhile, Heath Wallace, LLC received a $1.2 million contract to renovate restrooms at the Playhouse and South Hall, adding new plumbing fixtures, partitions, flooring, lighting, and mechanical updates. Renovations will be phased to minimize disruption to ongoing events.
Attracting bigger performances
The upgrades follow a $16.5 million renovation of the concert hall, which expanded the backstage area from 4,300 to more than 17,000 square feet, added private dressing rooms, Green Room suites, and enhanced chorus facilities. The improvements aim to accommodate larger productions, more performers, and advanced staging needs.
“These upgrades help attract top-notch acts to Huntsville,” said District 4 Councilman Bill Kling. “Artists look for quality dressing rooms and backstage spaces when planning tours, and the VBC now meets those expectations.”
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