The engineering that saved a city's medical lifeline in 2005
In short: When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, the Superdome became a site of struggle due to leaks and poor lighting. Yet, just across the way, a newer arena stood ready. It wasn't just luck; it was a specific engineering choice made years earlier that saved lives during the storm.
The Smoothie King Center (originally New Orleans Arena) opened in 1999 with a $114 million price tag. While its primary purpose was as a multi-purpose indoor arena for sports and concerts, its structural integrity became a matter of life and death on August 29, 2005. Following Hurricane Katrina, the city's medical operations were moved from the Superdome to the Arena because the latter provided a far superior environment for sensitive procedures.
The reason for this disparity lies in proactive wind engineering. In 1996, a consulting firm named CPP tested the arena's design specifically for wind resistance. This foresight meant that while the Superdome suffered from soggy carpets and leaking ceilings, the Arena fared significantly better during the storm. Because of its structural resilience, it was able to reopen to activities just one month after the hurricane hit.
The venue has since served as a versatile cultural hub, hosting everything from NBA games and NCAA tournaments to WWE events like the Royal Rumble in 2001. It even played a role in local sports history by forcing out the New Orleans Brass ice hockey team in 2002; the state demanded the Brass foot the costs of converting the arena between basketball and hockey configurations, an expense they could not meet. Today, it remains a cornerstone of the Central Business District.
The facility underwent significant aesthetic and functional upgrades in 2013 and 2014, including new entrances and exterior painting. It also became a notable host for the NBA All-Star Game three times—in 2008, 2014, and 2017—the latter occurring after the league pulled the event from Charlotte due to political controversy.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Smoothie King Center
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