Rumor mill

[Millhouse]

So to implement a drainage system under the turf are you saying that they'd need to cut up the existing turf? Would it be salvageable to reinstall, or would they need new turf?

cost of field turf is a rounding error when you're talking about a project this gigantic. it's still real money but if they're really considering this big a project...

 

[orangeinjersey]

Cost of turf is pennies on the dollar on a capital project like this, it's a non issue

 

[BlazeOrange]

I like the idea of a retractable roof, but I hate the idea of playing all home games at the Ralph. Why can't the team take a tour of New York State. One game in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, New York City. Heak, you could do a game at West Point and even one at Ft. Drum (if they have the facilities)

I like the Tour of NY idea too, but there are probably cost, equipment transport/storage, and logistics advantages to establishing one Home Away From Home for a season. Most likely peanuts compared to the overall project cost, but would still be added time/expense that would be better applied to the new/refurbished stadium.

 

[Scooch]

cost of field turf is a rounding error when you're talking about a project this gigantic. it's still real money but if they're really considering this big a project...

Of course. Just noting that it seems odd that we would have installed the new turf this summer when according to some its a certainty that we're also shutting down the Dome for a year to install a retractable roof.

 

[Millhouse]

Of course. Just noting that it seems odd that we would have installed the new turf this summer when according to some its a certainty that we're also shutting down the Dome for a year to install a retractable roof.

well, one thing we know for sure is that they didn't think through all aspect's of that field turf!

that does seem odd, i agree

 

[FrancoPizza]

So we're getting conflicting signals here. 2 reliable sources are saying this will be a major renovation and facelift, complete with retractable skin... and some specifics about the engineering firms involved... with a public announcement in 2 weeks. Then we have a couple others saying a new stadium might still be in play and that nothing has been decided. Honestly I don't know who or what to believe at this point, especially after the series of false positives with the sanctions (yes, we have a deal... no, we don't and now it's 2-year ban, etc). BUT at least in this case both options (major reno vs new facility) sound like major transformational investments for the program. I see it as nothing but GREAT news and it's a shot of excitement that I think many of us desperately need. This is coming from someone who admittedly views our football and basketball fortunes as half-empty. So if I can be positive about this then there's really no reason to be whining about how it will get done, whether it's justified, etc. Just get 'er done.

Count me in the camp that a new stadium at the Inner Harbor would have the greatest economic spinoff for this city and would help make the surrounding acreage some of the most valuable real estate this side of the Hudson River. A couple posters were saying what a great job Miner is doing with the Inner Harbor, but some things to consider: A) COR put together the winning proposal and coincidentally her husband is affiliated with COR, and B) I'm not impressed with COR's master plan. It looks like they're aiming for another Township 5 (whoop de doo) and they've already scaled back some of the original designs for the buildings. If the harbor is to reach its potential it needs a much bigger catalyst.

Back on topic, regardless of reno vs new, we're in the range of $200M-500M, and knowing Kent's fiscal prudence that can't possibly happen without state $. I can see Cuomo trying to stick it to Miner by supporting a brand new shiny toy just outside the city, but that would rule out the Inner Harbor. Then again, if the state is all in on the renovation that would be on tax-free land inside the city, so I dunno. It's confusing, but I can't wait to get it sorted out. One thing I don't care about is how a new roof will handle snow. They'll figure it out. I don't care if the roof is open 1 day a year, we'll still be the only university to have one. I don't care if the retractable roof is silly. Why do they even need a retractable roof in Dallas? That's not entirely practical there, either. It's either too hot or too nice down there... it might rain/snow for 1 game... that's about it. Don't give me the practical BS. Let's have some progress. Let's move into a new era for SU athletics. Let's energize this town.

 

[CuseGoose]

So to implement a drainage system under the turf are you saying that they'd need to cut up the existing turf? Would it be salvageable to reinstall, or would they need new turf?

The sections have flaps on either side that overlap and are hot glued together. I believe that tearing it up would damage those pieces and they would not be able to be reattached at that point...

 

[Scooch]

The sections have flaps on either side that overlap and are hot glued together. I believe that tearing it up would damage those pieces and they would not be able to be reattached at that point...

Gotcha, thanks!

 

[dollarbill44]

I think the retractable roof is so that all of the leaves blow in and there will be a leaf raking section for those who can't give up the habit when our team is ranked again, lol.

This is BRILLIANT! I can picture a grass terrace with leaves in the 3rd tier overlooking the end zone. People can go there, rake leaves and watch the game at the same time.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Not to mention that the entire Dome floor would have to be jackhammered up so drains could be installed under the turf. The water has to go somewhere.

Knowing SU, they'll want to recycle it. (The water, not the concrete).

 

[dollarbill44]

The sections have flaps on either side that overlap and are hot glued together. I believe that tearing it up would damage those pieces and they would not be able to be reattached at that point...

They could just use big iron-on patches, like my mom would do when I would wear through my jeans as a kid.

 

[dollarbill44]

Not to mention that the entire Dome floor would have to be jackhammered up so drains could be installed under the turf. The water has to go somewhere.

Knowing SU, they'll want to recycle it.

Or, they could raise the playing surface a foot or two and install a drainage system beneath it where the water runs out of the stadium at various points. Most of the newer outdoor stadiums have "floating" fields with drainage underneath so they can handle ridiculous amounts of rain. Granted, I believe those were all installed during original construction and not retro-fits, but anything is possible. It may actually be more cost-effective to buy a new field than to try to preserve it via expensive means. After all, what's a million bucks in the scheme of what we are talking here?

 

[FrancoPizza]

This is BRILLIANT! I can picture a grass terrace with leaves in the 3rd tier overlooking the end zone. People can go there, rake leaves and watch the game at the same time.

They can use drones to import the leaves which would tie in nicely to the UAV startups. Or they can start 'leaf day' where everyone donates a bag of leaves instead of canned goods.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Or, they could raise the playing surface a foot or two and install a drainage system beneath it where the water runs out of the stadium at various points. Most of the newer outdoor stadiums have "floating" fields with drainage underneath so they can handle ridiculous amounts of rain. Granted, I believe those were all installed during original construction and not retro-fits, but anything is possible. It may actually be more cost-effective to buy a new field than to try to preserve it via expensive means. After all, what's a million bucks in the scheme of what we are talking here?

We'll never find Jimmy Hoffa that way.

 

[xc84]

Why are we talking about drainage for the dome? Is anyone suggesting that the roof come off? If it is retractable, it will be kept shut during a bad-weather day.

 

[texascpa]

Not to mention that the entire Dome floor would have to be jackhammered up so drains could be installed under the turf. The water has to go somewhere.

Knowing SU, they'll want to recycle it. (The water, not the concrete).

They would probably recycle the concrete as well. In fact, most concrete is recycled.

 

[Toga]

Why are we talking about drainage for the dome? Is anyone suggesting that the roof come off? If it is retractable, it will be kept shut during a bad-weather day.

Done

 

[Millhouse]

Done

just give chip a straw. more sucking power and capacity

 

[Jeepers]

What happens to the student section if they go off-campus? The university lives and dies with the locals, but not good. I understand if there's state money involved, you have to jump on it.

My crazy, pie in the sky idea would be to build a new stadium at Drumlins, then make a secondary train stop (kind of like the Secaucus one to Giants Stadium) in East Syracuse area, then a permanent trolley that goes up to Drumlins (Comstock?). Yes, crazy.

 

[GoSU96]

What happens to the student section if they go off-campus? The university lives and dies with the locals, but not good. I understand if there's state money involved, you have to jump on it.

My crazy, pie in the sky idea would be to build a new stadium at Drumlins, then make a secondary train stop (kind of like the Secaucus one to Giants Stadium) in East Syracuse area, then a permanent trolley that goes up to Drumlins (Comstock?). Yes, crazy.

The distance to the Inner Harbor and the back of Skytop/Drumlins is with in a couple 10ths of a mile and a minute or two. And there is already much more infrastructure in the inner harbor.

Four huge existing lots the other side of Hiawatha from the mall and room south of Bear for more, all the restaurants and bars at the mall, adjacent to 81, Hiawatha and Bear St access to 690, both those feed into the Thruway, Regional Train/Bus station across the street, more parking at the Ball Park.

 

[FAL]

The distance to the Inner Harbor and the back of Skytop/Drumlins is with in a couple 10ths of a mile and a minute or two. And there is already much more infrastructure in the inner harbor.

Four huge existing lots the other side of Hiawatha from the mall and room south of Bear for more, all the restaurants and bars at the mall, adjacent to 81, Hiawatha and Bear St access to 690, both those feed into the Thruway, Regional Train/Bus station across the street, more parking at the Ball Park.

Great points, but plans or even speculation for this area as a potential site cannot go forward until we know what the future of 81 portends.

 

[ForCuseSake]

they did much more than the sands casino suggest you revisit the "steel mill" its an entertainment area with outdoor and indoor venues, grassey areas outdoor concerts all summer, pbs built a production facility down there and they are beginning the other phases ---google steel stacks---the casino is on the comlete other side of property which is separated by a bridge and hwy. apparently much more has changed since your day. the other side of bethlehem is syracuse's version of armory square with brick streets---the south side is just as you say---gentrified

I don't want to hijack this thread into a discussion of Bethlehem civic development but you're ignoring the most important fact: No casino, no new entertainment area with outdoor/indoor venues or PBS studio. If Ed Rendell doesn't legalize gambling to generate tax revenue then none of that stuff gets done. It didn't get done in the 80s, when Beth Steel started laying off thousands, not in the 90s when it closed the mill permanently.

I don't know how long you've lived in Bethlehem (I've visited every 2-3 years for the past 20 - last in 2013) so I'll just say that while these economic development projects (Sands, Steel Stacks, Lehigh expansion) are great for Bethlehem, it's the equivalent of moving to Syracuse circa 1989 and citing the Carousel Mall construction (rehab of Oil City), Armory and Franklin Square projects and saying "Syracuse is a can do city."

The Lehigh Valley is a great place to live and it's got a lot in common with the Syracuse metro area. I wouldn't use the tepid recovery of Bethlehem as an example of what Syracuse should strive to be.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Re: the timing of an announcement in 2 weeks, this does seem to coincide with LSU game week. Coincidence perhaps?

 

[Jeepers]

Re: the timing of an announcement in 2 weeks, this does seem to coincide with LSU game week. Coincidence perhaps?

I was thinking the Plaza 44 dedication. Maybe that steps on feet, though.

 

[chakka3421]

So we're getting conflicting signals here. 2 reliable sources are saying this will be a major renovation and facelift, complete with retractable skin... and some specifics about the engineering firms involved... with a public announcement in 2 weeks. Then we have a couple others saying a new stadium might still be in play and that nothing has been decided. Honestly I don't know who or what to believe at this point, especially after the series of false positives with the sanctions (yes, we have a deal... no, we don't and now it's 2-year ban, etc). BUT at least in this case both options (major reno vs new facility) sound like major transformational investments for the program. I see it as nothing but GREAT news and it's a shot of excitement that I think many of us desperately need. This is coming from someone who admittedly views our football and basketball fortunes as half-empty. So if I can be positive about this then there's really no reason to be whining about how it will get done, whether it's justified, etc. Just get 'er done.

Count me in the camp that a new stadium at the Inner Harbor would have the greatest economic spinoff for this city and would help make the surrounding acreage some of the most valuable real estate this side of the Hudson River. A couple posters were saying what a great job Miner is doing with the Inner Harbor, but some things to consider: A) COR put together the winning proposal and coincidentally her husband is affiliated with COR, and B) I'm not impressed with COR's master plan. It looks like they're aiming for another Township 5 (whoop de doo) and they've already scaled back some of the original designs for the buildings. If the harbor is to reach its potential it needs a much bigger catalyst.

Back on topic, regardless of reno vs new, we're in the range of $200M-500M, and knowing Kent's fiscal prudence that can't possibly happen without state $. I can see Cuomo trying to stick it to Miner by supporting a brand new shiny toy just outside the city, but that would rule out the Inner Harbor. Then again, if the state is all in on the renovation that would be on tax-free land inside the city, so I dunno. It's confusing, but I can't wait to get it sorted out. One thing I don't care about is how a new roof will handle snow. They'll figure it out. I don't care if the roof is open 1 day a year, we'll still be the only university to have one. I don't care if the retractable roof is silly. Why do they even need a retractable roof in Dallas? That's not entirely practical there, either. It's either too hot or too nice down there... it might rain/snow for 1 game... that's about it. Don't give me the practical BS. Let's have some progress. Let's move into a new era for SU athletics. Let's energize this town.

We will know if it's big if either the mayor or county exec and the gov are scheduled to show up for the announcement - I cannot believe how close to the vest this all is - much looser lips existed in previous administrations!

Looking forward to the big/BIG announcement - hopefully it's all good whatever the outcome!