The Fresno USL Expansion Thread

Discussion in 'USL Expansion' started by Knave, May 4, 2017.

  1. flyfresno

    flyfresno Member

    Fresno Fuego
    Apr 2, 2017
    Fresno, Minneapolis
    Ironically, there are some challenges to securing land downtown despite all of the seemingly "unused" or "aging" parcels of land:

    1) HSR: whether or not it actually happens, High Speed Rail is full-steam ahead in Downtown Fresno, and quite a bit of the open land near the current railroad tracks (the ones west of the 'Chuck') is earmarked for that use. Not all of it will be used, and some of it might simply end up being used for things that could be located elsewhere (such as parking), but, at least for now, a lot of the land nearby the tracks is not available.

    2) Many of the owners of the land south of the Stadium (the parts you guys are looking at) are holding onto their land, either because they want to keep their business where it is, or because they see the revitalization happening in that area and want to wait until land prices are even higher to sell. This is being fueled by the addition of multiple new loft/apartment projects along Inyo as well as 3 new breweries in the surrounding blocks.

    3) Along those lines, the Fulton Mall/Street project has caused many developers to put their plans on hold, but as soon as the street opens (October/November), many of these projects will break ground, and you'll see some of that "industrial" land be taken up by those developments.

    All that said, I agree with you guys that the first priority should be the South Stadium area (the industrial area bordered by Inyo/H/41/L streets). This location would be good because it would be able to share parking facilities with Chukchansi Park and would be within one of the two major "hot spots" for development in Downtown Fresno right now.

    The second priority should be across the tracks in or near Chinatown. This area is still relatively inexpensive and underdeveloped due to the "barrier" that the railroad tracks create. There is a lot of open land there, but also a lot of historical buildings that cannot (and should not) be demolished, so that might make the task of finding a suitable parcel there a lot trickier.

    It's nice to see that most everyone wants to keep soccer downtown. A USL "stadium" (the word stadium used lightly, as the initial design in Fresno is more likely to be a regulation field with 4,000-5,000 bleacher seats, a couple snack stands, and perhaps a press box and a couple makeshift "suites") would not take up a lot of land, surely significantly less than Chukchansi Park does, so it should be a lot easier to "fit" within the confines of downtown. Should Fresno start drawing regular crowds equal to even half of what Sac or Cincy do, they can start taking about buying more land around the stadium for expansion. Until then, smaller is probably better and easier to fit within the downtown vision.
     
    sj_oldtimer, Dune and Knave repped this.
  2. flyfresno

    flyfresno Member

    Fresno Fuego
    Apr 2, 2017
    Fresno, Minneapolis
    #27 flyfresno, Jul 10, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2017
    See above, but I just wanted to say I like your split logo idea and fully intend to steal it (with different teams, of course)! Also, who are you going to choose if Sac moves into the MLS?
     
  3. 30King

    30King Member+

    Jul 22, 2013
    Rocklin, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    If you'd asked me a few seasons ago, I'd have said 50/50.

    I've been to almost every home Republic game in 3 1/2 seasons, and have gotten to know a number of people involved with the current team (and MLS team). It feels like family; and I'm a Sactown homer. Sac is my #1, Quakes will be my #2. Ill only root against them when they play Sac.

    Wondo is my favorite player- and just a cool, down to earth dude. So I'll always root for him
     
  4. flyfresno

    flyfresno Member

    Fresno Fuego
    Apr 2, 2017
    Fresno, Minneapolis
    This is Pittsburgh's USL stadium. 3500 seats, heavy on the supporter's section. A clone of this would be perfect... IMG_5537.JPG IMG_5536.JPG
     
  5. mikehurst21

    mikehurst21 Member

    Oklahoma City Energy FC
    United States
    Nov 6, 2013
    Moore Oklahoma
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  6. Knave

    Knave Member+

    May 25, 1999
    The trademark includes a provision for hats with wigs attached!

    Excellent.
     
  7. 30King

    30King Member+

    Jul 22, 2013
    Rocklin, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    A damn shame the Fuego didn't want to be involved
     
    Cirris and Sandon Mibut repped this.
  8. flyfresno

    flyfresno Member

    Fresno Fuego
    Apr 2, 2017
    Fresno, Minneapolis
  9. flyfresno

    flyfresno Member

    Fresno Fuego
    Apr 2, 2017
    Fresno, Minneapolis
    It's possible the Fuego will remain and Fresno will have two teams. I could see this working along with the Freeze, who have a pretty good draw themselves. They already did a lot of Freeze/Fuego doubleheaders this season, I could see them continuing that at a smaller venue, or Fuego/FFC doubleheaders or even Freeze/Fuego/FFC trippleheaders at the future stadium. I know that the USL team has to be the primary tenant of a soccer stadium under the new rules, but nothing says (as far as I know) that there can't be another tenant, particularly one attached to that team and in a lower division. I would imagine a new stadium would be quite busy with Freeze + Fuego + FFC + Mexican Friendlies all using it. We will find out a lot more info this Wednesday!
     
  10. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  11. CakeYear

    CakeYear Member

    none
    Jun 22, 2007
    Inglewood, Ca.
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Fresno Football Club!
     
  12. VBCity72

    VBCity72 Member+

    Aug 17, 2014
    Sunny San Diego
    Club:
    Plymouth Argyle FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    [​IMG]

    I like the logo
     
  13. Knave

    Knave Member+

    May 25, 1999
    That is not half bad.

    But ditch the soccer ball.
     
  14. Ldino21

    Ldino21 New Member

    May 13, 2016
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #39 Ldino21, Aug 12, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
    Why don't they just refresh Ratcliffe Stadium, it would be cheaper to bring it up to par, they could bring in seating like Sac has until it grows some, it could be the hip place to go!! They could also bring in Food Trucks to do the concessions and would support something growing in the community.
     
  15. Ldino21

    Ldino21 New Member

    May 13, 2016
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think the ball should be like the Sun! in flames, and if they can't get the Fuego name they should just call them the Fresno Fire
     
  16. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Not sure if its true or not but I heard a rumor that Fresno may become the Vancouver Whitecaps new B or farm team...
     
  17. flyfresno

    flyfresno Member

    Fresno Fuego
    Apr 2, 2017
    Fresno, Minneapolis
    I was hoping for MNUFC, but that wouldn't be awful. Just not LA or Seattle please...
     
  18. jass

    jass Member

    Oct 12, 2006
    Club:
    Parana Curitiba
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico
    My preferred option as well
     
  19. SpencerNY

    SpencerNY Member+

    Dec 1, 2001
    Up in the skyway
    Stick it out somewhere on the north east side of town. Downtown Fresno is a lost cause and I am not sure how anyone who has lived here more than a few years could think otherwise.

    Temp space should be Fresno state.
     
  20. flyfresno

    flyfresno Member

    Fresno Fuego
    Apr 2, 2017
    Fresno, Minneapolis
    You obviously haven't been Downtown Fresno lately. There's a reason all the cool new restaurants, coffee shops, and bars are opening down there while so many chains in the north are closing. The team belongs downtown, and I hope you'll come down to see all the cool things that have been are are still being done!
     
  21. hipityhop

    hipityhop Member

    New Mexico United
    United States
    Jan 10, 1999
    Mission TX
    Club:
    SønderjyskE
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Will there be any new MLS teams in USL next year? What about Dallas? NYCFC? Chicago Fire? Atlanta with their own team?
     
  22. catfish9

    catfish9 Member+

    Jul 14, 2011
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I know no nothing about that stadium or location , but I like the bowl wrapping around. Could focus on filling lower bowl first then if demand comes. use upper deck. be really sweet set-up if no track and stands were closer to field. But being grass and having Juco and HS football games might make pitch a mess. I love seeing all the creative ideas clubs are considering/using around the country.
     
  23. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    falvo repped this.
  24. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
  25. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    what does it say about Drumpf and impeachment???
     

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