The $20 million project will create a new grand entrance which will provide additional concourse space, increased dining options and amenities, additional box-office windows, a new retail area, a dramatic restaurant/club and ground-breaking lounge/club areas. Palace Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Palace, said more than 100 full- and part- time jobs will be created to staff the new areas.

The Palace's original architect, Rossetti Associates, designed the project. Frank Rewold & Son Inc., the building's initial contractor, will construct the project. Construction is to begin this month. The Courtside Lounge and Club is targeted for completion in January 2006 and the north entrance addition is projected to open in April 2006.

"We are excited to begin a new phase in our building's history by introducing these revolutionary concepts in arena design," says Tom Wilson, president and CEO of PSE, which also owns the Detroit Pistons, the home team of the Palace. "With the ever-increasing crowds and demand on our facility, the north entrance addition is a product of anticipating our guests' needs. It will create a vibrant new entrance to our building and provide our guests with exceptional dining options, more services and increased concourse space."