Referring to the link in Wikipedia below, it would be assumed (correctly or otherwise) this family is a part of the MAC organization. Merritt Paulson's father is Henry Merritt "Hank" Paulson Jr., an American banker who served as the 74th United States Secretary of the Treasury, and was formerly Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. His mother is Wendy (nee' Judge) Paulson. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merritt_Paulson) Therefore, the question of expansion would be an out-of-the-box design where the side streets may be included in the upgrade to the neighborhood design with covered walkways and places for street vendors, but more importantly provide spiral swept walkways down from rooftops to roadlevel or below ground to field access. This could be done on both the SW 20th Avenue side and SW Morrison Street access, putting a circular walking ramp with above grade concourses sweeping the sidewalks on the outside of the existing structure will decrease fire risk and increase dis-embarking space for those patrons on upper levels direct to street access outside the stadium. The two likely positions for these two sweeping spiral walkways would be in the SW 19th and Morrison Street and the acquisition of the section of the road on SW 20th to be made into a Park-walkway some what like this happened at the Arthur Ash and the Wimbledon Tennis Stadiums with inclusion of neighboring streets being made walk-ways. The SW 20th would be an ideal street to be included in a walking area to the Jeld-wen Field concourse, and will make for more of a Park feel. The new sweeping spiral walkway in the northwest corner (gate 5) area will make for easier access to this side of the concourse and open up the ability to have a raised concourse again above the street area for patrons and vendors, both inside the stadium and outside in the park-like area on the west concourse. This will take a change in the Portland City ordinance and inclusion of new access to existing businesses in this area, however the green space and technology that will be coming down the pipeline (confidential at the time of this publication) will provide the Peregrine Sports, LLC and Portland Timbers with significant operational cost savings that will more than likely increase cash-flow and enable this type of expansion. As for the seating on the MAC club side or south facing this area may be addressed in a new way by the inclusion of a set of corporate suites somewhat like those in the Audi Suite complex, allowing for a rack of suites to be build above the first tier where the field access will become covered and the score board will move forward of its existing position and so will the MAC club suites will extend over a new covered drive-in access from SW 18th (gate 35) will still provide drivable access , perhaps with a parking area below for two vehicles because of the raised deck area. I do not have access to drawing this concept, but am willing to share this visualization with an architect for Portland Timbers and Merritt Paulson. My idea brings a different level of green and a significant cost saving to the overall operating costs of power to the stadium and the lighting, which I would think is a significant expense to a stadium. The lower cost saving will permit the increased cost of renovations, increase of salaries and bottom-line profits to the whole organization, with it is expected sufficient to entice new and stronger players to the Portland Timbers and Thorns teams alike.
HERE IS A GREEN TECHNOLOGY CHANGE OPPORTUNITY: Therefore, the question of expansion would be an out-of-the-box design where the side streets (SW 20th and SW Morrison between 20th and 18th) may be included in the upgrade to the neighborhood design with covered walkways and places for street vendors, but more importantly provide spiral swept walkways down from rooftops to road-level or below ground to field access. This could be done on both the SW 20th Avenue side and SW Morrison Street access, putting a circular walking ramp with above grade concourses sweeping the sidewalks on the outside of the existing structure will decrease fire risk and increase dis-embarking space for those patrons on upper levels direct to street access outside the stadium. The two likely positions for these two sweeping spiral walkways would be in the SW 19th and Morrison Street and the acquisition of the section of the road on SW 20th to be made into a Park-walkway some what like this happened at the Arthur Ash and the Wimbledon Tennis Stadiums with inclusion of neighboring streets being made brick-paver walk-ways with seating and parklike themes, a single lane drive access may continue flow in either a west or easterly flow (based on city flow safety requirements). This improvement will enable the entire road surface to be raised to the same as surrounding sidewalks with new water-flow drainage below to remove excess storm flow. The SW 20th would be an ideal street to be included in a walking area to the Jeld-Wen Field concourse, and will make for more of a Park feel to the entire neighborhood, and increase pedestrian traffic for neighboring vendors. The new sweeping spiral walkway in the northwest corner (gate 5) area will make for easier access to this side of the concourse and open up the ability to have a raised concourse again above the street area, on outside of the existing building, for patrons and vendors, both inside the stadium and outside in the park-like area on the west concourse. This will take a change in the Portland City ordinance and inclusion of new access to existing businesses in this area, however the green space and technology that will be coming down the pipeline (confidential at the time of this publication) will provide the Peregrine Sports, LLC and Portland Timbers with significant operational cost savings that will more than likely increase cash-flow and enable this type of expansion. As for the seating on the MAC club side or south facing this area may be addressed in a new way by the inclusion of a new set of corporate suites somewhat like those in the Audi Suite complex. An allowance for a rack of suites to be build above the first tier where the field access will become covered and the score board can move forward of its existing position and so to may the MAC club suites. In addition additional convention suites and offices may be built in this area, (since existing wall is blank except for those suites and sports gym window) [exhaust fans with channeled vents for exhaust fumes from pool and generators] can then be extended into and over a new covered drive-in access from SW 18th (gate 35) this will still provide drivable access, perhaps with a parking area below for two(+) vehicles because of the raised deck area. I believe the MAC parents will adapt this concept for an improvement to the neighborhood and give a Wimbledon appeal to our city and the park. I do not have access to drawing this concept, but am willing to share this visualization with an architect for Portland Timbers and Merritt Paulson. My idea brings a different level of green and a significant cost saving to the overall operating costs of power to the stadium and the lighting with a cutting edge power system (confidential at time of publishing this article), which I would think is a significant expense to a stadium. The lower cost saving will permit the increased cost of renovations, increase of salaries and bottom-line profits to the whole organization, with it is expected sufficient to entice new and stronger players to the Portland Timbers and Thorns teams alike.
I don't know if this question has been asked before . I have read in multiple threads one reason you have a hard time to put grass in is you have a stream below the field- assumption you have to go down a bit to plant grass. The stadium had grass before, so how was this handled ? Second thought, why not build the grass bed "up". Put down some massive drainage system on the level you are now, then the dirt and sod. That can't be more than several inches to up to a foot. Doesn't ManU. have some kind of elevated bed its field is on? Another clarification question, did the field get laid out a little large this year? What were the dimension before and what are they now ? Did the new coach ask for this ? You would think with the speed of the game on plastic, you may want the field as wide as you can get to keep balls from rolling out. Unless, you game plan is to keep the field narrow for defensive reasons. Another question- the the athletic club required to have a view of the field ? Can you fill in the southend zone up to a point where the club can still see into the field? I went to the USA -CR WCQ back in 2001(?) and the endzone had a very large temp/bleacher set up. The Timbers current end zone set up doesn't look as tall. Is this end zone set up for concerts etc? - I just got a ticket for your PDX- SLC game on 10/19. Looking forward to see how the stadium has changed since I was their last. - Another question- I am thinking of staying in the Beaverton area and taking the train to the game. How much extra service do the point on? How long are the lines? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'll take a stab at answering all your questions quickly. Grass: Drainage installation, direct light doesn't reach the entire field, multi-use, 40 years of no natural grass. Uh, yeah! All of the above and more. Current dimensions are 110x74 and was 110x70 before. Second smallest width in MLS by a yard, but the majority are 75. It was decided to extend the field before hiring Porter, and done so for reasons other than tactical. Elongating the field is physically impossible and some places in the stadium can't see the corners so widening is questionable. They figured they were going to use that place for a concert stage, but I don't know of one single concert held in the stadium yet. It's possible to add seating, but the scoreboard is basically the highest allowed by the MAC and still visible for everyone in the stadium. Seating more in that end is doable but will not be like the USA/Costa Rica 1997 WCQ (which I attended!). You picked an awesome game to watch. Last match, guaranteed tifo display, playoff and possibly SS implications, etc. If you get on the light rail before the match there should be no issues, although I'd suggest you get there over an hour early so you can mill about the stadium to see the stadium updates done in 2000 and 2010. There are some neat photos and history of the stadium and neighborhood in there. I don't know if they increase service for game nights. Be aware the first station (King's Hill) that stops next to Jeld-Wen will be open before the match, but will be closed after the match. This means heading out will be crammed for a good while at the Jeld-Wen station.
That game is a Saturday night, so you won't have any issues. The last train all the way out to the end of the line (well past Beaverton) leaves the Jeld-Wen station at about 1A. There is at least one more after that one which goes at least as far as Beaverton Transit Center. The transit website has all of the scheduled trains for weekends up. Otherwise, they tend to pile up a few trains to send through right after the game gets out. After 3 or 4 trains go through, the crowd usually has thinned enough that the normal schedule is enough to capture them all. I suggest waiting for the log-slice raising ceremony in the North End after the game, then wandering your way to the train station, and get in the back of the back car (furthest point on the platform from the stadium). It has usually thinned out enough by that point that there is at least some breathing room on the train. Alternatively, just stay downtown and have a couple drinks and catch a later train. You shouldn't have any worries about getting back out to Beaverton after that game. Weeknight games can be a little hairy for those of us way out in the 'burbs (I've unwittingly missed the last train that serviced my stop and had to walk a couple miles late at night to get home), but weekends are a breeze.
-------------------- Thanks for the info. I am getting my dates mixed up because I have seen USA- CR 3 other times besides the Portland game . Saw them in LA in 85 where all we need was a tie to make it to Mexico in 86 and we lost 1-0. Full house at El Camino colleage of 18,000, 95% rooting for CR. (WE have come a long way baby in terms of crowd support ) I saw them in SLC, for now which I am not sure which WC that was for. The 97 game was for 98 in France(?) I also saw USA-CR in Denver for the "Snowclassico" this year. I am now confused as I also saw USA-Jaimica in Foxborough right after 9/11 in 2001 which we clinched a trip to South Korea in 2002. Maybe I went to 2 WCQ in the same year ? Anyway, I am 3-1 against CR - After I leave Portland on Sunday after the game, I am heading to KC to check out Sporting Park for the CCL game against Olympia, for which now KC has to win or tie, so the game has meaning. A quick trip to compare an old classic stadium and brand new state of the art. Will be my 19 MLS/Team stadium (both old and new).
Portland’s Merritt Paulson talks about real grass, adding terraces to Jeld-Wen Field http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/...real-grass-adding-terraces-to-jeld-wen-field/
In an effort to keep this thread as the "definitive" resource for potential future remodels at Providence Park, here's the latest speculative stuff from stumptownfooty: http://www.stumptownfooty.com/2016/...-they-will-come-the-future-of-providence-park
This isn't exactly on topic, but I'd appreciate it if someone could answer a question. If I remember correctly, when your stadium was expanded there was some concern that restroom and concession capacity would not be adequate. Did that turn out to be the case? Same concern is being raised with DC's new stadium (due to begin construction in October).
What expansion are you talking about? There hasn't particularly been any big expansion except after the first season.
The stadium Originally was about 27K but is used at a maximum capacity of around 21+K for the reasons you stated, even with the additional seating on the East side. It mostly works at that capacity. Most of the unused seating is restricted view and way back in the upper corners. The existing restrooms and concessions ( upgraded) actually serve a smaller audience than they used to, and the new facilities Serve the Premium seating areas that were built. The old concession concourse is pretty small and wasn't expanded very much because it's right on the street, so the new concessions are mostly on the new East side. They could actually seat more people but have settled on this size so the facilities aren't overtaxed. http://www.timbers.com/stadium-renovation A picture in this article shows the new seating on the East side and the Tarped over seats behind the Timbers Army on the North. Zoom in and you will see the upper 25% or so is Tarped over. http://www.athleticbusiness.com/sta...f-merit-winner-jeld-wen-field-renovation.html Edit: here is a zoomed pic: There is talk about a bit of new seating on the South side which is currently small because it converts to a stage. I think negotiations are ongoing with the multnomah club. If that goes through, it would also have its own facilities.
Here's an interview with Merrit Paulson after the first MLS season where concessions and capacity were discussed. The capacity then was set at about 18.6 K and has increased a couple thousand since. https://www.facebook.com/notes/port...-president-merritt-paulson/10150889873970554/
Thanks all. FYI, there's a thread over in news and analysis, "four cities, four teams and three new stadia" that will be comparing and contrasting the new LA, Minnesota and DC stadiums as they are constructed over the next 2 years.
In addition to the other comments, I'll say that the concerns of overcrowding, not enough bathrooms and concession areas turned out to not be an issue (at least at the current capacity). The dudes' line, while long at halftime, only takes a few minutes to get through, and I always had plenty of time to get a beer if I wanted. The concourse, particularly by the north end, can get pretty crowded, but that's in part because the most prominent entrance is there. If they opened gates on the east and west sides it would likely alleviate much of that.
Yeah its completely fine. Just like any other sporting venue I go to but usually I feel like I don't have to wait too long for a beer Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk
West-side concourse egress after a game can take a while since the 2000 construction removed the street-level access with the concourse. Flattened it out to make it even in its entirety. So now no exits exist between ~113 and 123. It can be hard to move during halftime since the concession lines block a lot of the sideways movement. Not a crush of people but still a mass of them. That's been my experience.
I took my family to the Vancouver game last year. The concourses were a bit crowded, but it all move along pretty well, lines were a bit long, but we weren't in them long. Slightly off-topic, we took the Tri-Met, and it was one of the most pleasant, easy top-level professional sports experience of my life.
That's actually one of the best things about Providence Park. No Parking, and for a couple bucks it's pretty easy to get to and from the stadium with just a little planning. ( truth be known, I often use a semi-private lot two blocks from the stadium attached to a great Italian restaurant and meet friends. It makes for a great evening.)
In the interest of keeping this thread up to date with the latest developments: http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/...ously-optimistic-about-stadium-expansion-plan
From the sound of things, they would pay for it themselves but would require city approval to enclose the street-side view. Perhaps there could be a gap? Also, how much could an upper tier there be contained in the current dimensions? Or would they just rebuild the entire stand with a steeper rise?
I'm pretty sure there's a link somewhere in this thread, but someone (I'm thinking it was Merritt Paulson himself) said that when the renovations were done pre-MLS (that is, adding stands to the east and south) they engineered the east side so they could lift the roof and stack a second tier on. In the original agreement with the city I believe that the wording was that there had to be a sightline onto the field from 18th Ave. I'd guess that if they planned the ability to add a second tier on that side and knew the agreement then they allowed for that sightline to continue to exist. Given how fair Merritt plays things I can't imagine they would have designed it differently (removing the sightline), but that's just my guess.
http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2017/03/merritt_paulson_portland_timbe_2.html Merritt Paulson "I think it's important for our stadium to be viable for the foreseeable future. We talk about the benefits of being downtown and I think when you look ahead, to really ensure the long-term viability, we do need a bigger stadium and we got to get up around 25,000 seats when you look at the trends in the league. We're one of the smaller stadiums if you look at the newer stadiums that are being built."
New developments! Not much yet, but something formal! http://www.stumptownfooty.com/2017/3/13/14917934/stadium-expansion From the link: "The applicant proposes an expansion to the stadium’s east side, with a design that engages the sidewalk on Southwest 18th Avenue – including a covered arcade, four new levels and a new roof." Emphasis mine. Not sure what "four new levels" means, but I'm intrigued.