Work on Rose Bowl press box starts

Jan. 12, 2012 12 AM PT

With the 2012 Rose Bowl game in the history books, stadium officials launched a big phase in the renovation of the 89-year-old stadium this week, beginning demolition of the press box.

Stadium officials said they must complete the work and other upgrades before a Sept. 8 game between the UCLA Bruins and Nebraska Cornhuskers. They are unsure if the facility will be ready to host the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display.

The existing press box will be replaced by a structure five times its size, with expanded luxury suites and premium seating. Work on the press box means seats on the west side of the stadium will be off limits. Seats on the north side of the stadium also will be torn up in the coming months as crews widen access tunnels.

“We will do an analysis of seat capacity because a lot of the stadium will be under construction,” Rose Bowl Operating Co. Chief Executive Darryl Dunn said.“We are assessing the feasibility of hosting the July 4th event, but we need to be ready by Sept. 8.”

On Wednesday, construction crews started demolishing the press box, with welding tools giving off sparks as pieces were removed.

“Major demolition takes place at night,” said Leah Jason, senior project manager with Bernards/Barton Malow, which is overseeing the project.

Construction of the press box is slightly behind schedule, Dunn said. To stay on track, officials added a night shift that runs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. for two to three weeks.

The $160 million renovation project, which includes the press box, a new video screen installed last year, new tunnels and other facilities, is scheduled for completion before the 2014 Rose Bowl game.