Red Bull Arena Construction Thread III: Return of the Kaiser.

Some thoughts
1. Will they hold High School State title matches in the RBA, CoNJ/Hillborough HS are not the greatest of places (fake grass FTL)?
2. Will they hold the occasional Collegiate match there (Big East Tourney, SHU and SJU)?
3. All-Star game 2010?

 

On weekends there is only one line running to midtown (yellow/blue), and it's through Hoboken. And believe me, its at least an extra 15 minutes compared to the WTC line (red).



I've done both the trips plenty of times, and in my opinion taking the 'E' to WTC and then hopping on the PATH there would be much faster.

 

I would say probably yes to all three. We might get MLS Cup in 2010 instead of the All-Star game.

 

A news story on the Red Bull Arena Roof: The company they're using is right here in NJ and they will use up to 3 different types of tensile membranes to construct the roof.

www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2009/02/16/daily32.html

 

My understanding from the article is that Birdair is based in Amherst, the Buffalo suburb.

 

That's exactly the reason why the New England Revolution owner is looking into the Summerville community in Mass, that community is very similar to the Ironbound and their proposed new stadium will be direct in the middle of Boston's Portuguese/Brazilian community and surrounded by public transportation accessibility while being in the shadows of downtown Boston like BMO field is in Toronto. Building more of these stadiums in or near to urban immigrant downtown neighborhoods seems to be a better fit for MLS than building them in these far away suburbs like Dallas did when they left the Cotton Bowl near a Latin neighborhood in Dallas for Pizza Hut Park way out in Frisco Texas.

Even DC United owner Victor McFarlane is looking to build a compact new urban stadium near to train lines in Prince George County in Maryland and even though Philly's new stadium isn't inside the city limits of Philadelphia, it's in a compact urban city 3 to 5 miles from Philadelphia and near to public transportation rail lines. I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar fan environment duplicated in the new Red Bull Arena that's very similar to that of the environment at BMO Field currently, and who in MLS wouldn't want to duplicate that kind of fan environment?. I say put all these new soccer stadiums in more fan friendly areas and build the support that way. I think the soccer mom love affair is over and MLS is looking for young urban adults with lots of passion and energy to bring to these stadiums.

 

I agree. Just going out for food a drinks now will add over $50 to my cost easy. And I'm I'm already spending $200+ on tickets and travel money. Tailgating allowed me to enjoy the game longer, get more bang out of my buck and make a full event out of it. Now it's just going to wind up costing me a hell of a lot more money if I visit a bar/restaurant for food. (Guess no more tailgating)

 

Thought of gathering a group and sending notes to Red Bull about this?

Like, "is there possibly any area anywhere close that we could tailgate?"

Dunno. Worth a shot?

 

OOps!!!! Youre right of course--sorry for the brain fart!! Of course, it could be argued that Buffalo is a suburb of NJ!!

 

Why would you need Red Bull to do this?

If I was going to keep the pre-game tailgating barbeque tradition going, I would try to find a park with grills or picnic tables that is fairly close to the stadium, then just figure the appropriate time table (when to pack up and head for game.) Then, give a shout to all your peeps to come join you.

 

No idea. That's why it's just a suggestion with a "Dunno" attached to it.

In the plans, I believe there IS parkland scheduled to be built along the river.

 

Ok, did a small bit of research (because I also like the tailgate) and found that River Bank Park is just accross the bridge. In addition, if you are really serious about pregame partying, you can get a permit for picnics up to 300 people for $100.

 

Great find. Red Bulls fan clubs should take note of these opportunities. Riverbank Park is about a 5 minute walk from the stadium. The people in that neighborhood are very dedicated to the game. I'm sure with enough critical mass the surrounding parks would take on a festival like atmosphere on game days.

The other afternoon I was driving through the Ironbound going past Independence Park on rainy-snowy day, the small turf soccer field in the middle of the park had a game going with about a 100 guys standing around the fence-line waiting for their turn to play.

 

FYI, River Bank Park has a nice soccer field on it and a baseball field as well.

Also, Newark with the Army Corp of Engineers are building another park right on the banks of the passaic river, directly across the river from RBA. If you are ever in the area and drive from Harrison into Newark, while crossing the Jackson St. Bridge look to the right and you'll see were the Army Corp of Engineers are building one of the retaining walls of the park. Last I heard Harrison is going to be building a park directly across the river as well.

 

I'd kick in $5 or $10 for a pre-game picnic. If you got 30 people, you could make some bucks. For charity, of course

 

Looking at the webcam, I'm wondering if the "topping off" part of the stadium is done or close to being done. Is there a ceremony planned?

 

I'm not sure if you can tell, but can people "walk" over that bridge or is that only for cars?

If you can walk and you plan on taking the PATH then joining a tailgate at the park seems do-able. Quite a bit of walking but possible I guess.

If you drive in, driving to the park is easy but you have to make sure you leave the park early enough to get a spot inside the RBA parking garage. If the spots fill up I guess they'll be street parking available?? Hopefully? Somewhere?

 

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=...p=12,4.077234908772661,,0,-15.272589906009655

seems to have paths on both sides

 

Press release about the roof from Birdair

http://www.birdair.com/pdf/2009-02-17_Red_Bull_Arena.pdf

Great to see that it will start in april. At the moment its hard to tell whats happening at the stadium on the webcam as all you can see is a mass of steel!! Putting the roof and cladding on will show progress.

I did notice they have taken down some of the protective wrapping from the administration section. Is the weather getting better in NY??

 

Totally doable. I remember seeing people walking across it last time I drove over it. And it's only like 10 blocks in distance from the PATH, I think.

 

Yes, you certainly can walk through that bridge. I have myself.

 

wow you walked through a bridge? what X-MEN are you? i have walked on a bridge but never through it

 

hows the subway stop, is it ugly looking, and when are they fixing it up

 

Wow, I never expected to give away my secret that easily.

Of course, I stupidly end up falling into the river every time.

 

I was going to say I drove over the bridge today, but since there were many iron bridge structures above my car, may I should say I drove under part of the bridge, over the rest of it just so I won't upset your applecart.