team in center city?

[mdelrossi1]

I was just wondering what everyone would think of a team in the center city area...I know that this may be a bit far fetched and that there isnt much space there but a small yet expandable open air stadium in the area that the Phillies initially wanted to put up their new ball park would be amazing. I read an article in the Philadelphia Daily News by Dana Pennett O'Neill in the "What if?" series about 'what if' the phillies built their park downtown and it got me thinking...Why not a soccer stadium? an open air stadium would have some nice views of center city and the bars and restaurants in the area would thrive. Public transportation is everywhere so that wouldnt be an issue and the crowds would be smaller than that of the phillies so some of the problems the local community [Chinatown] had with the ball park may be toned down a bit. I know people would probably say the sports complex in south philly would be the best bet, but I think a stadium downtown would do more for the city in general. I think its a better idea than Temple where I feel like I need a bulletproff vest just to survive and unlike villanova its within the city limits. as far as money is concerned...im sure ed snider and jeff lurie got some cash on hand, and what's pat croce doing these days? between those three there is probably enough money to fund a franchise in the city.

anyway...tell me what you think...am I crazy or does this seem like a good idea?

hopefully I'll get some responses from folks here in the philadelphia area

[Looper121]

I was just wondering what everyone would think of a team in the center city area...I know that this may be a bit far fetched and that there isnt much space there but a small yet expandable open air stadium in the area that the Phillies initially wanted to put up their new ball park would be amazing. I read an article in the Philadelphia Daily News by Dana Pennett O'Neill in the "What if?" series about 'what if' the phillies built their park downtown and it got me thinking...Why not a soccer stadium? an open air stadium would have some nice views of center city and the bars and restaurants in the area would thrive. Public transportation is everywhere so that wouldnt be an issue and the crowds would be smaller than that of the phillies so some of the problems the local community [Chinatown] had with the ball park may be toned down a bit. I know people would probably say the sports complex in south philly would be the best bet, but I think a stadium downtown would do more for the city in general. I think its a better idea than Temple where I feel like I need a bulletproff vest just to survive and unlike villanova its within the city limits. as far as money is concerned...im sure ed snider and jeff lurie got some cash on hand, and what's pat croce doing these days? between those three there is probably enough money to fund a franchise in the city.

anyway...tell me what you think...am I crazy or does this seem like a good idea?

hopefully I'll get some responses from folks here in the philadelphia area


Anyone who would like to see a team would love it. There are two very long threads that have beaten this topic to death.

[dcajedi]

Anyone who would like to see a team would love it. There are two very long threads that have beaten this topic to death.

I'll only flail the horse this much: there are condos in Center City selling for $1 million at least. Neither you nor I nor most of BigSoccer combined have the money for a Center City soccer stadium, unfortunately.

[Looper121]

I'll only flail the horse this much: there are condos in Center City selling for $1 million at least. Neither you nor I nor most of BigSoccer combined have the money for a Center City soccer stadium, unfortunately.

Yep, a property big enough to have a stadium would be millions of dollars just for the plot of land...ain't gonna happen...

[mdelrossi1]

Yep, a property big enough to have a stadium would be millions of dollars just for the plot of land...ain't gonna happen...
the phillies alone were ready to invest that kind of money...I find it hard to believe that you couldnt find anyone that would want to make that kind of investment...the potential returns of an investment like this with the rising real estate in the city alone would probably be enough to buy a plot of land that big...anyway, I dont think its impossible...improbable maybe, but not impossible.

PS - im sorry if this is a topic thats been beaten to death but its been something that Ive been wondering about for a while now and I just wanted to hear some opinions...I wont reply anymore if people dont want me to.

[D-Wall]

the phillies alone were ready to invest that kind of money...I find it hard to believe that you couldnt find anyone that would want to make that kind of investment...the potential returns of an investment like this with the rising real estate in the city alone would probably be enough to buy a plot of land that big...anyway, I dont think its impossible...improbable maybe, but not impossible.

PS - im sorry if this is a topic thats been beaten to death but its been something that Ive been wondering about for a while now and I just wanted to hear some opinions...I wont reply anymore if people dont want me to.

Don't worry about posting it and welcome to the Philly boards!

I for one would love for a savvy young investor to come in with loads of money and put a stadium in Center City. How cool would it be to walk to the games and then head out to the local bars afterwards to celebrate our team beating the snot out of the Metros or the Revs?

But in all reality, it probably wouldn't happen and we have to hope that something gets worked out in Lower Bucks county.

[Looper121]

the phillies alone were ready to invest that kind of money...

I stopped reading right there... There is a hell of a lot more money to be thrown around among MLB teams vs. MLS teams. Right now, no one that is going to drop masive amounts of money into an urban soccer house. Cool, yes. Feasable, No.

But we can all hope. ;)

[mdelrossi1]

I stopped reading right there... There is a hell of a lot more money to be thrown around among MLB teams vs. MLS teams. Right now, no one that is going to drop masive amounts of money into an urban soccer house. Cool, yes. Feasable, No.

But we can all hope. ;)

true about mlb vs mls but I still think itd be possible to get a group of investors, there's enough business men in this town with lots and lots of cash and a love for sports. I guess hope is all we have ... maybe one day when the MLS is a more profitable league ... I think this is the only way a team would work though (in philly), Im not sure if lower bucks county would be a great idea.

[cro4life]

man i like philly sports....as a immi i love soccer, n just started watchin mls, but i want so see a team w/ the name philly, where ever it maybe.. mls i nothin w/o philly n its fans

[Ender]

There is plenty of land in Philly to build it, but you would have to be in North Philly. I think the old Coke factory may be available but:
1. It is in North Philly, which makes an Anacostia stadium look like an episode of Blues Clues.
2. I think the land is brownfeild and would need cleaning frst (similar to the situation in NJ, but with double the conatmination). Unfortuanatly the Coke factory wasn't a soda plant, but a chemical one.

[billf]

true about mlb vs mls but I still think itd be possible to get a group of investors, there's enough business men in this town with lots and lots of cash and a love for sports. I guess hope is all we have ... maybe one day when the MLS is a more profitable league ... I think this is the only way a team would work though (in philly), Im not sure if lower bucks county would be a great idea.

Welcome!

It just isn't a possibility. The community associations would never go for a stadium in their neighborhood. That's why the Phillies are still in south philly. We will never see a stadium of any kind in center city.

[skyscraper]

Welcome!

It just isn't a possibility. The community associations would never go for a stadium in their neighborhood. That's why the Phillies are still in south philly. We will never see a stadium of any kind in center city.
Let's not forget, the city now has the power to seize private property and give it to a private entity to develop, thanks to our Supreme Court. Private property rights be damned. So if it became a priority to the city, they could play this card if they wanted.
As a capitalist and lasseiz (sp!) fair government guy of the highest order, I do not advocate they do this, I'm just saying that legally they could do it.

[SoccerPrime]

Even cities/gov'ts in rural areas are afraid to use this new power.
No way a "liberal" friendly city like Philly will ever use the Eminent Domain seizure of private property for private gain. No way.

Its probably Burbs or bust for MLS Philly.

MLS Philly needs a website.
;) hmmm....

[Looper121]

Even cities/gov'ts in rural areas are afraid to use this new power.
No way a "liberal" friendly city like Philly will ever use the Eminent Domain seizure of private property for private gain. No way.

Its probably Burbs or bust for MLS Philly.

MLS Philly needs a website.
;) hmmm....

Website is a great idea. I would be into that.

[DaMunk]

Even cities/gov'ts in rural areas are afraid to use this new power.
No way a "liberal" friendly city like Philly will ever use the Eminent Domain seizure of private property for private gain. No way.



Yeah, not Philly...ever http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Google "Philadelphia" and "Neighborhood Transformation Initiative". Politicians do a great job of creating new, apealling names for tough-sell ideas.