What the latest word on some stadium news? Does anyone drive by the proposed site? Are there any plans in motion yet? When do we expect a model of what it will look like? Is it still gonna be ready by 2006? Am I wearing pants?
I'm not gonna touch that last one. Literally But as to the others, I attended a Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce get-together Tuesday June 15. The Heinie's were a little warm, but the buffet table was out of this world. Great Buffalo Wings. Oh, stadium. First speaker was Mayor Landek. He talked a little bit about Bridgeview's financial health in general, then came around to the stadium. Most of the land has been acquired, businesses are to be out Sept 1. They want to break ground before the first solid freeze. They seem to think that they have traffic for sports figured out, not so sure on concerts. He turned it over to Steve Pastorino, and he started with a video touting AEG's other activities right now. A lot of imagery of the HDC. Steve talked about the team in general, and soccer, and also as far as marketing for local business, using the suites to wine & dine, stuff like that. During question & answer time, the design question came up and Steve stated that there would be an announcement in 10-30 days. Later talking aside, he hinted that the stadium would indeed resemble HDC but with Chicago (exterior) touches - I guess exactly what will be the suprise. Last was a guy whose name I forget from the South Suburban Association or something like that. He stressed that the 5-10 concerts a year would be good potential. In sum, good pep talk, good energy, short on specifics, but well received. Bridgeview seems to be solidly behind this by the talk among other people there. Peace
I really don't like the HDC all that much. The concourse should look onto the field as much as possible. At the HDC if you have to go get a beer you miss the action. More than that, it really makes you feel like you're not at an event. It's weird; distracting. As much as I love the lower level at Comiskey 2, going to the upper deck is terrible with the ramps on the outside of the building. I got the same general feel from the HDC. I really hope the Fire can work this issue out.
I would love to have some infomation "leaked" out to someone so that the general section 8 nutjob has an idea on how the design and what not is going.
I could be wrong on this but I thought I remember Peter saying there wouldn't be an upper deck that it would be one level.
I have a feeling that the firehouse is going to be the best stadium in MLS. From what i've read the stadium is going to have a brick facade and it's also going to have a metal roof. Hopefully the stadium's architect's will design the stadium with the seats close to the field.
Why wouldn't seats be close to the pitch? I can't imagine why a team would build a SSS and NOT put the seats right on the pitch!!!!! Or is AEG going to build this place as a concert venue 1st and a soccer stadium second?
Well, what do you want to know? Roof? Yes, on both sides. Seats close to field? Very. I also don't think Ben's concern about the concourses is going to apply.
I'm pretty sure there is indeed an upper deck but only on one side like the HDC. Expansion would involve a second deck being built over the Section 8 end.
I doubt this will be the case. As for the HDC, I have never been there so I cant say anything about the concourse or sitelines, but I am sure they will do it right in Bridgeview. I also must say that the Crews stadium (or at least the elevated seats behind the goal where we sit) are alright.
What i'm refering to is,the grandstands at the HDC. From what i can tell,they seem to be about 15 yards away from the touchlines. I just wish that they were closer to the touchlines.
They made them farther away because originally they wanted the field as wide as permitted but after a game or so they narrowed the field leaving the grandstands even farther away.
I love the stadium in Portugal with the rock walls in the end zone. Mabey we can build in Starved Rock State Park. Actually, all of Utica may be available
while I understand why you want for them to be closer to the field, you have to remember that the facility will be used for more than one purpose, and as such, the wider field surface they can build, the more options they have for uses. In the USA in 2004, that's got to be a top priority.