This Black-owned firm is leading a $215 million arena renovation for the Charlotte Hornets

D.A. Everett Construction Group (DAECG) is a black-owned firm that is spearheading a $215 million renovation of the Spectrum Center, home arena for the Charlotte Hornets. The company, owned by Donovan Everett, is executing the project in partnership with industry powerhouse Turner Construction.

Turner Construction and his firm won the Spectrum Center contract after competing with two other reputable firms. Everett attributes his successful bid and that of Turner’s to his firm’s recent renovation of the Bojangles Coliseum-Oven Auditorium renovation for Charlotte and Turner’s successful completion of the State Farm Arena renovations for the Atlanta Hawks.

“This project affords D.A. Everett increased visibility of our qualifications and capabilities and allows us to strengthen and grow our experience as sports and entertainment contractors,” Everett told BE.

According to the outlet, the project, dubbed “The Reimagine Spectrum Center,” involves many upgrades, including the provision of gathering space for fans, an additional 2,500 lower-level seats, enhancing concourses, improving suite and founders’ levels, creating new club space, and increasing social gathering spaces near food/beverage sites.

Everett’s company’s stake is 20%, meaning the project will bring DAECG in an estimated $15 to 20 million in new revenues this year. In 2025 when a majority of the work has been done, the firm is likely to get $25 million.

The project is expected to improve the company’s visibility and make it a more noticeable player in the construction industry. As a result, the contracting firm is predicting revenues of over $100 million this year, up from a peak of just over $70 million last year. 

“This project has gained a lot of attention locally and nationally, allowing us to become omnipresent. It will further position us to secure other large commercial and public assembly projects locally and regionally that we might not have otherwise been positioned for without it.”

Everett has over 25 years of experience in commercial construction and has executed projects exceeding $2 billion. He has been around the construction business since he was young through his father, who is a general contractor.

Everett graduated from N.C. State with a degree in business management and got a healthcare construction certificate before launching D.A. Everett Construction Group in 2013.