Life after the Carrier Dome?

[Orangeyes]

Having been involved in two stadium projects it's interesting to hear all the points of view both positive & negative. History has a way of repeating itself as far as how people perceive the need for change and the economy that drives the engine for getting it done.

Back in 1969 our group started out not knowing that there were state and federal matching funds available. At that time the initial estimate for a domed stadium was $6 million. By waiting nearly a decade the costs went up by over $20 million.

Back in 2007 there was a proposal to build a domed stadium at Sky Top with a retractable roof. People fussed and fumed that we didn't need a new stadium and that we had trouble filling the 50,000 seat Carrier Dome. How could we fill a 60,000 seat stadium?

Funding the stadium:

Most folks say we can't afford to build a modern stadium, however, just as in 1969 there was a solution. Private business! They would raise the capital, the university would provide the site and they would make a business deal.

A hotel would be built on the outside of the stadium and a shopping center would be created on south campus.

There was even talk of an el system connecting the south campus to the main campus. What a blessing that would be to freshmen who aren't allowed to operate a car at SU.

It was revealed that the chancellor wanted the Dome gone and in it's place would go academic buildings.

Part of Drumlin's Golf course would be used for parking. They looked into getting an exit from 481 that would lead to the new Dome.

For their part, the businessmen would get parking revenues, the retail at the shopping center, restaurant and hotel.

The businessmen involved were on a fast track and didn't want months or years of feasibility studies. They had other projects they could invest in, in other cities should that happen.

There was a site visit by the committee, investors and builders with the head of grounds for the university. The proposed site was pointed out along with the planned demolition of one of the buildings which sat near ground zero.

An area was designated where an artificial turfed field could be installed for tailgaters and families to enjoy a game of touch football.

This project was spinning to reality when two things happened, both bad. One I'm not going to discuss here, the other was the economy and the collapse on Wall Street.

As with all dreams, they only become reality with a point person who won't take no for an answer. If someone has the vision all he needs to do is take the first step, you could call it the leap of faith.

 

[sufandu]

Having been involved in two stadium projects it's interesting to hear all the points of view both positive & negative. History has a way of repeating itself as far as how people perceive the need for change and the economy that drives the engine for getting it done...
...As with all dreams, they only become reality with a point person who won't take no for an answer. If someone has the vision all he needs to do is take the first step, you could call it the leap of faith.

Interesting OE.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I personally find the Dome just fine in terms of parking, getting in and out, and tailgating. I feel like putting a stadium in the middle of a giant parking lot (like UConn's) is depressing. I love how the Dome is situated right in the middle of campus - it adds so much nostalgia.

Where do you park?

 

[IthacaMatt]

and people who want to park in a giant parking lot can. they just have to take a quick shuttle.

If it were "quick", it wouldn't be a problem. But Colvin St. right before a game is not wide enough for the amount of traffic.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Completely agree. Notre Dame stadium was built in 1930, Michigan Stadium in 1927, and Neyland Stadium in 1921. These are all considered meccas for college football and have been renovated numerous times over the years. SU doesn't need a new stadium. They can keep the Dome relevant through renovations for many more years.

Probably the biggest single need is for better press accommodations. They need to knock out some private boxes and seating on the side facing the bleachers and turn that into a proper press facility, and then we'd be set.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I look forward to the day that Syracuse has a good football tailgating atmosphere. A big ass parking lot next to an football field. That's all I want.

I feel like putting a stadium in the middle of a giant parking lot (like UConn's) is depressing. I love how the Dome is situated right in the middle of campus - it adds so much nostalgia.

Sounds like whatever decision SU makes down the road about a new football stadium, not everyone will be satisfied.

 

[Eric15]

Where do you park?

For basketball games, I park at the Syracuse City School Building at Harrison and Irving. It was only $5 for years but I think they may have bumped it up to $10 finally. It's a 10-12 minute walk to the Dome. When you get back to your car, 81 is literally right there and there's virtually no waiting.

For football games, my friends and I tailgate in the lot on E. Adams across the street from HSBC. We usually arrive about 3 hours before kickoff, and the lot is about 25% full, and by an hour before kickoff the lot is completely full and lively. Great atmosphere.

 

[OrangeViking]

A glass roof? Sounds potentially lethal.

It's actually a plastic polymer called EFTE.

http://www.vikings.com/news/article...ear-Roof/dff31d45-bc82-41ec-b768-2ef03827bbe7

 

[omg_cuse_rules]

Completely agree. Notre Dame stadium was built in 1930, Michigan Stadium in 1927, and Neyland Stadium in 1921. These are all considered meccas for college football and have been renovated numerous times over the years. SU doesn't need a new stadium. They can keep the Dome relevant through renovations for many more years.

Oh you haven't heard? You can print money now.

Sent from my LG-VM696 using Tapatalk 2

 

[BlackKnight76]

Having been involved in two stadium projects it's interesting to hear all the points of view both positive & negative. History has a way of repeating itself as far as how people perceive the need for change and the economy that drives the engine for getting it done.

Back in 1969 our group started out not knowing that there were state and federal matching funds available. At that time the initial estimate for a domed stadium was $6 million. By waiting nearly a decade the costs went up by over $20 million.

Back in 2007 there was a proposal to build a domed stadium at Sky Top with a retractable roof. People fussed and fumed that we didn't need a new stadium and that we had trouble filling the 50,000 seat Carrier Dome. How could we fill a 60,000 seat stadium?

Funding the stadium:

Most folks say we can't afford to build a modern stadium, however, just as in 1969 there was a solution. Private business! They would raise the capital, the university would provide the site and they would make a business deal.

A hotel would be built on the outside of the stadium and a shopping center would be created on south campus.

There was even talk of an el system connecting the south campus to the main campus. What a blessing that would be to freshmen who aren't allowed to operate a car at SU.

It was revealed that the chancellor wanted the Dome gone and in it's place would go academic buildings.

Part of Drumlin's Golf course would be used for parking. They looked into getting an exit from 481 that would lead to the new Dome.

For their part, the businessmen would get parking revenues, the retail at the shopping center, restaurant and hotel.

The businessmen involved were on a fast track and didn't want months or years of feasibility studies. They had other projects they could invest in, in other cities should that happen.

There was a site visit by the committee, investors and builders with the head of grounds for the university. The proposed site was pointed out along with the planned demolition of one of the buildings which sat near ground zero.

An area was designated where an artificial turfed field could be installed for tailgaters and families to enjoy a game of touch football.

This project was spinning to reality when two things happened, both bad. One I'm not going to discuss here, the other was the economy and the collapse on Wall Street.

As with all dreams, they only become reality with a point person who won't take no for an answer. If someone has the vision all he needs to do is take the first step, you could call it the leap of faith.

great stuff, that would've been awesome

 

[DNABB5]

He didn't do his research on manley either. It isn't used for volleyball anymore. It's only a practice facility for field sports now. There are college stadiums far older than the dome still being used today. The only reason to retire the dome would be if football outgrows it. Ultimately the weather isn't keeping people away on a nice Saturday. If the football team gets back to being an annual top 25 team attendance will get back to what it was.

Right, The University of Cincinnati plays football in a stadium that is essentially the same as when it was built during the Coolidge Administration in 1924.

 

[RandygoCuse]

Having been involved in two stadium projects it's interesting to hear all the points of view both positive & negative. History has a way of repeating itself as far as how people perceive the need for change and the economy that drives the engine for getting it done.

Back in 1969 our group started out not knowing that there were state and federal matching funds available. At that time the initial estimate for a domed stadium was $6 million. By waiting nearly a decade the costs went up by over $20 million.

Back in 2007 there was a proposal to build a domed stadium at Sky Top with a retractable roof. People fussed and fumed that we didn't need a new stadium and that we had trouble filling the 50,000 seat Carrier Dome. How could we fill a 60,000 seat stadium?

Funding the stadium:

Most folks say we can't afford to build a modern stadium, however, just as in 1969 there was a solution. Private business! They would raise the capital, the university would provide the site and they would make a business deal.

A hotel would be built on the outside of the stadium and a shopping center would be created on south campus.

There was even talk of an el system connecting the south campus to the main campus. What a blessing that would be to freshmen who aren't allowed to operate a car at SU.

It was revealed that the chancellor wanted the Dome gone and in it's place would go academic buildings.

Part of Drumlin's Golf course would be used for parking. They looked into getting an exit from 481 that would lead to the new Dome.

For their part, the businessmen would get parking revenues, the retail at the shopping center, restaurant and hotel.

The businessmen involved were on a fast track and didn't want months or years of feasibility studies. They had other projects they could invest in, in other cities should that happen.

There was a site visit by the committee, investors and builders with the head of grounds for the university. The proposed site was pointed out along with the planned demolition of one of the buildings which sat near ground zero.

An area was designated where an artificial turfed field could be installed for tailgaters and families to enjoy a game of touch football.

This project was spinning to reality when two things happened, both bad. One I'm not going to discuss here, the other was the economy and the collapse on Wall Street.

As with all dreams, they only become reality with a point person who won't take no for an answer. If someone has the vision all he needs to do is take the first step, you could call it the leap of faith.

So was there enough interest from private business to fund all or most of the stadium? Also, you mentioned a shopping center and hotel. Would they generate enough business on game/event days to off set all of the other days? Or would the location of the hotel and shopping center be convenient enough to draw people on non-game/event days?

 

[MassOrange]

So something like Patriot Place in Foxboro. All manner of shopping, bars, restaurants, and a monster movie theater right next to Gillette Stadium.

http://www.patriot-place.com/InteractiveMap.aspx

 

[sufandu]

So something like Patriot Place in Foxboro. All manner of shopping, bars, restaurants, and a monster movie theater right next to Gillette Stadium.

http://www.patriot-place.com/InteractiveMap.aspx

That would be what Destiny was originally supposed to be.

 

[RandygoCuse]

So something like Patriot Place in Foxboro. All manner of shopping, bars, restaurants, and a monster movie theater right next to Gillette Stadium.

http://www.patriot-place.com/InteractiveMap.aspx

Last I heard, Patriot Place has been underperforming. Has this changed?

 

[IthacaMatt]

So was there enough interest from private business to fund all or most of the stadium? Also, you mentioned a shopping center and hotel. Would they generate enough business on game/event days to off set all of the other days? Or would the location of the hotel and shopping center be convenient enough to draw people on non-game/event days?

Sounds like when Congel wanted to grab up the Inner Harbor.

 

[KaiserUEO]

i got a 75% completed mall next to Giants Stadium that you can HAVE for FREE.

you just got to come down here and take it back up with you......

 

[orange79]

Last I heard, Patriot Place has been underperforming. Has this changed?

I really have no idea how it is doing financially, but Patriot Place is great. Good restaurants, mixed shopping venues, 14 screen movie theater. It has become a destination, even without the stadium. It's everything Xanadu wants/wanted to be. As much as it pains me to say it, Kraft did it right.

 

[FreeFries100]

All the replies and no mention of bringing back the blue curtain. I for one will say, bring back the Blue Curtain! I personally don't care about the long range seats that are lost. The curtain still allows for 30k and it provides a great backdrop for banners, flags, etc

 

[longtimefan]

All the replies and no mention of bringing back the blue curtain. I for one will say, bring back the Blue Curtain! I personally don't care about the long range seats that are lost. The curtain still allows for 30k and it provides a great backdrop for banners, flags, etc

I noticed you said "the" Blue Curtain, and not just "Blue Curtain".

 

[rottweiler44]

It will happen. We are going to South Campus. I've said it for years and will keep saying it. Gross wants a new facility and the University wants the property the Dome is on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Logistically there really is no other way than to build a facility (or facilities)on South Campus while continuing to use the Carrier Dome. When new construction is complete, move to the new place(s) and remove the Dome. There is no fall back stadium or arena to house football and basketball for a lengthy construction period.

I loved the Dome when I was at SU in the 90's, but lets face it, campus will be a heck of a lot nicer filled with academic buildings in the space that it occupies, or even an addition to the quad.

My opinion, keep the costs down and our brand continuity and build an updated Dome, perhaps with some flexibility to bring in the great outdoors when appropriate...

 

[HOFCeluck]

I'd like to see some pictures of what a replacement facility would look like. It's not like we're replacing an ancient field house with a luxury facility. It's a little more complicated.

 

[Scooch]

I really have no idea how it is doing financially, but Patriot Place is great. Good restaurants, mixed shopping venues, 14 screen movie theater. It has become a destination, even without the stadium. It's everything Xanadu wants/wanted to be. As much as it pains me to say it, Kraft did it right.

Patriot Place has not been doing well, financially. That's why Kraft was desperately trying to get a casino built there. Thank God the residents of my old hometown stopped that debacle in its tracks.

As for the Dome, there's absolutely no need to replace it. Anyone who has seen the improvements to Fenway Park over the past 10 years knows that you can radically reshape a venue if you really want to. Most of what the Dome needs is not what is keeping anyone from attending (wider concourses, more comfortable seating, etc).

The downside of the lack of tailgate space for football could be mitigated if the university got creative about the environment on campus for game days. Lots of potential in making more of a block party scene around M-Street, allowing tailgating on the quad, etc. But they don't want to go there, apparently.

I can think of 1,000 things I'd put that money towards before a new facility. That being said, I also understand the desire to open up that real estate for academic buildings. I would support moving a facility to south campus if that were the goal, and the funding wasn't some ridiculous Cal/Maryland/Rutgers-type boondoggle.