March 17, 2014 - The Observation Deck of the Sunsphere, Knoxville's iconic World's Fair structure, will be closed for several months undergoing extensive renovations on the fourth floor.

"We're hoping to give the Observation Deck a facelift to help direct visitors to all of the wonderful amenities available in the City of Knoxville," explained Jayne Burritt, Director of Property Management for the Public Building Authority (PBA).

The renovations are a joint effort between PBA and Visit Knoxville to upgrade the facilities and provide new interactive media to attract both visitors and Knoxville natives to the Sunsphere.

"We are hoping to revitalize the Observation Deck and make it more of a destination," said Burritt.

Operations are still running on the fifth floor, location of the Icon Lounge, sixth floor, headquarters for Sunsphere events such as receptions or parties, and the seventh and eighth floors, which house offices for private tenants.

"We're still going strong and averaging at least three bookings a week despite all of the construction going on. We just have to be vigilant about putting up signage designating all of the work going on," said Sara Spangler, booking agent for events at the Sunsphere.

Renovations are slated to be complete in late April. The price tag of the improvements is not expected to exceed $10,000 and will include replacing floor and ceiling tiles, improving graphics, installing a new television screen and removing the outdated organ.