From a South DaCola foot soldier today;
The task force will make a final recommendation and cost estimate on August 21, but this is what they are looking at;
• Demolish the arena and double convention center to 120,000 sq ft. (I think it would be much cheaper to use the facility and make it into a 2-story convention space structure. But I’m sure some engineer with ties to a contractor told them to tear it down instead (Actually, there is a representative from Journey Construction on the Taskforce). Did you know the Arena was basically built as a storm shelter? It is a fortress, it will cost well over $2 million to tear down).
• Build another on-site hotel through a public/private partnership. (While I agree, we need another hotel at the site, it should be done privately. The city should either sell the land or lease it. I guess we learned nothing from the DT Parking Ramp Bunker downtown).
• Demolish SF Stadium and re-locate. (I am all for tearing it down and using the land for a new hotel, BUT, if it is relocated and built somewhere else, it should be with private money).
• There was also NO mention if the public gets to vote on the deal. This could easily cost us $50 million if NOT more, it must go to the taxpayers to decide.
I guess there was NO sign of the media at the meeting this morning, so you are hearing it here first, as usual.
There’s no way the city should build a baseball stadium for the Canaries. Yes, the games are fun to attend. But this is the minor leagues of the minor leagues. There’s no affiliation to MLB. How can anybody say with a straight face the city should provide them a state of the art facility at taxpayer expense?
You are right. I have suggested they play at Harmadon, it is perfect for the level of baseball they play.
I can’t understand why we have to build such grand palaces all the time? Just look at the Levitt. The only band that has used the entire stage was Brule. It’s way to big. Or let’s look at the $115 million dollar underbuilt EC that hasn’t had sh*t for shows this year. Enough of the Bread & Circus. I think the city would be wise to leave it open ended if we would build another stadium.
It would be a shame to tear down the Arena. It is a classic example of mid-century design with its Populuxe* qualities. Plus, the exterior of the Arena is in much better shape than the new Events Center.
I suppose the County Administration Building will be next, which has Frank Lloyd Wright influences found in its entrance ways due to the initial low ceilings found in that building.
*
https://www.amazon.com/Populuxe-Thomas-Hine/dp/1567313167/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=populuxe&qid=1564683705&s=gateway&sr=8-1
Will the new baseball stadium be known also as “Staab Stadium?” I think it should be. Just as the U.S. Bank Stadium should be the HHH Stadium.
If we are going to respect history, then we should continue to respect it…And I don’t think Hubert or Matt ever fought for the Confederacy, did they? 😉
I can’t agree with tearing anything down. We’ve spent enough money on entertainment. Canary stadium is there and serves well. If it’s torn down, a new stadium would cost today’s price and may not happen. The arena should become indoor football for high school tournaments. It’s where the circus happens. It and the convention center serve for middle size events such as farm, home, and monster trucks. These could be lost. If anything, repurpose Howard Wood Field into parking and relocate track and field events to a new grandstands on the southeast side of town at or near the 8 baseball fields.
The EC Club is focused on spending big bucks on tearing things down and creating more astronomical debt. Get practical.
Build another hotel but build another 5 story parking garage first so the hotel developer can back out and the city has another cubic dinosaur like the new landmark downtown.
Totally agree with Huddy. I don’t go to Canary games because it’s like legion ball. I’ll never see any of these guys in the bigs. Get affiliated with a MLB team even at the A level and attendance (and merchandise) would go up dramatically. Shouldn’t be funded by taxpayers in current state
Hard to believe anyone would think building a new stadium for the Canaries is a good use of public money given their attendance numbers.
For a city this size we’re fortunate to have the Canaries. The interest and attendance will grow as the area grows. The city doesn’t pay property tax so the only expense is maintenance and utilities on both the stadium and Arena. Tearing either down is like breaking your leg so you can use a crutch.