The dirt and stains from the 450,000 square feet, white roof have been scrubbed off by workers with the use of high-power hoses.
In a process that began in mid-February 2009 and is expected to last until April 2010, workers are replacing the entire outer layer of the stadium, more than 400,000 square feet of aluminum siding, with a new aluminum panel and insulation and an innovative barrier system for drainage.
The project, which was part of the original $219 million Superdome renovation after Hurricane Katrina, was financed by $7 million from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and $12 million from a 2007 state capital outlay bill.
The 12 inch high by 25 feet long champagne bronze panels that are installed gives an original fresh look to the stadium. The new louvers covering the windows will maintain the monolithic look of the exterior of the Dome while also allowing views into and out of the newly renovated club lounges. The one inch by two inch louvers, a type of external blinds, will provide significant sun shading and reduce cooling costs. The new covering will have a special coating so it will not fade.
The Superdome is hailed as the largest fixed domed structure in the world. Once all three phases of the renovation process are complete, the Superdome will be one of the most up to date facilities in the US.
