NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Madison Square Garden’s facelift is nearing two-thirds completion.

Crews have been working around the clock to modify the upper deck of the famous arena. The upper bowl now features seats that are ten feet closer to the action and concourses that are wider.

WCBS 880’s Peter Haskell reports from inside MSG

Garden president and CEO Hank Ratner told WCBS 880’s Peter Haskell the modifications will be a big improvement for all fans.

“You can see what seating’s like from the upper bowl. This is just, to me, an absolutely incredible seat here – unobstructed, nobody’s walking by, nobody’s standing up. Look how close you are,” Ratner told Haskell.

“The whole upper level has been gutted and taken down,” Ratner added. “It’s filled with all sorts of food service offerings, gourmet chefs as well as bathrooms and other amenities,” he told Haskell.

The three-phase renovation will wind up costing $1 billion. The final stage of the renovation is expected to be complete in time for the start of the 2013-2014 seasons.

Are you excited for the new-look Garden, or did you think it was fine as it was? Share your thoughts in the comments section below…