Memorial Stadium Renovation

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#2      

Bomb Squad 217

B
Bomb Squad 217
Yeah, it would be top of the line. Is there money allocated for a complete remodel of the horseshoe? Bringing it closer? more seats? That could explain the huge amount.
 
#3      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
Bomb Squad 217 said:
Yeah, it would be top of the line. Is there money allocated for a complete remodel of the horseshoe? Bringing it closer? more seats? That could explain the huge amount.
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Even that...

I'm just waiting to see some renderings of what they have in mind. It's kind of a tricky thing with what they've already done in the North End Zone and the limited space available.
 
#4      

DrewD007

DrewD007
Woodridge, IL
DrewD007
Second and Chalmers said:
Even that...

I'm just waiting to see some renderings of what they have in mind. It's kind of a tricky thing with what they've already done in the North End Zone and the limited space available.
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The last renovation was like $120 million? I can see this being 9 figures given they'll be knocking down, then building a new South end zone with all of those amenities and hopefully renovating the East concourse to match the West.
 
#5      

WesterveltVictoryCigar

WesterveltVictoryCigar
WesterveltVictoryCigar
Bomb Squad 217 said:
Yeah, it would be top of the line. Is there money allocated for a complete remodel of the horseshoe? Bringing it closer? more seats? That could explain the huge amount.
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This had been in the works under Thomas. The idea was to build a new structure in the SEZ that would house a new dining facility, coaches offices and weight room. Don't know if the scope is still the same, but I'd imagine a lot of it will still include those items. Hopefully they can also improve the seating there as well.
 
#7      

Hoppy2105

H
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hoppy2105
Fighter of the Nightman said:
I'm a broken record on this, but fixing the horseshoe is literally what's holding back MS from being a truly great college football stadium.
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I would also like to see it enclosed all the way. Just personal preference for me and I doubt they do it but it would be something to help with the wind tunnel esque wind behavior that we have in MS.
 
#10      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
Fighter of the Nightman said:
I think the structure is fine as long as it isn't where the students are seated like currently; that's the main problem in my eyes.
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I agree that moving the student section would significantly reduce the problem.

Just stick them in the other endzone and make the NEZ the section for the cheapo season tickets. Sitting people in numbered seats would disperse them throughout the section and make it far less embarrassing even when crowds aren't great (which is hopefully a problem of the past).
 
#12      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
I wish they'd bulldoze that awful north end zone as well. What a terrible design that totally removes the students from the atmosphere. I was in Block I when they switched us from the sidelines to the NEZ and boy was it jarring. It felt like they were trying to remove us from the game entirely. We couldn't even go meet up with family without leaving the gates. Terrible.
 
#13      

TheChiefRises

TheChiefRises
TheChiefRises
sacraig said:
I wish they'd bulldoze that awful north end zone as well. What a terrible design that totally removes the students from the atmosphere. I was in Block I when they switched us from the sidelines to the NEZ and boy was it jarring. It felt like they were trying to remove us from the game entirely. We couldn't even go meet up with family without leaving the gates. Terrible.
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To be fair there's also a certain cool feeling about being only with students and not having to worry about random people turning and staring when you shout, go crazy, or do other student gameday related actions.
 
#14      

DoctorOrange

D
Chicago, IL
DoctorOrange
TheChiefRises said:
To be fair there's also a certain cool feeling about being only with students and not having to worry about random people turning and staring when you shout, go crazy, or do other student gameday related actions.
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Meh. I liked being midfield and close up. I didn't like getting moved to the end zone. Plenty of crazy shenanigans happening in O block
 
#15      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
Second and Chalmers said:
I agree that moving the student section would significantly reduce the problem.

Just stick them in the other endzone and make the NEZ the section for the cheapo season tickets. Sitting people in numbered seats would disperse them throughout the section and make it far less embarrassing even when crowds aren't great (which is hopefully a problem of the past).
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Cover that thing with an O&B tarp until those seats are needed. When the horseshoe goes, the NEZ assumes the SEZ's duties, as per your suggestion.
 
#16      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
I was also a student when they built the NEZ stand. For a while there was still student seating on the sideline next to the north endzone (NE corner of the stadium next to the tunnel). I resisted moving to the NEZ stand as long as I could because I liked being right on the field, but by my senior year the only student seating was in the NEZ. It might be different if the students actually packed the NEZ, but as it is, there are just too few students at games to make it a good experience. I honestly think it's one of the reasons student attendance is down (along with a crappy team of course).

If I could wave a magic wand and redesign both end zone stands, I would demolish the horseshoe and build a new stand closer to the field that is entirely closed in and connected to the two sideline stands. I would also add seating in both the NE and NW corners of the stadium to close in that side as well. This probable wouldn't all much seating, but it would make the entire stadium closed in and create a much better atmosphere. Here's my incredibly amateurish rendering:

miJw1tN.jpg
 
#17      

IAmChrisFarley

I
IAmChrisFarley
TownieMatt said:
I was also a student when they built the NEZ stand. For a while there was still student seating on the sideline next to the north endzone (NE corner of the stadium next to the tunnel). I resisted moving to the NEZ stand as long as I could because I liked being right on the field, but by my senior year the only student seating was in the NEZ. It might be different if the students actually packed the NEZ, but as it is, there are just too few students at games to make it a good experience. I honestly think it's one of the reasons student attendance is down (along with a crappy team of course).



If I could wave a magic wand and redesign both end zone stands, I would demolish the horseshoe and build a new stand closer to the field that is entirely closed in and connected to the two sideline stands. I would also add seating in both the NE and NW corners of the stadium to close in that side as well. This probable wouldn't all much seating, but it would make the entire stadium closed in and create a much better atmosphere. Here's my incredibly amateurish rendering:



miJw1tN.jpg
Click to expand...



That is a hell of a lot better than what we have now. I want all the fans to be right on top of the field.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#20      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
Some other college football stadium projects-

Oklahoma - $370M - 3-phase major renovation
http://www.athleticbusiness.com/stadium-arena/oklahoma-sooners-announce-370m-stadium-renovation.html

Arkansas - $160M major renovation
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlo...s-out-swinging-on-razorback-stadium-expansion

Duke - $100M - major renovation
http://today.duke.edu/2016/08/wallacewaderenovations

Purdue - $65M for new football complex, stadium renovation (price tag tbd) may begin next year
http://www.hammerandrails.com/2015/...tball-master-plan-welcome-to-the-21st-century

Ohio State - $42M - stadium maintenance and upgrades, nothing major
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/genrel/032916aac.html

Penn State - major stadium renovation info probably to be announced this fall
http://wjactv.com/news/local/beaver-stadium-renovation-drawings-revealed



$120M-$150M - Illinois' 2008 renovation on West & North sides
 
#21      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
TownieMatt said:
I was also a student when they built the NEZ stand. For a while there was still student seating on the sideline next to the north endzone (NE corner of the stadium next to the tunnel). I resisted moving to the NEZ stand as long as I could because I liked being right on the field, but by my senior year the only student seating was in the NEZ. It might be different if the students actually packed the NEZ, but as it is, there are just too few students at games to make it a good experience. I honestly think it's one of the reasons student attendance is down (along with a crappy team of course).

If I could wave a magic wand and redesign both end zone stands, I would demolish the horseshoe and build a new stand closer to the field that is entirely closed in and connected to the two sideline stands. I would also add seating in both the NE and NW corners of the stadium to close in that side as well. This probable wouldn't all much seating, but it would make the entire stadium closed in and create a much better atmosphere. Here's my incredibly amateurish rendering:

miJw1tN.jpg
Click to expand...

Why the disclaimer? Looks great to me. The NE and NW corners and integration of the NEZ can be phase 2. Just do it. Whitman will get 'er done.
 
#22      

illini809

I
illini809
Chicago Illini Club just posted details on their facebook.

Original proposal included “football hall of fame, war memorial, and potential basement tunnel connecting to State Farm Center.” They attached these images and link to original proposal from 2005.

Link
 

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#23      

Double Down

D
Chicago, IL
Double Down
illini809 said:
Chicago Illini Club just posted details on their facebook.

Original proposal included “football hall of fame, war memorial, and potential basement tunnel connecting to State Farm Center.” They attached these images and link to original proposal from 2005.

Link
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Looks like a really nice stadium. One that a good football team would look good playing in :thumb:
 
#24      

illini809

I
illini809
FeelYourPaign said:
Sort of entertaining to me that the pic with the potential tunnel across the street says "to Assembly Hall". How old are those drawings? I seriously doubt that the Ath Dept. is doing drawings to AH today.
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As my post mentioned, it is from 2005...
I think this story is bigger that Werner suggested because I'm guessing all of the original plans are being thrown out, assuming they go with someone who is not HNTB.
 
#25      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
illini809 said:
Chicago Illini Club just posted details on their facebook.

Original proposal included “football hall of fame, war memorial, and potential basement tunnel connecting to State Farm Center.” They attached these images and link to original proposal from 2005.

Link
Click to expand...

I remember this, but think it was a competing plan with what we ended up actually doing in 2008. I do think it makes sense to have the south end stand look more like a horseshoe (as it does in these renderings). It would maintain a little nod to tradition, and as long as the bottom of the stand is close to the end zone I'll be happy.
 
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