What's going on with demolition outside Paycor Stadium? Here's what to know

Anyone walking past Paycor Stadium, or working from a high-rise office downtown, might wonder what's happening with the demolition near the arena's entrance.

It is all part of a $39 million improvement project approved by the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners in December and scheduled to happen before the Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 season.

Workers are expanding the stadium's northeast plaza near Elm Street and Freedom Way to improve crowd flow and accessibility during game days and other events, county spokesperson Amanda Carter said in an email.

"In the past, the area would become congested with the crowds trying to funnel through one specific area, which posed safety concerns," Carter said, adding the plaza's expansion is budgeted at roughly $5.5 million.

The improvement project also includes plans to update the stadium's audio/visual equipment and replace around 7,600 seats between the east and west club levels.

Carter said demolition on the plaza started in February and work should be complete before the Cincinnati Music Festival in July.

These upgrades are just the start of a series of improvements expected at the nearly 24-year-old stadium over the next several years.

An architect's report in 2022 found the stadium will need $493 million worth of basic maintenance and improvements over 20 years. The $39 million covers the first year of that $493 million, Hamilton County Administrator Jeff Aluotto said in December.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Paycor Stadium: What to know about demolition near arena's entrance