USA - Stadium and Arena Development News [Archive] - Page 17

Ganis

January 31st, 2009, 07:29 PM

League suggests exploring shared stadium
Nancy Gay, San Francisco Chronicle
Saturday, January 31, 2009

(01-31) 04:00 PST Tampa, Fla. -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell conceded Friday that the 49ers and Raiders stadiums must be replaced, and he said that a shared stadium facility may be the best option in a credit challenged economy racked by recession and job losses.

Asked whether he and the NFL have determined that a joint stadium should replace the decaying Oakland Coliseum and Candlestick Park, Goodell said, "The point that you point out here is that this facility is badly needed in the Bay Area. We have asked both teams to evaluate the possibility of a shared stadium.

"We can't come to a conclusion right now if that's the best option. And in these times, when it's more challenging to get these stadiums built, we have to be more creative."

Goodell discussed the 49ers' and Raiders' stadium concerns during his annual "State of the NFL" address.

Unfortunately, he did not answer this part of the question: How will the league assist in the construction of such a facility?

Instead, Goodell promoted the new Meadowlands Stadium under construction in East Rutherford, N.J. - the $1.6 billion shared home for the Giants and Jets scheduled to open in August 2010 - as a model for the Bay Area teams.

That project received $300 million in funding help from the NFL in 2006, with the remainder being financed by the Giants and Jets 50-50. In the same 2006 meeting, league owners approved a $42.5 million loan for renovations of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

But those projects exhausted the NFL's now-defunct stadium assistance program called G3, and the league has yet to fund a replacement, which means the 49ers and the Raiders - separately or jointly - are largely on their own.

Goodell clearly wants them to consider cohabitation.

"It's been successfully done in New York with the Jets and the Giants, and we think it's something that at least can be explored and evaluated by the two teams and by both communities," Goodell said. "If it ends up being the best solution, then I think that's a great thing."

So what does 49ers president Jed York think?

Are the 49ers - in the midst of haggling with the city of Santa Clara over environmental impact reports, getting a binding measure before voters, and securing a $136 million investment funded largely by redevelopment money - ready to scrap everything and start crunching numbers with Raiders owner Al Davis?

The Raiders are about to go a full month without an official head coach. It's hard to imagine Davis will ramp up stadium talks in time for the 49ers' desired opening date of 2013 or '14.

York said Friday that he is open to the prospect of a shared stadium. But he also emphasized he won't let any discussion about a joint project interrupt the progress the 49ers may be making toward their long-planned facility in Santa Clara.

"No, not at all. It's an option that we're going to look at. It's not something that anybody (from the NFL) is forcing on us," York said. The 49ers have announced they will expand the environmental report to examine how 20 NFL dates will impact Santa Clara.

"But we're still moving along with Santa Clara," York said. "I don't think any of the rumors, talk or the other options we're looking at, like a shared stadium, are going to hurt or hinder what we're doing in Santa Clara."

The recession was front and center in Goodell's rather gloomy address. The commissioner mentioned that the league and its teams have been forced to lay off employees.

"We're not immune from what's going on out there in the economy," he said. "We have to cut our costs."

The league also is headed toward a showdown with the NFL Players Association over a new collective bargaining agreement, which Goodell described as "imperative" given the state of the economy. Owners voted unanimously in May to opt out after the 2010 season, opening the door to a strike or lockout in 2011.

He dismissed the Players Association report released Thursday that teams turned an average profit of $24.7 million last year.

"The best way to answer that is it's completely inaccurate," Goodell said.

E-mail Nancy Gay at ngay@sfchronicle.com.

weava

January 31st, 2009, 07:46 PM

KingmanIII

January 31st, 2009, 10:34 PM

Both teams play in modified baseball stadiums.

If the A's get their new stadium built and move out, Oakland should just tear down the original round side and replace it with a side similar to the newer tall side and put some new stands and scoreboards behind the endzones.

SF needs a need stadium, I wonder why they didn't partner up with stanford when they recently rebuilt their stadium.

Stanford is a private school with a very small undergraduate body (under 7,000), and they struggle to draw 40,000 fans/game even in their new 50,000-seat stadium. I don't think they wanted any part of a partnership with the 49ers, who are presumably seeking a 60- to 70,000-seater with 100+ skyboxes and 5 to 10,000 club seats.

Wezza

February 2nd, 2009, 09:43 AM

Usually the side with no seats is a stage for concerts. Soccer stadiums here tend to host a lot of concerts and putting a stage on the field often leaves the grass in terrible shape so some stadiums have been built with a stage at one end. When soccer becomes more popular here and stadiums don't need concert revenue to be successful, those ends will be turned into seats to increase capacity.

Fair enough. Cheers for that.

mazpro

February 2nd, 2009, 04:03 PM

The Red Bull Arena looks so massive from the PATH train

Is the architect fo the Red Bull Arena also Albert Wimmer?

The Red Bull Arena looks just like the one here in Klagenfurt, Austria, which is a good thing.

The construction looks like the one in Klagenfurt in May 2007:

http://wwwu.edu.uni-klu.ac.at/spismest/minicars/vinnie/austria/19_stadium.jpg

Benn

February 2nd, 2009, 08:06 PM

No, Rossetti Architects, who have done most of the MLS facilities. Should be a great stadium, but it doesn't look like they were to concerned about originality.

Ganis

February 3rd, 2009, 01:03 AM

are they ever?

mazpro

February 3rd, 2009, 02:28 AM

No, Rossetti Architects, who have done most of the MLS facilities. Should be a great stadium, but it doesn't look like they were to concerned about originality.

No legal issues for that?
I don´t know how it is in Architecture, but in any kind of design copycats can be sued. Does Wimmer know? - i bet he does and there must be some arrangement?

metros11

February 3rd, 2009, 11:17 PM

I know it's for Canada..

http://www.bringtheworldtoottawa.ca/images/stadium/stadium-1-lg.jpg

This was one of the preliminary designs for the Metrostars Stadium (now known as Red Bull Arena), minus the building at the bottom of the rendering. And of course it was a Rosetti design.

metros11

February 3rd, 2009, 11:27 PM

No legal issues for that?
I don´t know how it is in Architecture, but in any kind of design copycats can be sued. Does Wimmer know? - i bet he does and there must be some arrangement?

I would think there is some kind of an arrangement in place, considering Red Bull Arena is pretty much a scaled down copy.

metros11

February 3rd, 2009, 11:29 PM

You beat me to it. :)
Still, it would be nice if the AEG had sold the Fire before the stadium was built, damn cheapskates.

AEG covered 0% of the stadium bill. The town of Bridgeview picked up the whole tab. I could be wrong, but as I remember it the stadium was 'sold' to the city as a sport/concert venue.

SIC

February 4th, 2009, 09:29 PM

AEG covered 0% of the stadium bill. The town of Bridgeview picked up the whole tab. I could be wrong, but as I remember it the stadium was 'sold' to the city as a sport/concert venue.
Right, all they wanted was a concert venue.

Red Bull on the other hand invested a lot of their own money to create a proper soccer stadium. If the Fire had been owned by someone else (who cared less about concerts), who knows where it would have ended up. Maybe they would have loved the sport enough to create something like this in the middle of Bridgeport instead of Bridgeview.

Basically AEG we're a bunch of cheapskates when it came to the stadiums. Except for it's precious galaxy, of course.

JYDA

February 4th, 2009, 10:13 PM

Red Bull Arena update:

oJIBGtT5cc4

Ganis

February 5th, 2009, 12:09 AM

the Concert Stages can be removed for stands after soccer becomes more popular in the USA. until then they provide nice out door venues for music festivals.

nyrmetros

February 5th, 2009, 05:34 AM

Good call on the Metrostars - Ottawa stadium.........

tonight

February 5th, 2009, 11:21 AM

:okay:

nyrmetros

February 5th, 2009, 11:02 PM

Wow, that new Houston stadium looks terrible. Yea it's better than nothing...............

ElVoltageDR

February 6th, 2009, 01:25 AM

^Any pics of it? Haven't seen it.

Ganis

February 6th, 2009, 03:57 AM

^Any pics of it? Haven't seen it.

Its a TRue Bowl with a Trap like wrap around it, will sit about 21,000. Rough renderings so far.
http://www.khou.com/video/index.html?nvid=328757&shu=1

NO STAGE THOUGH!!!!!!!

ElVoltageDR

February 6th, 2009, 04:13 AM

Hmm, I'll wait to see a final design. Looks way to basic to be anything near to a final design.

Ganis

February 6th, 2009, 04:22 AM

Houston Dynamo

http://screaming-eagles.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/houston_dynamo-300x300.jpg

MLS Championship
2006, 2007

Possibly the most popular team in the USA.

http://www.khou.com/video/index.html?nvid=328757&shu=1

ryebreadraz

February 6th, 2009, 04:26 AM

Possibly the most popular team in the USA.

Sorry, but the Galaxy are easily the most popular club. Even before Beckham joined and left the club, the Galaxy were leading the league in attendance year after year.

Houstonian

February 6th, 2009, 04:33 AM

I posted these in the wrong area, thanks Ganis for telling me.

Renderings

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/nobious/DynamoStadium/image002.png

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m25/nobious/DynamoStadium/image001.png

Thesite is already cleared; is located in the Warehouse Discrict.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee233/nbrooks503/Stadiumsite_Panorama1.jpg

The rendering of the stadium looks like a space ship (UFO whatever you call it) and it will probaly light up the area; send property values up.

GunnerJacket

February 6th, 2009, 04:36 AM

a) I think Houston might be the most infamous team, given the level of franchise gifted them. But that's nit-picking, and besides...

b) ...I'd say no MLS team has a level of popularity worth bragging about! ;)

- - - - -

As for the stadium, good for Houston. Their fans have stepped up and deserve a proper home. I'll share a toast when they break ground.

:cheers:

ryebreadraz

February 6th, 2009, 06:50 AM

Keep in mind that these are just initial renderings. Right now it's a very bare bones design and doesn't even have a press box or suites. My guess is the final designs will have a better facade, plus the press box and suites. If they go ahead with this design then it will probably be the worst SSS out there, but when it's all said and done, I think it will be an improved design that doesn't make it the best SSS yet still on par with the others around the league. What they definitely have going for them is a great downtown location though.

El Mariachi

February 6th, 2009, 07:46 AM

b) ...I'd say no MLS team has a level of popularity worth bragging about! ;)

:

ain't that the truth.

Its a rough looking rendering--but it looks pretty futuristic and a good step in the right direction.

Houstonian

February 6th, 2009, 08:05 AM

I wouldn't say Houston Dynamo are the most popular team in the MLS. It is hard to judge at this point in time anyways being that the stadium situation in all MLS cities are not the same. There are teams with beautiful new soccer specific stadiums (LA, Salt Lake, etc...) which attract many fans by themselves, and then there are clubs like DC United which probably has the most loyal fans in the MLS, which is due in most part to them being the most successful team in the leagues history.

In any case, I like the design for the stadium. The exterior looks especially nice, and in comparison to those of other MLS stadiums, probably more expensive. Where is te financial backing coming from for the stadium?

All in all, good for the MLS to have more of these new stadiums in the league.

I just wish some of the clubs would change their names to stop trying to sound sppealing to various ethnic minorities in their cities (Real Salt Lake, Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo....:lol:)

Here's the info on the stadium...

http://www.khou.com/video/index.html?nvid=328757

HOUSTON—On the east side of downtown sits the future site of the new Dynamo stadium.

“We think it’s about an $80 to $85 million stadium. (It will have) 21,000 seats, but nothing fancy though. It’s very functional,” said Dynamo GM Oliver Luck.

Many say that the stadium will be functional enough to keep in Houston a championship team that has made noises about moving into the suburbs. It’s hoped it will be functional enough to keep the fans happy.

“It’s gonna be much more fan friendly in terms of concessions and restrooms and some of those things that we just don’t really have over at Robertson Stadium. Most importantly, it’s going to be much easier to get to in terms of the parking and access. A rail line will literally run right next to the stadium,” said Luck.

The new stadium is expected to encourage new development. When it’s finished, it’s expected to increase the property values of everything around it.

It’s reported that after the Dynamo moves in, that extra property tax money would kick $20 million into the project.

Reports indicate that the city is already in the game, but county commissioners still have to approve the deal.

“No one’s taxes are increased. It’s just taking the increased taxes, some of that money and allocating that to help build the stadium,” said Houston council member Peter Brown.

TSU will also pass along $2.5 million for the right to play its football games there, said TSU Athletic Director Charles McClelland.

“We’re gonna’ have our own locker rooms. We’re gonna share the sales for concessions, on ticket sales so it’s gonna’ be the home of the Texas Southern University fighting tigers,” said McClelland.

The players should take to the new field in the first part of 2011.

Looks fancy to me in those renderings.

ain't that the truth.

Its a rough looking rendering--but it looks pretty futuristic and a good step in the right direction.

It looks like a spaceship that just landed on the ground imo lol. :nuts:

hngcm

February 6th, 2009, 11:42 AM

that's beyond bland...at least put a tarp roof or something

Ganis

February 6th, 2009, 09:23 PM

Ganis

February 6th, 2009, 09:24 PM

Stop moving it. Its a proposed stadium. Leave it where it belongs.

www.sercan.de

February 6th, 2009, 09:32 PM

Capacity is under 30,000 ;)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=741492

wearethefuture

February 13th, 2009, 04:29 AM

Didn't know what thread to put this in but i came across this;

Red Bull Arena Update: 10th February.

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200902/3877174.jpg http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200902/3877176.jpg http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200902/3877178.jpg http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200902/3877177.jpg

@ http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/3839032.php?imageGalleryXRefId=937465#imgXR

Ganis

February 13th, 2009, 06:05 AM

I see problems for people getting these high seats by the box.

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200902/3877178.jpg

canarywondergod

February 13th, 2009, 07:07 PM

they most likely wont put seats there, otherwise as you said they wont be able to see the pitch!

tritown

February 13th, 2009, 10:07 PM

b) ...I'd say no MLS team has a level of popularity worth bragging about! ;)

:cheers:

Really? What about Toronto, Los Angeles, or Seattle? DC Fans could probably brag, too, if they were allowed to build a stadium there.

en1044

February 16th, 2009, 03:11 AM

United owner MacFarlane pitches stadium to Pr. George's delegation

D.C. United advanced its discussions with Maryland officials Friday to build a soccer stadium in Prince George’s County, possibly ending the team’s 13-year stint at RFK Stadium and moving the Major League Soccer team out of D.C.

Victor MacFarlane of MacFarlane Partners, majority owner of the team, presented plans to build a 24,000-seat stadium in the county to most of the 23 Prince George’s General Assembly delegates in Annapolis, according to Del. Jolene Ivey, D-Prince George’s County. MacFarlane and team officials told the delegation that the project will not cost the county existing tax revenue for infrastructure and would create new jobs, Ivey said.

“We’ll have to dig into it to know how much of everything they said was true,” Ivey said. “It was the first time they were talking to us about it.”

She said she was encouraged by the meeting and is in favor of the stadium.

“It sounds like the right thing for the county,” she said.

Del. Melony Griffith, D-Prince George’s, introduced legislation authorizing funding for the stadium in the Maryland House. The bill would allow the team to negotiate with the Maryland Stadium Authority, which operates the baseball and football stadiums in Baltimore, and authorize the authority to acquire the site.

This is just latest step in D.C. United’s effort to build a new soccer-only stadium, a recent trend for many of Major League Soccer’s teams. The team negotiated with D.C. officials to no avail, prompting D.C. Councilman Marion Barry, D-Ward 8, to blast current Mayor Adrian Fenty for failing the do as much as possible to keep the team.

“It’s a sad day for the District of Columbia,” Barry said, noting that members of the Ward 8 community who have been involved in years of planning for Poplar Point are deeply disappointed. “They’re outraged, like I am. They blame Mayor Fenty personally for this team leaving.”

Barry, who was elected four times as mayor, said major development projects require the mayor’s personal involvement and that Fenty appeared unwilling to provide that. “It’s the mayor’s fault that D.C. United is gone,” he said.

D.C. United has called RFK Stadium home since its inception in 1996, winning the MLS Cup championship four times and becoming one of the league’s most successful teams. But not owning its own stadium has hurt it on the business side because it can’t capture as much of a share of the concession revenue.

Because United has already spent nearly a decade trolling for a stadium, the team is now working on an aggressive timeline. Team spokesman Doug said the team expects to decide on a site in 30 to 60 days and would like to start construction in 2009 and finish in time for the team to play its 2012 season there.

Hicks said United is considering five sites, three of which are near Metrorail stations and two others of which “have superior transportation access.” The Washington Post reported Friday that two sites near the Morgan Boulevard Metrorail Station and another in Largo are among the candidates.

Ivey reported that MacFarlane’s team declined to disclosed the potential locations to the state delegates, but one source close to the team’s thinking said a leading contender is a location near FedEx Field in Landover, where the Washington Redskins play.

Hicks said all of the possible locations for the stadium “have the potential for mixed use development.” San Francisco-based MacFarlane Partners is a developer and equity partner in several national and local projects.

MacFarlane, managing principal of MacFarlane Partners, had told D.C. officiaals he would pay for a stadium himself, but he wanted the city to help out with surrounding infrastructure costs. He asked the city to allow him to build the stadium as part of a massive mixed use development at Poplar Point on the east bank of the Anacostia River.

MacFarlane neogtitated with the city for several months, but talks broke down in the summer of 2007, with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty rejecting his proposal in favor of issuing a public solicitation for Poplar Point. The mayor left it up to the bidders on whether they would include a soccer stadium in their proposals. In Feburary 2008, the mayor selected Clark Enterprises Inc. to develop Poplar. Clark featured a stadium in its vision, but apparently never seriously negotiated with MacFarlane.

Two week ago, the District terminated Clark as Poplar’s master developer citing the “extremely challenging economic environment.” A Fenty spokeswoman declined to comment until the mayor reviewed the proposed Maryland legislation.

But Barry said United’s potential move out of the District is “absolutely” a done deal. He said he knew the city was at risk of losing the team in the fall when he attended a Washington Redskins game with friend Jack Johnson, Prince George’s County executive. “He said, ‘We’re going to go after D.C. United. Nothing personal, but if you don’t want them we’re going to go after them,’” Barry said. “So I think it’s pretty much a done deal.”

Zorba

February 16th, 2009, 04:35 AM

^^
Why does Fenty have to be such an idiot? Building a stadium in DC is almost impossible. It's a shame the MLS' most successful team can't even play in their own city......

en1044

February 16th, 2009, 04:36 AM

^^
Why does Fenty have to be such an idiot? Building a stadium in DC is almost impossible. It's a shame the MLS' most successful team can't even play in their own city......

Who knows....who knows.

metros11

February 20th, 2009, 07:33 PM

^^
Why does Fenty have to be such an idiot? Building a stadium in DC is almost impossible. It's a shame the MLS' most successful team can't even play in their own city......

Fenty has never agreed with providing public funds for stadiums. It was his predecessor who signed the deal with the Nationals. Now he has a stadium that doesn't make enough money to pay for itself, and on top of that the ownership is suing the city because the stadium was not built to their specs. Fenty is right to be cautious, if MLS fails there is no guarantee that MLS will succeed. I would agree that regardless of what goes up at Poplar Point the city will have to shell out money on infrastructure. But $200M in infrastructure for a $150M stadium seems kind of steep, no? Now McFarlane is asking Maryland for $150M... does he honestly think that he's going to get that money during the current economic state? It's a mess. If they want the thing built sooner rather then later the ownership will have to shell out most of the money for their project, much like Red Bull.

GunnerJacket

February 20th, 2009, 09:27 PM

It was his predecessor who signed the deal with the Nationals. Now he has a stadium that doesn't make enough money to pay for itself, and on top of that the ownership is suing the city because the stadium was not built to their specs.Asinine move on DC's part given the demands of MLB. But the conditions for United were vastly different, especially the contributions on behalf of the owners.
Fenty is right to be cautious, if MLS fails there is no guarantee that MLS will succeed. You're right - Failure is a huge impediment to success.;)
But $200M in infrastructure for a $150M stadium seems kind of steep, no? Now McFarlane is asking Maryland for $150M... does he honestly think that he's going to get that money during the current economic state? The $200M was for more than the stadium, as Poplar Point involved a larger mixed use development as well. As for Maryland, I've not heard him asking for the same amount of cash since they haven't even chosen a specific site to determine the level of improvements needed. All they've inferred is that the owners have the same amount of funds to contribute as before. I'd suspect the end cost to MD will be lower than what was asked of DC, unless the scope of the entire development is changed.

hoosier

February 21st, 2009, 06:38 AM

^^
Building a stadium in DC is almost impossible.

What? A $611 million baseball stadium opened in DC in 2008. A basketball stadium opened there in 1997.

GunnerJacket

February 21st, 2009, 06:09 PM

What? A $611 million baseball stadium opened in DC in 2008. A basketball stadium opened there in 1997.The arena had a greater cost/benefit ratio for it's functionality, what with two tenants already a given and the need for additional convention and concert space as part of their downtown renaissance. Arenas always have that luxury. The baseball stadium was a political boondoggle, however, one they were forced into by MLB and select supporters. I'm still stunned they caved into the demands to have that thing paid for 100% via public funds. :ohno: Those are some politicians I know will have some work to do before reaching a happy afterlife.

Meanwhile, the most beloved franchise in the capital, the Redskins (sic), were essentially dealt out of any improvements to RFK. It's not entirely DC's fault, but the current crop of folks have become quite blunt in their myopic opportunism regarding development within the city.

Bottom line, United have been screwed over several times by the powers that be in DC.

Houstonian

February 21st, 2009, 07:05 PM

It will be called the "Astrodome studios" and will be presented to the Houston City Council next month. :banana:

From Swamplot..

Still waiting in the wings, the long-promoted but as-yet-unmade proposal to turn the long-vacant Astrodome into a giant indoor movie lot is almost ready for its closeup, says Christine Hall in the Houston Business Journal. Astrodome Studios co-executive directors Elise Hendrix and Cynthia Neely

along with a laundry list of supporters, including “Dazed and Confused” director/writer Richard Linklater, are one month away from presenting a proposal to Harris County that would put a major soundstage and movie production studio into the proclaimed “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

“We would have absolutely everything a creative agency would need to film a movie,” Hendrix says. “With 140,000 square feet, you wouldn’t have any problem building a city in there if you needed to.”

But what would an Astrodome movie studio look like, really? To help unimaginative county officials picture the transformation, Astrodome Studios has prepared the dramatic photo-illustration above, along with a series of similarly rich diagrams:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/1.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/2.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/3.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/4.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/6.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/7.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/8.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/9.jpg

This development has a website and a myspace lol.

Site:http://www.astrodomestudios.net/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Myspace page:http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=203362342

___________________

Is Dynamo stadium on th Eve of being a done deal?

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/dynamosign.jpg

http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/is-downtown-stadium-in-houston-on-the-eve-of-being-a-done-deal/1977

With the Houston Dynamo’s opening match of the CONCACAF Champions League’s knockout stage quickly approaching on February 24th, it’s time to take a quick look at what’s going on here in Houston.

The franchise made the move from San Jose to Houston, with the impression that it would be easier to obtain a stadium deal in Houston. With the Dynamo’s fourth season starting next month, the club still calls the rundown Robertson Stadium, located on the University of Houston campus in the Third Ward, home. Without rehashing the long, tortuous route the stadium process has taken, it appears that the Houston Dynamo will be starting the 2011 MLS season in a new stadium located on the eastern edge of Downtown Houston. This afternoon, Houston Dynamo CEO Oliver Luck made an appearance on the Ken Hoffman show on 1560 The Game. While Luck was primarily there to promote the Dynamo’s new $150 season ticket package and the $32 special for 4 tickets to the Dynamo’s game against Atlante on Wednesday February 24th. However, Hoffy asked Luck about the status of the stadium negotiations, Luck did not say a final deal had been forged, but nonchalantly and openly stated the team would be in a new downtown stadium in 2011. Gone were the caveats and spin of the past.

More importantly, Luck stated that an unnamed bank has agreed to involve itself in the financing of the Tax Increment Redevelopment Zone a/k/a TIRZ that is at the heart of the public funding associated with the potential stadium. Unlike the sporting palaces recently built for the Astros, Rockets, and Texans, the Dynamo stadium carries a projected cost of under $100 million with only a fraction of the cost coming from public sources. This means that instead of relying on local taxes, which would require a vote, to fund the stadium, the City of Houston and Harris County will provide funds through the TIRZ that will go towards infrastructure improvements. Little, if any, public money will be used on the actual stadium. While a deal has not been finalized, the fact that a bank has agreed to finance the TIRZ, despite the credit crunch and current economy, is an indication that the Dynamo, the City, and the County are on the eve of finalizing a stadium deal.

Speaking of the current economic situation, MLS and the Dynamo, as well as most of the other MLS teams, should be applauded for providing affordable season ticket packages.

ryebreadraz

February 21st, 2009, 07:35 PM

I highly doubt that's the Dynamo Stadium. It's an exact replica of the Home Depot Center, just with orange seats. Not something similar, but an exact replica. The Dynamo released preliminary renderings a few weeks ago and they look nothing like this.

rantanamo

March 21st, 2009, 04:42 PM

Roofed stadiums in the US, whether it be partial, retractable or domed

Chase Field(retractable)

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/4927958.jpg
http://jcrcc.com/photogallery/Photos/Bank%20One%20Ballpark/PICT0024.JPG
http://image46.webshots.com/47/9/0/89/2095900890053645945imrNPV_fs.jpg

University of Phoenix Stadium(Retractable)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/__0Rhaok3mzU/R3ySGas63PI/AAAAAAAAB18/Tcm6LinMQqg/s912/PC230022.JPG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2179363765_e7d88c2867_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/242557894_d39c40d63c_b.jpg

rantanamo

March 21st, 2009, 04:57 PM

Georgia Dome

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2741559910_47110cc14e_b.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/haldcottingham/GeorgiaDomeAug22008129.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/haldcottingham/GeorgiaDomeAug22008135.jpg

Zeno2

March 21st, 2009, 05:57 PM

edit

soup or man

March 21st, 2009, 06:10 PM

Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2768200703_e9757efa5d_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2772016197_5c190b8c8a_o.jpg

Safeco Field (Seattle Mariners)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/255114915_429974c6d8_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/530223287_dcc4e14443_o.jpg

Reliant Stadium (Houston Texans)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/214475646_55358a27ba_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2917719982_bcce77202d_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/1032360828_189802551d_o.jpg

en1044

March 21st, 2009, 07:36 PM

Why was the roof thread moved to the development thread?

www.sercan.de

March 21st, 2009, 07:51 PM

Cause you can talk here about stadiums and clubs etc
Its not just about new projects

rantanamo

March 21st, 2009, 10:09 PM

I made the thread so the statement, "why don't stadiums in the US have roofs" can stop coming up every month.

HoldenV8

March 22nd, 2009, 08:42 AM

Hey soup or man, no offense mate but have you ever heard of thumbnails? But its not just you, its all those who post pics so large you need a 68 inch wide screen TV just to see them.....

Just my rant, my opinion.

rantanamo

March 23rd, 2009, 05:55 AM

I like the big pics, but then again I have a 28" monitor

Ganis

March 25th, 2009, 04:22 AM

O MY GOD THOSE IMAGES WERE HUGE.
down size man. I think we need to put up a compact parking only sign for Images.

So from Huge pictures of small stadiums to small images of a huge stadium.
JERRY WORLD! or Death Star as we are starting to call it.

New Dallas Cowboys Stadium for those of you not paying attention.

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp101/brinkwest/CowStadium1-022309.jpg

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp101/brinkwest/CowStadium3-022309.jpg

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp101/brinkwest/CowStadium2-022309.jpg

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp101/brinkwest/CowStadium4-022309.jpg

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp101/brinkwest/CowStadium5-022309.jpg

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp101/brinkwest/CowStadium6-022309.jpg

limerickguy

March 27th, 2009, 02:16 PM

i was looking at the glendale stadium there in arizona and its the exact same design as croke park in dublin ireland..can you see the similarieties?!

glendale capacity 63,400

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/214157231_1a6b5b8967.jpg?v=0

http://www.azcardinals.com/stadium/images/flagnewstadium.jpg

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbGraphic/200901/1152457.jpg

http://www.eburley.com/wp-content/uploads/l-640-480-e5dfbe43-f394-4517-8e92-cae7c396a32b.jpeg

croke park capacity 82,500

http://www.keioc.net/uploads/images/croke-park.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/2129191704_a0ff520423.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1273/827406448_e030470bd9.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/30711682_8c287740f6.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/191835910_9944e4081f_b.jpg

trmather

March 27th, 2009, 10:10 PM

Erm...no...

Puertalian

March 28th, 2009, 12:22 AM

your high son.

Ganis

March 28th, 2009, 02:02 AM

I want what your smoking!!!!!

mlm

March 28th, 2009, 02:32 AM

Georgia Dome

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2741559910_47110cc14e_b.jpg
When did Georgia Dome get these new seats? Looks se much better than the old green ones, almost like a new arena. :)

en1044

March 28th, 2009, 03:50 AM

um...care to clarify?

http://www.crokepark.ie/images/crokepark_match_art_low_res.jpg

http://www.2-tickets.com/venues/CardinalsStadium_ALL.gif

ryebreadraz

March 28th, 2009, 09:11 AM

When did Georgia Dome get these new seats? Looks se much better than the old green ones, almost like a new arena. :)

Prior to the last NFL season.

limerickguy

March 28th, 2009, 05:07 PM

forget the fact that it only has 3 sides..its stands are virtually the same! one big tier at the bottom followed by two small ones then another big one!? :ohno: no?? sheesh...i thought it did anyway!

en1044

March 28th, 2009, 06:29 PM

forget the fact that it only has 3 sides..its stands are virtually the same! one big tier at the bottom followed by two small ones then another big one!? :ohno: no?? sheesh...i thought it did anyway!

Thats a pretty typical stadium setup.

FrankCostello

March 29th, 2009, 05:36 AM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2741559910_47110cc14e_b.jpg

I love the contrast here...

likasz

March 29th, 2009, 11:30 AM

What was the biggest indoor arena ever planned in USA?I mean arena only for indoor sports like basketball or hockey.

en1044

March 29th, 2009, 06:18 PM

What was the biggest indoor arena ever planned in USA?I mean arena only for indoor sports like basketball or hockey.

Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee. Before it was renovated it could hold 24,678 people.

http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/tenn/graphics/stadiums/arena-checkers_9535.jpg

http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/tenn/graphics/stadiums/arena-07_5764-600.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/2190669140_8fb7a162ee.jpg

likasz

March 29th, 2009, 06:47 PM

^^ there was no plans of bigger arena?I mean over 30k?

ryebreadraz

March 29th, 2009, 08:36 PM

^^ there was no plans of bigger arena?I mean over 30k?

The sports played in arenas (basketball/hockey) are played on smaller playing fields and if you had a 30k+ arena so many seats would be so far away from the playing surface that you'd have no idea what was going on. You can't be as far away watching basketball or hockey as you can football, soccer or baseball.

en1044

March 29th, 2009, 11:20 PM

^^ there was no plans of bigger arena?I mean over 30k?

No, there really isnt a need for something that big here. Unless youre playing in a college basketball final something that size would be pointless.

ChapinUrbano

March 30th, 2009, 12:19 AM

Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, here are some pics from yesterday Sat. March 28th.

This pic is from I-30 almost entering Arlington coming from Fort Worth.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/3856/combowysstadium00178330.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7306/combowysstadium018stitc.jpg

On the left Six Flags Over Texas, center The Ballpark for the Texas Rangers, and right the Cowboys Stadium.

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/9875/combowysstadium027stitc.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9642/combowysstadium02781412.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/341/combowysstadium03081695.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1228/combowysstadium03582387.jpg[/QUOTE]

Topher51

March 31st, 2009, 03:28 AM

The sports played in arenas (basketball/hockey) are played on smaller playing fields and if you had a 30k+ arena so many seats would be so far away from the playing surface that you'd have no idea what was going on. You can't be as far away watching basketball or hockey as you can football, soccer or baseball.

However, the domed (American) football stadiums are frequently used for big basketball events like conference tournaments and the NCAA Final Four. This is Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. It is hosting the Final Four this year and has a capacity of 78,000 when set up for basketball. Since Michigan State is playing, I am sure they will sell every seat.

ryebreadraz is right though, in a stadium this big, you wont be able to follow the game that well from the distant seats. It's for the national title though, so the atmosphere will make up for it.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/FordField-2008NCAAtournament-MidwestRegional.jpg/800px-FordField-2008NCAAtournament-MidwestRegional.jpg

Ganis

March 31st, 2009, 09:09 AM

ryebreadraz is right though, in a stadium this big, you wont be able to follow the game that well from the distant seats.

Wait till they play the Final Four in the New Cowboys Stadium.

Benn

March 31st, 2009, 11:48 PM

It will be the same difference, the back row there is as far as anywhere in America if not the world. The scoreboard will help, but unless they put in seating over the lower deck the sightlines will be awful. Lucas Oil Field in Indy is the only stadium with the Final Four seriously taken into consideration, and the only way to proguce legit sightlines would be to either have a retractable lower level or be able to drop the field 15'-20'.

hkskyline

May 31st, 2009, 07:01 AM

Bobcat Stadium expansion put on hold, potential donors feeling economic crunch
27 May 2009

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - The start of Montana State's planned expansion of Bobcat Stadium has been delayed by at least a year due to the economic crunch, athletics director Peter Fields said.

"People feel like we have a good project and that we've laid out a good plan," Fields said. "They want to be involved but they want to see what's going on with their own economic futures before they invest in something else."

The first $9 million phase of the project calls for construction of 38 SkySuites on two levels above the existing east grandstand.

The entire project, which Fields has said could take as long as 20 years and $100 million to complete, includes replacing the east grandstand, adding an academic center, an indoor practice facility, improved strength training and sports medicine facilities and upgrades to other athletics facilities.

Artificial turf was installed at Bobcat Stadium last summer.

Fields said the athletics department will not seek state funds or student fees to help pay for the work, he said.

Bobcat football coach Rob Ash said school officials will be working hard to raise the money.

"Things have slowed down a little bit," he said. "Charitable giving is down across the country. It's an issue, but we're not going to sit back and wait around. We're going to actively pursue the donors that have to help us for the stadium project.

"I personally want to continue to actively talk about the indoor practice facility," he added. "I still think that's what we need here more than anything else. It would benefit all student-athletes, not just football."

hkskyline

June 3rd, 2009, 07:11 PM

So long: Detroit board OKs leveling Tiger Stadium
2 June 2009

DETROIT (AP) - What remains of historic Tiger Stadium will be demolished after the city rejected a $33.4 million proposal by a nonprofit group to preserve and renovate the old ballpark.

The Economic Development Corp. board voted 7-1 on Tuesday to authorize the complete demolition of the stadium, said Waymon Guillebeaux, executive vice president of project management for the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., a public-private group that staffs the EDC.

"We cannot have a partially demolished building remaining indefinitely," Guillebeaux told The Associated Press.

A nonprofit group trying to save the stadium blasted the decision, saying it wasn't told a vote was coming. One leader called the board's decision "shortsighted."

"We are obviously going to do everything we can -- including calling on all of our friends and supporters -- to try to get this decision reversed," said Gary Gillette, board member and secretary of the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy.

The ballpark at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull became home to the Tigers in 1912, when it opened as Navin Field. The beloved stadium hosted 87 years of baseball, three All-Star games, Babe Ruth's 700th career home run in 1934 and even the Detroit Lions from 1938 to 1974.

The city, which owns the stadium, searched for ways to develop the site after the Tigers departed for nearby Comerica Park after the 1999 season. After a few years, officials began to talk about demolishing the building to make way for new development.

Wrecking crews finally went to work last June, and much of the stadium was torn down by fall. But the Detroit City Council voted 5-3 last October to spare -- for the time being -- a remaining wedge stretching from dugout to dugout. Council members said they wanted to give stadium advocates, led by the conservancy, more time to raise funds for a proposed redevelopment of the surviving structure.

The group submitted a plan earlier this year to renovate the stadium into a commercial building with a working ballfield for youth and amateur baseball. The project had an estimated price tag of $33.4 million, much of which would be covered by historical and other tax credits. A $3.8 million federal earmark also was approved for the project.

"In terms of some of their plans, they met our approval," Guillebeaux said. "The biggest issue was the funding."

Guillebeaux said the conservancy's proposal relied on plans to raise funds rather than money, loans and credits already in hand.

"If they came in with a solid, well-funded plan, I'm sure we would discuss it," he said. "But at this point they have been afforded every opportunity to provide that."

The conservancy has struggled to raise money "in the teeth of the worst economic situation since the Great Depression," Gillette said, but progress is being made and the group is optimistic it can reach its fundraising goals.

Gillette said other development projects in Detroit seem to be given "the benefit of the doubt" when it comes to funding benchmarks, but the stadium project is falling victim to the DEGC's "blind lust for demolition. Their idea of how to redevelop Detroit is to demolish it."

Guillebeaux said negotiations already are under way with the two Detroit-area companies that carried out last year's partial demolition under a joint venture allowing them to sell the stadium's steel and other components for scrap. The city didn't pay for the project but forfeited a $300,000 payment from the companies by not authorizing the complete demolition of the ballpark.

That isn't an option this time around, Guillebeaux said, given a sharp decline in scrap prices in the last year. Demolishing the rest of the stadium likely will cost the city about $400,000, with $300,000 covered by money put up by the conservancy in advance, in case their plans for the site were rejected or fell through, he said.

Guillebeaux said demolition will begin as soon as possible.

Ganis

June 3rd, 2009, 07:51 PM

everything must go at some point

Scba

June 10th, 2009, 07:21 PM

The new CWS ballpark soon to be under construction in Omaha officially named TD Ameritrade Park. Wish I could make a thread for it...

ryebreadraz

June 11th, 2009, 02:19 AM

The new CWS ballpark soon to be under construction in Omaha officially named TD Ameritrade Park. Wish I could make a thread for it...

A college baseball stadium thread that you can address it all in:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=839768

Scba

June 11th, 2009, 03:27 AM

A college baseball stadium thread that you can address it all in:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=839768

True, but I meant a development thread, since it'll be u/c for a few years.

Ganis

June 11th, 2009, 09:22 AM

I think there needs to be an area for threads for stadiums under 30,000 that are IMPORTANT! US Soccer Stadiums and College Baseball Championship Stadium.

Scba

June 12th, 2009, 03:38 AM

Maybe I can get by on the loophole that it expands to 35,000. Can't hurt to try.

hkskyline

June 16th, 2009, 03:20 PM

Nets CEO defends decision to jettison design of architect Frank Gehry
10 June 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - The chief executive of the Nets defended his team's decision to jettison architect Frank Gehry's design for a new arena in Brooklyn and replace it with a more conventional and less costly option.

The team announced last week that the Barclays Center in Brooklyn will be based on a design by Ellerbe Becket.

Nicolai Ouroussoff, the architecture critic of The New York Times, wrote Tuesday that the switch was "a shameful betrayal of the public trust, one that should enrage all those who care about this city." He called the new plan "a colossal, spiritless box" and said "its low-budget, no-frills design embodies the crass, bottom-line mentality that puts personal profit above the public good."

"Unfortunately the world we live in today is very different than what it was three or four years ago when we hired Frank," Nets chief executive Brett Yormark said Wednesday at Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal's conference on sports facilities and franchises.

"The world is more simplistic. It's not as grand and glitzy. And I'm not sure that design would have been appropriate right now, as much as we all loved it. I think the design that we have now is very appropriate. It speaks to Brooklyn."

Also at the conference:

--Mark Lamping, chief executive of the company building a new stadium for the Giants and Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., said he'd like to have a naming-rights deal before the building opens next year but sounded unsure whether he will.

--Mets executive vice president Dave Howard defended his team's $400 million, 20-year deal with Citigroup Inc. for Citi Field.

The Nets say they must break ground for the arena before the end of the year. Barclays PLC had the right to terminate its naming rights deal when construction failed to begin by last December, according to Yormark, but decided to give a one-year grace period.

Yormark said that despite the recession, there was still sufficient resources in the area to sell luxury suites.

"There is so much money in New York, and people still have it and made lots of it over the years," he said. "In today's market, if you can create that value proposition, they will spend it. And yeah, you can't take it for granted anymore and they're not out there leading with their wallet, but if there's good justification, people have disposable income in this market. There are 20 million people, and you can be successful."

However, he has learned from the empty premium seats at new Yankee Stadium, which are priced at $500 to $2,625.

"In some cases they have been scrutinized unfairly, in most cases unfairly," he said. "But I think what it has taught me and I think just people in general in the industry is the power or PR and how to manage PR and how to try to redefine perception. I just think it's made me look at that a little differently because you want to control the message in the market before the message is controlled for you."

New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek, in a later segment, repeated the Nets would be welcome at the Prudential Center in Newark if the Brooklyn deal falls through.

"We've always said that they would. We'd certainly welcome them with open arms," he said.

At the Meadowlands, talks with Allianz SE ended last September after Holocaust survivors and football fans said seeing the company's name on the stadium would be a constant reminder of the company's ties to Nazi Germany.

"The Jets and the Giants will be playing in this facility for a long, long time," Lamping said. "You can't force the economics of the deal in year one or year two simply because the market may not be where it needs to be."

As for Citi Field, Reps. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and Ted Poe, R-Texas, urged Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to demand that Citigroup cancel the deal because of $45 billion the bank received in government aid. Six New York House members asked the Obama administration to ignore the complaints.

"I just found that to be a very unfortunate, you know, politicizing of the issue," Howard said. "In this country, a contract is a contract. Congress does not have the power or the right to dictate that a contract should be breached. That to me is very offensive from a policy standpoint."

Howard said empty seats were not a big issue at Citi Field, where the top ticket price averages $495.

"I think we've been unfairly sort of tendered in this discussion," he said. "Where we see the issue for us is at the sort of I would say the fringes of the changes in the price points. ... It's not behind home plate. For us, it's not above the dugouts that's an issue. It's sort of in the fringes of the outfield, the fringes on the club level."

------

AP Sports Writer Rachel Cohen contributed to this report.

lpioe

June 16th, 2009, 04:30 PM

^^ Any renders of the old and the new project?

Ganis

June 16th, 2009, 06:23 PM

I thought everyone would be happy since they weren't getting those goofy towers that came with it.

Benn

June 16th, 2009, 07:25 PM

No, the initial render shown in the New York times looked like they were just going to plop down the Conseco Fieldhouse on Atlantic and Flatbush, which is really lazy, and not addressing the site specifics at all. Say what you will about Gehry's plan (I personally liked it) at least he spent some time analyzing what would really serve the area the best, not just the team. I know they are on something of a budget now ($400-500 million), but they could at the very least do something original.

TexasBoi

June 18th, 2009, 06:08 AM

yeah...thats when Jerry went the other way and sold his soul for three more...

And the Devil said, "From now on ye shall play with crackhheads and convicts."" And it was good.

In Dallas.

This is rich coming from a Redskin fan who has Satan himself as their owner.:lol:

en1044

June 18th, 2009, 06:10 AM

This is rich coming from a Redskin fan who has Satan himself as their owner.:lol:

and my team affiliation matters because?

I'll be the first to say FedEx is a piece of shit.

BTW, we all know Jerry is the real Satan.

Ganis

June 18th, 2009, 06:27 AM

Nice stadium. Hope the visiting teams like it more :)
sorry, can't stand the Cowboys.

After the Giants/Jets, I wonder how long it will be before another new NFL stadium gets built?

Minnesota
San Francisco/ Oakland
San Diego
Washington
Buffalo
St Louis

Nordeaster

June 18th, 2009, 05:42 PM

http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=247&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=2040

Here is a link to minnescraper.com. There are updated pics of the new Twins stadium under construction in downtown Minneapolis.

ryebreadraz

June 18th, 2009, 10:04 PM

Minnesota
San Francisco/ Oakland
San Diego
Washington
Buffalo
St Louis

There's also the possibility of a stadium in Los Angeles. A lot of possibilites wrt to NFL stadiums right now.

hkskyline

June 27th, 2009, 08:39 AM

Official: Pontiac Silverdome, the former home of Detroit Lions, may be auctioned off
26 June 2009

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - The former home of the Detroit Lions may be headed to the auction block.

Emergency Financial Manager Fred Leeb says attempts to sell the Pontiac Silverdome have not been successful, and he's prepared to hand it over to an auctioneer if it will speed up the sale of the empty landmark.

Leeb tells The Oakland Press that Pontiac will continue negotiating with potential buyers, but the Detroit suburb also will set up a worldwide auction.

The city spends about $1.5 million annually to maintain the structure.

Pontiac has tried repeatedly to sell the 80,000-seat domed stadium since the Lions left in 2002 to move to Ford Field in Detroit.

Scba

June 27th, 2009, 04:50 PM

TD Ameritrade Park, opening 2011, replaces aging Rosenblatt Stadium (Built 1948, 25,500) as the main baseball facility in Omaha as the new home of the College World Series, passing the torch as the largest baseball stadium in the US without a Major League team. The CWS will be played here for at least 20 years, but the AAA Omaha Royals, who shared Rosenblatt, will move to a smaller stadium in Sarpy County. It's expected that TD Ameritrade could attract minor league All-Star games and major league exhibitions, or serve as the emergency neutral-site or temporary home for an MLB team.

Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Tenants: College World Series, Creighton University, Other (Not Omaha Royals)
Construction begins: 2009
Targeted completion: 2011
Cost: $128 million
Capacity: 24,000 permanent, expands to 35,000 for major events (CWS, MLB games)
26 luxury suites, 1,000 club seats

http://www.omahastadium.com/images/stories/images/hp_stad_1.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5d/AMTDparkrendering.jpg

http://www.omahastadium.com/images/stories/images/hp_stad_2.jpg

Current site:

http://www.tdameritradeparkomaha.com/ConstructionImages/06-10-09_TD_Ameritrade_Park-23.jpg

http://www.tdameritradeparkomaha.com/site/alt-home.asp

Scba

June 27th, 2009, 04:52 PM

The rule is that a stadium must have a 30k+ capacity, and though permanent is only officially 24k, I'd expect 30k to be broken easily once the grounds open for the CWS.

Bigmac1212

June 27th, 2009, 04:56 PM

Sheesh, why not call it Rosenblatt Stadium II?

Scba

June 27th, 2009, 05:01 PM

Sheesh, why not call it Rosenblatt Stadium II?

For that much money, on a non-MLB stadium, gotta have a corporate sponsor.

Ganis

June 27th, 2009, 07:03 PM

I like it. Omaha Is really turning into a beautiful city.

ryebreadraz

June 27th, 2009, 07:39 PM

I definitely don't love that they're leaving Rosenblatt. It's a great place with so much history and it's not a bad place to watch a game. That said, if the NCAA was demanding that the city build a new stadium to keep the College World Series, then they did the right thing. While the stadium is part of the history, it's the city of Omaha and their people that make the CWS truly special. This stadium looks solid. Not great, but it will more than get the job done.

El Mariachi

June 27th, 2009, 09:07 PM

thats a sharp looking stadium.

I would love to see Omaha get an MLB team. Its not going to happen, but it seems like a nice city to have professional baseball.

weava

June 28th, 2009, 12:36 AM

It seems to large for Creighton but if they do play there it will be by far the nicest home field in the MVC which is saying something since WSU and MSU have nice stadiums for college teams.

KingmanIII

June 28th, 2009, 02:51 AM

thats a sharp looking stadium.

I would love to see Omaha get an MLB team. Its not going to happen, but it seems like a nice city to have professional baseball.
Me, too. I'm curious to see where they'd fit another 10,000 seats.

Scba

June 28th, 2009, 06:47 AM

Me, too. I'm curious to see where they'd fit another 10,000 seats.

Yeah, I don't see how it's possible with the renderings they have now, unless it's included.

Bobby3

June 28th, 2009, 06:48 AM

It seems to large for Creighton but if they do play there it will be by far the nicest home field in the MVC which is saying something since WSU and MSU have nice stadiums for college teams.

They already have the best college soccer stadium, so why not?

Scba

June 28th, 2009, 10:29 PM

Aaaaaand back in the general thread. Lovely. Because it was causing such a problem as a standalone thread. Seating capacity for the CWS games WILL BE over thirty thousand.

hkskyline

June 29th, 2009, 02:42 PM

Fee for tours of new $1.15 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas
26 June 2009

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Fans concerned about affording to see a game or a show at the new $1.15 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington can still check out the place. For a fee.

Tours began Friday at the retractable-roof venue of the Dallas Cowboys, the same day as thousands of hopefuls for the Fox TV show "American Idol" showed up for auditions.

Stadium tours, at $15 for adults and $12 for children, will be conducted every half-hour and last up to 75 minutes.

The tour includes the high-tech scoreboard control room, the press box, the Cowboys locker room and limited field access.

hkskyline

June 29th, 2009, 06:39 PM

Wayne County judge sides with city, allows demolition of historic Tiger Stadium to resume
8 June 2009

DETROIT (AP) - Tiger Stadium's stay of execution turned out to be a brief one as a judge ruled Monday that demolition of the historic ballpark could begin again.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Prentis Edwards rejected a request by the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy to issue a preliminary injunction preventing further demolition of the stadium. He also lifted a temporary restraining order issued Friday afternoon that halted work begun just hours earlier.

Edwards agreed with attorneys for the city that the nonprofit group likely can't raise the funds for a proposed $33.4 million redevelopment project, noting there is little financing in hand after years of work.

"It appears here that the plaintiff has been given every opportunity to succeed with this project," Edwards said after about an hour of arguments, but the conservancy has "simply failed to come up with the requisite funding."

The prospects for success in the future, Edwards said, are "very, very dim."

Crews were expected to resume tearing down what remains of Tiger Stadium "immediately," Waymon Guillebeaux, executive vice president for project management and contract services at the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., said after the hearing.

Much of the ballpark, which opened in 1912 as Navin Field, was demolished last year after sitting vacant since the Detroit Tigers departed for Comerica Park in 1999. But a section extending from dugout to dugout was left standing while the conservancy sought to raise money to transform the stadium into a commercial building with a working ballfield.

Michael Myckowiak, attorney for the conservancy, argued in court Monday that the city's Economic Development Corp. has acted in "bad faith" in its dealings with the conservancy. He blasted the vote last week by the EDC board to level the stadium, saying the conservancy wasn't told a decision was imminent.

"It's our belief that what went on ... was a sham," he said.

Myckowiak asked for more time to raise money, saying the group has paid for security at the site through the end of June.

But Frederick Berg, attorney for the EDC, said the conservancy had been given plenty of time but simply didn't come up with the tax credits, loans and other financing necessary for the redevelopment project.

"They don't have them today, they won't have them tomorrow and it's not likely that they're going to have them any time soon," he said.

Stopping demolition now will cost the city $150,000, in addition to the $400,000 already being paid to the demolition contractor to carry out the work, Berg said.

"There are a multitude of economic reasons why the EDC believes the time has come and gone for the conservancy to make its case," he said.

That position was condemned was condemned by Gary Gillette, the conservancy's secretary.

"Every major development project in the city of Detroit is behind schedule or many have been canceled. ... I want to know why we're the ones singled out, that when we're behind schedule because of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, we have to be killed off with a bullet to the head in the middle of the night -- or in the morning at the EDC meeting -- while other people are continuing to work with the city," Gillette said outside the courtroom.

"This is unconscionable and unwarranted in the extreme," he added.

Conservancy leaders appealed to Mayor Dave Bing to intervene to save the ballpark. But Bing said in a statement that while he remained "sensitive to the concerns of those who wish to preserve Tiger Stadium," he would "honor" the judge's decision.

Conservancy president Thomas Linn said the group would not appeal Edwards' decision.

KingmanIII

June 29th, 2009, 09:08 PM

Aaaaaand back in the general thread. Lovely. Because it was causing such a problem as a standalone thread. Seating capacity for the CWS games WILL BE over thirty thousand.
Yeah, some of the rules here could use a bit of tweaking.

Ganis

June 30th, 2009, 05:41 AM

Aaaaaand back in the general thread. Lovely. Because it was causing such a problem as a standalone thread. Seating capacity for the CWS games WILL BE over thirty thousand.

I know. This is Bull Shit. we need threads for smaller stadiums.

hkskyline

June 30th, 2009, 08:03 AM

Happy birthday, Forbes Field - NL's first baseball palace opened 100 years ago
29 June 2009

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Roberto Clemente's first hit and Babe Ruth's parting shot occurred within the confines of the most spacious ballpark any major league baseball team called home.

So did Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series Game 7 homer, one so improbable, so magical that it seems certain to live in baseball's memory bank as long as the sport exists.

The first fireworks night and last tripleheader? Chuck Noll's first home game as the Steelers' coach? The first live broadcasts of major league baseball and college football? Forbes Field was home to all of that and much more during 61 eventful years that helped launch not one but, eventually, two ballpark-building construction binges.

Baseball's modern ballpark era was ushered in 100 years ago Tuesday when Forbes Field was christened in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. Today, its treasures live on in a modern-day gem named PNC Park that copies much of Forbes' coziness, charm and quirkiness.

Forbes Field was the National League's first modern concrete-and-steel park, a massive-for-its-era structure that towered above a picturesque city park and was so innovative that many of its touches can still be found in ballparks from coast to coast.

While the Philadelphia Athletics' Shibe Park (later, Connie Mack Stadium) predated Forbes by two months, nothing in baseball's relatively brief history to that time rivaled the two-tiered palace that Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss dedicated before a Cubs-Pirates game on June 30, 1909. Fittingly, the Cubs will honor the anniversary by playing in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

Built so the Pirates could abandon flood- and fire-prone Exposition Park, Forbes cost approximately $2 million for land and construction -- about $48 million today -- or more than three times Shibe's estimated cost. The opening day crowd of 30,338 was five times larger than for Game 5 of the Cubs-Tigers World Series the year before.

"This is the happiest day of my life," Dreyfuss said then, albeit he was initially criticized for building his baseball showplace a 10-minute trolley ride away from downtown.

Five days later, Dreyfuss invited fans attending an Independence Day doubleheader to stay for a post-game fireworks show. More than 40,000 did, and another tradition was born.

To preserve baseball's best grass playing field, Pirates manager Fred Clarke designed and patented the first infield tarp. The ballpark also was the first with elevators and padded outfield walls, later, and the batting helmet was invented there by Pirates executive Charlie Muse.

Dreyfuss disliked the long ball, and it showed in every one of Forbes' nooks and crannies.

The left-field line was 360 feet from home plate, center field was nearly a bus ride away at 457 feet. The grandstands towered 85 feet above the right field wall, a huge scoreboard had to be cleared in left.

The Pirates were so certain no player could hit a ball out to center, the batting cage was stowed inside the playing field during games. It remained there even after Dick Stuart carried it with a 1959 drive.

As cavernous as a national park, 35,000-seat Forbes Field didn't play host to a single no-hitter during the more than 4,700 major league games played there, including the last tripleheader in 1920, when the Reds took two of three. All that open space helped the Pirates' Chief Wilson hit a record 36 triples in 1912.

Forbes' first tape-measure drive was Ruth's 714th and last, a May 26, 1935, shot for the Boston Braves that was his third of the day and the first to clear Forbes' right-field roof.

"I didn't think anyone could hit a ball that hard," Pirates pitcher Guy Bush said.

He should have known better. Ruth and Lou Gehrig put on such a home run exhibition during a 1927 World Series workout that it clearly intimidated the home team, and the Yankees promptly swept the Pirates.

"That World Series was over before it started," Ruth said.

The 1960 Series was much different. Led by the Ruth and Gehrig of the day, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, the Yankees were big favorites who flashed their prodigious power during victories of 16-3, 10-0 and 12-0. The Pirates countered by winning all the close games, and Mazeroski finished it off on Oct. 13, 1960, with the only homer to end a World Series Game 7.

Forbes Field was more than baseball, although the Negro Leagues' Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords also occasionally staged games there. The Steelers played there from 1933 until the mid-1960s, returning for a Noll-coached 1969 exhibition against the Bengals. Pitt football and the pro soccer Phantoms also briefly called it home.

For all of Forbes' charms -- seats close to the action, no playing field signage, a right field screen that Clemente peppered for 15-plus seasons with line drives -- the so-called House of Thrills was showing its age when it closed on June 28, 1970. Fittingly, Mazeroski made the final putout during a doubleheader sweep of, yes, the Cubs.

The entrances were narrow and dimly lit, the bathrooms tiny, onsite parking was nonexistent and, remarkably, a ballpark located near the Pitt and Carnegie Mellon campuses did not sell beer.

Still, Clemente marveled as Forbes shut down, "I spent half my life there."

Not long after Forbes was razed to make way for the Pitt Law School, Pittsburghers who initially embraced Three Rivers Stadium's spacious concourses and comfortable seats began longing again for a baseball-only park with grass, fewer seats and better sight lines.

Once baseball's retro-era ballpark boon began with Baltimore's Camden Yards in 1992, nearly every one of the 21 ballparks built since has incorporated qualities first seen in Forbes Field and Shibe Park. PNC Park, opened in 2001, copied Forbes' rectangular light towers, picturesque skyline, left-field bleachers and expansive outfield. The section of left-field wall over which Mazeroski's homer traveled was erected behind PNC's right-field stands.

In Oakland, Forbes' center-field wall still stands, and home plate is preserved under glass. A historical marker denotes Mazeroski's homer.

Pittsburgh gave up once on Forbes Field. It's much more reluctant to let go of baseball's first crown jewel this time.

hkskyline

July 2nd, 2009, 04:59 PM

Gamecock men's and women's soccer to play on upgraded surface at South Carolina's Graveyard
30 June 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina is installing a state-of-art grass field and drainage system at Gamecock soccer's Stone Stadium.

The renovations are expected to be completed by August and cost about $462,000, according to athletic administrator Kevin O'Connell who oversees department construction.

Men's coach Mark Berson said the improvements will make the surface one of the best and most reliable in the country.

There have been instances in the past where the field was unplayable.

Women's coach Shelley Smith remembered playing Florida in a 2006 game as the rain kept falling. It went into overtime and puddles of standing water squished up with every free kick and contested ball.

"We just decided to call it," Smith said, the game ending at 1-1.

Berson said home NCAA contests against American in 1985 and Duke in 1995, both 2-0 losses, were marred by bad weather. "You don't want to lose the home field advantage," he said.

The revamped field will have a sand base and a complex, modern drainage system. The bumps and ruts of the past will be gone, replaced by a laser-graded, grass showpiece. The completed surface should easily hold up to the 20 or so games played by the two teams during the fall season, Berson said.

The project should be finished a few weeks before the men play an exhibition at home against High Point on Aug. 25. The women first play there against College of Charleston on Aug. 27.

The upgrade is the latest in South Carolina's plan to overhaul its aging athletic complex. The athletic department opened a $35.6 million baseball stadium in February. Directly across from the stadium, nicknamed The Graveyard because it's alongside the House of Peace cemetery, is the rising $13 million Dodie Anderson Academic Enrichment Center.

Athletic director Eric Hyman has plans for more than $150 million in additional improvements expected to reshape most sports offices, practice fields and competition venues.

In April, university trustees approved $49.9 million for athletic projects, including a 12-court tennis center, an administrative building and a parking garage.

Berson, who began the NCAA program in 1978, remembers during that inaugural soccer year when he and his players unloaded bleachers from a truck so fans could have a place to sit at varsity games.

"We as coaches are really thankful to the administration for what we've been able to do," Berson said.

South Carolina's soccer surface was serviceable, but had flaws that brought concerns, both Berson and Smith said.

The field's longtime sprinklers were the kind you might formerly find on a golf course, big and round and easy to slip on if you try and plant your foot, said Smith, the women's coach since 2001.

Despite the field deficiencies, both soccer programs have thrived.

Berson has had just two losing campaigns in 31 seasons in charge of the Gamecocks. He's made the NCAA tournament 18 times and produced such U.S. soccer stars as Josh Wolff, Clint Mathis and current national team member, goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Smith's made her mark here as well with only one losing season since 2001 and consecutive NCAA appearances in 2007 and 2008 for the first time in program history. In Sept. 2007, the Gamecocks opened the season with a 1-0 victory at powerhouse North Carolina.

Berson and Smith said the two soccer teams should see benefits from the enhanced facility, including the potential to hold conference tournaments and NCAA tournament games. Berson's club competes in Conference USA since the SEC does not offer host men's soccer championships.

"This is something that can be done right away that will directly impact student athletes' experience here and our ability to host events," Berson said. "So it has an important competitive aspect and is important for both programs."

VX-NerveAgent

July 3rd, 2009, 09:16 AM

! allot of HUGE gringo football stadiums!

Huskies

July 4th, 2009, 12:16 AM

i dont understand this ... does many threads make the site slower or something ? :S cause why else would you merge in a thread about a small stadium in a 200 page thread where it is imposible to find anything .... ? isnt it way better if you have several specific thread about what you want to read about ? i mean whats next merging the wembley , twickenham and emirates thread into a " London - stadium and arena development news " on 1000 pages ? ;)

el pato

July 4th, 2009, 05:25 AM

This is the University of Oregon's track and field venue. It opened in 1919 and has been quite busy lately. The track and field Olympic trials were held here last summer. The US Championships were in town last weekend. And from what I've heard, NCAA Nationals are on there way next year.

This was last years Olympic trials. Some larger temporary stands were set up in the corners to seat more people.
http://www.gillathletics.com/PVNews/images/hayward-field.jpg

Here are some pictures I took today. I love walking through old venues especially when empty. It feels like walking through the past.
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1238.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1237.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1230.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1235.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1234.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1232.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1208.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1217.jpg

el pato

July 4th, 2009, 05:31 AM

Here's some more:
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1231.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1222.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1229.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1227.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1226.jpg

Some not so luxurious press boxes.
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1225.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1223.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1219.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1218.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1220.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1216.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1212.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/kmcclain90000/CIMG1202.jpg

samuelsamario

July 4th, 2009, 08:42 AM

Vacano el estadio..

Ganis

July 4th, 2009, 07:07 PM

thats where Animal House was filmed

hkskyline

July 5th, 2009, 07:36 AM

Beavers owner withdraws Lents ballpark proposal
19 June 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The owner of the Portland Beavers is withdrawing his proposal to build a ballpark in the city's Lents neighborhood, where community opposition grew strong.

Merritt Paulson says the focus must be on paying for renovations to Portland's downtown PGE Park for a Major League Soccer franchise. The Portland Timbers soccer team, which Paulson will own, is expected to start play in 2011.

Because PGE Park would no longer be able to host the Beavers, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres must find a new home. Paulson also owns the Beavers.

In a letter to Portland Mayor Sam Adams and city commissioners Friday, Paulson said it is critical that a funding agreement for PGE Park be in place to meet a Sept. 1 deadline or there's a risk of losing the franchise in Portland.

"For this reason, and a lack of community support for a new Triple-A stadium in Lents, I am withdrawing our proposal for a Lents baseball stadium," Paulson wrote.

Plans to tear down the city's Memorial Coliseum and build a ballpark adjacent to the Rose Garden, home of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, were scrubbed earlier.

Then hundreds of opponents turned out at a meeting over the proposal to build the ballpark in Lents Park on Thursday night.

Friends of Lents Park spokesman Nick Christensen said in a statement the group would focus on preserving Lents Park and revitalizing Lents Town Center.

"We sincerely hope the Beavers and the city of Portland can come to an agreement that will keep the Beavers in Portland, with a responsible funding plan and a thorough site selection process," Christensen said.

Adams expressed concern Thursday that the Beavers would be forced to leave town if the Lents proposal did not go through.

Paulson has raised the possibility of moving the team to nearby Vancouver, Wash., or to Hillsboro, a suburb west of Portland.

The Pacific Coast League has seen a few franchise shifts in recent years. Edmonton moved to Round Rock, Texas, after the 2004 season. The Tucson Sidewinders moved to Reno before the start of this season.

"As for the future of the Portland Beavers, I am committed to do everything possible to keep the Beavers in Portland or the Portland area," Paulson wrote. "And I intend to work with area business, sports, government and community leaders to make that happen."

el pato

July 5th, 2009, 09:38 AM

Wow. I didn't realize my new thread would get moved out of the way if the venue didn't cost a certain amount of money, seat a certain amount of people, or was not built recently. SNOBS! I was just sharing some pics. Anyone interested in architecture would have some curiosity as to how a stadium could stand the test of time and last nearly 100 years. It will surely be used well past its 100th birthday.

One of my favorite things about this site is the opportunity to look at photos of structures. Now that I know interesting photos will simply get moved to the "Development News" section, I have lost respect for this site.

WARNING. Make sure any thread you start is of a building that: A.) Is in a significant city. B.) Seats a significant amount of people. C.) Cost a certain amount of money to build. and D.) Isn't old!

lpioe

July 5th, 2009, 12:48 PM

^^ Only requirement to have an own thread is to seat 30k people.

Thanks for the pics anyway, I haven't seen many of athletic stadiums in the US.

KingmanIII

July 5th, 2009, 08:14 PM

^^ Only requirement to have an own thread is to seat 30k people.

Thanks for the pics anyway, I haven't seen many of athletic stadiums in the US.
That needs to be done away with.

PureBlueSea

July 6th, 2009, 01:04 AM

Can anyone tell me which is the most famous soccer stadium in Usa?

Ganis

July 6th, 2009, 01:27 AM

Can anyone tell me which is the most famous soccer stadium in Usa?

umm... none.... well maybe.....ya none. the best stadium for soccer has turned out to be Safeco Field in Seattle and that is a football stadium.

Bobby3

July 6th, 2009, 03:52 AM

umm... none.... well maybe.....ya none. the best stadium for soccer has turned out to be Safeco Field in Seattle and that is a football stadium.

Safeco Field is a baseball stadium.

PureBlueSea, the Rose Bowl. It's an American football stadium, but soccer is played there. World Cup and Olympic finals for men and women have been there.

el pato

July 6th, 2009, 06:22 AM

^^ Only requirement to have an own thread is to seat 30k people.

Thanks for the pics anyway, I haven't seen many of athletic stadiums in the US.

Most arenas don't seat 30K.

It needs to be done away with. I know there are architects on this site and I know many large projects have been influenced by small stadiums. Oh well. It's not my site. The people that run it have the right to do what they think is good for the site.

en1044

July 6th, 2009, 07:56 AM

Most arenas don't seat 30K.

It needs to be done away with. I know there are architects on this site and I know many large projects have been influenced by small stadiums. Oh well. It's not my site. The people that run it have the right to do what they think is good for the site.

arenas and stadiums are different, in case you never noticed.

lpioe

July 6th, 2009, 08:56 AM

For Arenas it's 10k, Stadiums 30k.
If you don't like this, you should post here:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=741492

KingmanIII

July 6th, 2009, 11:37 AM

umm... none.... well maybe.....ya none. the best stadium for soccer has turned out to be Safeco Field in Seattle and that is a football stadium.
You're thinking of Qwest -- Safeco is the baseball stadium.

tritown

July 6th, 2009, 07:32 PM

PureBlueSea:
I'd say the most famous stadium built first for soccer is the Home Depot Center near Los Angeles.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2668512916_bfa194b908.jpg

Built 2003, seats 27,000, home of Los Angeles Galaxy and Club Deportivo Chivas USA.

Also, Qwest Field in Seattle is generating a lot of attention.
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/library/SoundersFans1.jpg

Built in 2002, total capacity for American football and large friendlies is 67,000, but capacity for the local club team is about 32,500. They just use decorative tarps over the upper bowl.

I would say that Home Depot Center for now is the most famous.

KingmanIII

July 7th, 2009, 06:42 AM

tritown

July 7th, 2009, 08:27 PM

They're opening the upper decks for the friendlies against Chelsea (7/16) and Barca (8/5) -- the Chelsea match has been sold out for weeks.

Yeah, I know. I'll be there in the upper decks:cheers:

What I meant was that they're covering the upper decks and Hawk's nest for league games. These exhibitions and maybe(?) the MLS Cup will have capacity at 67,000.

Considering how many season ticket holders there are now (22,000), and the alleged 10,000 person waiting list (deposit holders?) for 2010 season, the artificial capacity is subject to change, but it may remain the same. It probably depends on renewal rate from this year.

hkskyline

July 9th, 2009, 05:16 PM

All-you-can-eat seats: Gluttonous baseball fans stuff their faces for the price of admission
8 July 2009

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - First pitch was still half an hour away and the empty plastic cups, crinkled foil wrappers and peanut shells were already piling up under the blue seats in the Metrodome's upper deck.

While the Minnesota Twins prepared to play the Cleveland Indians on a recent evening, a few hundred fans were getting ready for a night-long contest of their own -- a race to empty out the concession stands before they closed.

"I've done four hot dogs, three nachos, a pretzel, some popcorn and about four of these pops," said Charlie Romain, proudly treating himself to an early 22nd birthday feast. "It's only been an hour, but I'm digesting a bit right now."

High above third base, Sections 232 and 233 have been turned into all-you-can-eat seats for 10 Tuesdays this season. So far, about one-third of the 600 available tickets have been sold for each of the special nights.

In this season of recession, the Twins are just one of several ballclubs trying such stuff-your-face promotions, the idea being to boost attendance, which is running more than 6 percent behind last year.

The clubs may not have counted on gluttonous fans like Jorge Retamal and Ron Benson, though. Their goal: make the home team lose money on the deal.

"I just like the idea that, because food is so expensive, I can come and, like, stick it to the system," Retamal said. "You know what I mean? I feel like I can even things out a little bit, just like baseball evens everything out."

For $34, up from the usual $22, customers can get a decent though distant view of the diamond and an unlimited amount of hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, soda and water during a 3 1/2-hour window that is sure to ruin any lingering New Year's resolutions.

Buddies Kyle Cash and Adam Petersen weren't too worried about the next-day cost to their stomachs.

"We're just here to pig out," Cash said with a smile.

Retamal and Benson, students at North Central University, walked from the campus a couple of blocks away. What amounts to free grub is clearly a big draw for the college-student demographic. Almost all the customers in the designated seats were young guys.

"As long as there's food involved, that's all that matters," said Benson, whose goal was to devour 20 hot dogs.

The Twins say they aren't too concerned about losing money on the really big eaters. Beer isn't included in the deal, for one thing. No waffle cone sundaes, either. And the all-you-can-grab grub ends at 9 p.m. no matter how many innings are left.

"Between the ticket and the food price, we're pretty well covered," team spokesman Chris Iles said. "It is a great deal for fans, though."

Two years ago, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles began offering all-you-can-eat seats in an often-empty section of the outfield bleachers, inviting fans to help themselves to as many as those famous Dodger dogs as they want. This season, the tickets cost $25 when purchased in advance, $30 on game day.

In San Diego, the Padres are doing it, too, for $28 or $32, depending on the seat. They even have a "veggie dog" for those health-conscious Southern Californians.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers also are among the teams offering stuff-your-face tickets.

The promotions are part of a larger effort by the major leagues to sell tickets in this downturn. This year, the Twins have tied the price of a $21 left-field seat for Monday games to the Dow Jones average from the previous Friday. The Dow closed last week at 8,280, dropping the price to $8.

"We're always looking for ways to be more creative," Iles said.

So are the fans.

Defending their gluttony, Retamal and Benson boasted that they had all the basic food groups covered.

"Ah," Retamal said, spying the jalapenos alongside an order of nachos, "I've got some veggies here!"

Scba

July 9th, 2009, 08:31 PM

It's tough for Qwest, because you don't want to only open up part of the upper deck.

ryebreadraz

July 9th, 2009, 10:11 PM

The Dodgers changed the right field bleachers to all you can eat last year. Hot dogs, nachos, soda, popcorn, pretzels, candy, peanuts, but if you want beer then you have to pay for it.

Ganis

July 13th, 2009, 07:46 AM

What about the A's new stadium?

The Game Is Up

July 15th, 2009, 01:48 AM

What about the A's new stadium?

http://newballpark.blogspot.com/2009/02/now-its-official.html

Ganis

July 15th, 2009, 06:44 AM

damn... that sucks. so they are still stuck in the worst stadium for baseball in the USA

Benn

July 15th, 2009, 08:47 AM

It was perfectly fine until they built mount Davis, the ugliest addition in sports for sure.

Ganis

July 15th, 2009, 05:13 PM

??? What ???

ryebreadraz

July 15th, 2009, 08:11 PM

??? What ???

When the Raiders moved back to Oakland, there were changes made to the stadium. Outside of the regular sprucing up and modernizing, they also added an upper deck along one side to increase capacity and add suites/club seats. It looks awful, is an awful seat and ruined the view and open feel at the stadium, which was its lone redeeming quality. That addition was nicknamed "Mount Davis" for dear ol' Al.

Before:
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/SAI/R408~Oakland-Coliseum-Posters.jpg

After:
http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/oakland/MtDavis.JPG

buy

July 16th, 2009, 06:17 AM

From the website of WCBS new york. <3 chopper shots!

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200907/4674058.jpg?1247663340

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200907/4674059.jpg?1247660119

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200907/4674056.jpg?1247664312

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200907/4674060.jpg?1247664317

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200907/4674052.jpg?1247664324

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200907/4674055.jpg?1247664330

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200907/4674057.jpg?1247664328

The Game Is Up

July 19th, 2009, 08:20 AM

Ground officially broken for the new Florida Marlins baseball stadium in Miami.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48126370.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48126378.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48126398.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48126403.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48126471.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48126473.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48131620.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48131624.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48131644.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48131646.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48131649.jpg

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2009-07/48131656.jpg

All from the Sun-Sentinel

http://postpix.palmbeachpost.com/mycapture/enlargePopup.asp?image=24716793&event=799163&CategoryID=48283&pSlideshow=1&picnum=11&move=B#Image
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-marlins-stadium-renderings,0,5007526.photogallery

Basincreek

July 19th, 2009, 08:58 AM

What the hell is that last thing? Some sort of tiered, oversized hot tub?

Actually, if they got some thong wearing honeys from South Beach in that it might not be such a bad idea.

The Game Is Up

July 19th, 2009, 12:29 PM

Well, they do have cheerleaders called the Marlins Mermaids. I'm not sure whether that's where they want to send them. ;)

Actually, from what I've read, this is going to be a tank for some type of animatronic marlin that would jump out and in after every home team HR. It would be interesting to see how that would work.

Scba

July 19th, 2009, 03:53 PM

The Game Is Up

July 19th, 2009, 10:48 PM

Yes they do. If you check the video links that I posted yesterday at the Marlins stadium thread you would see them entertaining the crowd that was at the groundbreaking ceremony.

LosAngelesSportsFan

July 20th, 2009, 05:14 AM

the Marlins new stadium looks so small. whats the capacity? 32,000?

ryebreadraz

July 20th, 2009, 05:25 AM

the Marlins new stadium looks so small. whats the capacity? 32,000?

~ 37,000

massp88

July 23rd, 2009, 07:08 PM

Pretty straight forward, what is the worst stadium in the NFL?

Severiano

July 23rd, 2009, 07:15 PM

ryebreadraz

July 23rd, 2009, 09:27 PM

Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. This is a baseball stadium, it looks ridiculous when I watch it on TV, I feel bad for the fans they look so far away from the field. Candlestick Park is a close second, pretty much the same problem as OAC, but it is no longer used for baseball. The Bay area has got to step it up in the stadium department.

All of California is awful with regards to stadiums. Los Angeles lost their teams because they didn't have a suitable stadium, while San Diego, Oaklan and San Francisco are among the worst stadiums in the league. The problem is that none of the cities, counties or state will contribute any money to a stadium and building in California costs a fortune.

en1044

July 23rd, 2009, 09:36 PM

Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. This is a baseball stadium, it looks ridiculous when I watch it on TV, I feel bad for the fans they look so far away from the field. Candlestick Park is a close second, pretty much the same problem as OAC, but it is no longer used for baseball. The Bay area has got to step it up in the stadium department.

I'll see your Bay Area stadium and raise you one Candlestick Park as the worst.

At least half of the Oakland Coliseum is suited for football. Candlestick straight sucks. Its ALL baseball.

salaverryo

July 23rd, 2009, 10:39 PM

I'll see your Bay Area stadium and raise you one Candlestick Park as the worst.

At least half of the Oakland Coliseum is suited for football. Candlestick straight sucks. Its ALL baseball.

Plus the swirling wind currents at Candlestick drive everybody crazy, players & spectators alike. Notice how the area around the stadium is totally desolate. Nobody wants to live there, not even the homeless...

ryebreadraz

July 23rd, 2009, 10:46 PM

Plus the swirling wind currents at Candlestick drive everybody crazy, players & spectators alike. Notice how the area around the stadium is totally desolate. Nobody wants to live there, not even the homeless...

The wind reeks havoc on kickers there, but can you imagine what it was like when baseball was played there?

KingmanIII

July 23rd, 2009, 11:45 PM

The wind reeks havoc on kickers there, but can you imagine what it was like when baseball was played there?
During the 1961 All-Star Game, Stu Miller was blown off the mound...and issued a balk.
http://www.skylinepictures.com/San_Francisco_Giants_Stu_Miller_8s59_large.jpg

KingmanIII

July 23rd, 2009, 11:47 PM

All of California is awful with regards to stadiums.
Stadiums, easily.

Ballparks, beautiful.

ryebreadraz

July 23rd, 2009, 11:55 PM

Stadiums, easily.

Ballparks, beautiful.

Agreed minus the A's. The cost between building a ballpark as opposed to a stadium is the difference there and remember that the two newest ballparks in CA were a long time coming. Lots of fighting and almost moving before Petco and AT&T got done.

hkskyline

August 21st, 2009, 06:02 AM

New Cowboys stadium offers more than just football, fans can check out contemporary art
20 August 2009

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Football fans waiting in concession lines this fall at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium will be able to walk away with more than just a beer and a hot dog: They can also get a museum-quality art experience.

Fourteen contemporary works commissioned for the stadium will be displayed everywhere from entries to staircases to the sprawling walls above food stands. Most of the works will be in place by the first regular-season game on Sept. 20.

As plans for the nearly $1.2 billion stadium shaped up, contemporary art seemed a natural fit for the sleek, high-tech building, said Gene Jones, the wife of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

"We wanted it to be more than a football stadium," she said. "We thought we had a building that would be something for the community."

Looming over a main staircase in the stadium, Gary Simmons' "Blue Field Explosions" depicts two forceful white blasts against a blue background. On the main staircase at the opposite end of the stadium, splashes of color greet visitors in Franz Ackermann's "Coming Home (Meet Me) At the Waterfall."

"I bring five floors together as one unit," Ackermann said.

Olafur Eliasson's "Moving stars takes time" has been installed from the ceiling inside an entryway, its stainless steel parts floating overhead.

Michael Auping is chief curator at the Modern Art Museum Fort Worth and a member of the art council formed to offer advice on the project. He said part of the project's significance comes from the way the art and architecture come together.

"There isn't anything like this anywhere," Auping said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello noted that other stadiums have statues or displays pertaining to their teams, but not art like this.

"I think this as far as we know is very unique," Aiello said.

Arts council members said the sheer number of people expected to come through the stadium made an impression on the artists. Charlotte Anderson, the Jones' daughter and a Cowboys vice president, said almost three million people will visit during its first year, attending everything from sporting events and concerts to tours of the stadium.

Some of the artists have taken their cue from the battles that will be waged on the field.

Motivated by the psychology of the sport, Mel Bochner said he proposed working with the word "win." Work will begin next week on his piece, which will be a series of capitalized words, beginning with "WIN! VANQUISH! CONQUER! CLOBBER!"

"That's what football is about," he said. "It seemed to me that that captured the ethos of a crowd entering the stadium."

"I think the Dallas Cowboys are to be congratulated for embarking on this program, which will put a lot of new eyeballs on a lot of new art," Bochner said.

As artist Terry Haggerty worked on a painting that will resemble a giant red and white striped wave above a concession stand, he said that after seeing the "monstrousness of the space" he wanted his piece to distort it a bit.

"It's going to be a bit of a fisheye lens," he said.

Charles Wylie, a curator of contemporary art at the Dallas Museum of Art and member of the arts council, said that the project is exciting because it gives people the chance to experience art outside of a museum.

"I think it really opens up the definition of art for people," Wylie said.

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On the Net:

Cowboys Stadium, http://stadium.dallascowboys.com