Superdome Independence

An $85 million renovation of the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans is expected to be completed in time for the Fourth of July weekend, when the venue hosts the Essence Festival.

The Superdome has seen $336 million in renovations since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. City officials have noted the improvements eliminated the need to build a new stadium to keep the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. The venue is expected to host the BCS national title game, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four Tournament and the Super Bowl by 2013.

Improvements include two 7,500-square-foot bunker lounges, extended concourses, express elevators and permanent steps from Champions Square to the stadium.

The renovations were put in place as part of the 15-year lease extension between the Saints and the state.