Chapman's predisposition seems to be against development. I know she does not dislike soccer. However, her neighborhood was very opposed to the Shark Tank (so I'm told; it was before my time), and I know they were smarting to fight the proposed A's stadium downtown.
I see professional stadium activists! Maybe they should use the same energy to try and get Liccardo to put the Columbus statue placed in Little Italy. Last I heard it was locked in a box.
Or maybe Fioranelli can push to get the Columbus statue placed at Avaya? Well maybe not...... Back to the thread...with all the bigger crowds opening weekend, maybe the Quakes should expand the stadium? I’m not saying too big but maybe 5000 more seats? Just a thought....
I remember that part of town was quite seedy before the shark tank and during the first few years but then it started to get spruced up. I suppose they were thinking the extra traffic and activity would make the crime worse but as often tends to happen development $$$ begets more $$$ so neighborhoods will often improve. The Alameda corridor has gradually become de-industrialized over the past few decades and that trend will continue until it is entirely a trendy mixed use area.
I’d like to see them do the same thing done on Coleman near Avaya. I know they are building the Coleman Highline but I think it would be better if they build something resembling a different look. More like european, or even a colonial theme. Not sure what exactly but maybe something from different countries around the world. I think that would be cool for soccer fans.
Similar dynamic with the "high density" housing in the former cannery sites near Japantown. Initial resident opposition to the first complex, with the more recent ones seeing none. Meanwhile, Japantown itself has been tremendously enlivened.
So I guess the published figure was 18k but to me the crowd looked a little sparse, like the stands were about 2/3 filled, and the bar did not look as full as usual. Did people not show up because of the cold weather? Are we that wimpy? Or are we just making up attendance figures?
I think they probably sold all the tickets, but a lot of wimpy NorCal types didn't show up. I say this, because the comp tickets offered to staff were standing-room. Having spent about half my life in the upper Midwest and Idaho, I believe I have earned the right to call those folks wimps!
Per today's Merc, the statue will be moved to the Italian Heritage Foundation facility on North Fourth Street until it can eventually be safely placed in Little Italy. https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/03...s-statue-in-city-hall-finds-a-temporary-home/ Disgraceful that City officials are apparently making the Italian-American community privately raise the funds for the relocation of the statue from City Hall, when the entire affair is caused by governmental foolishness. Sort of like VTA trying to get private companies to pay for running their bus lines.
It was pretty nuts early in stadium. More people there earlier than I remember for any game except the first at Avaya. I have no question that it was capacity.
Weird. When you look into the stands, it looked like 2/3 full. If it was capacity, even allowing for some no-shows, I don't know where everyone was.
I thought the place looked pretty full. The stands always look 1/4 empty, a combination of people who don't attend and folks at LOBINA...