Stadium Concept

[ToledoRockets]

The Glass Bowl was a dump until 1990. We still had great crowds eventhough it was a crappy stadium. Yes, it is nicer now. But people do not come to the games because the stadium is nice. They come because of the support and the product we consistently put out on the field.

[Quickzips]

Continuing to feed the troll only encourages it to come out from under its bridge more frequently.

[xu9697]

The Glass Bowl was a dump until 1990. We still had great crowds eventhough it was a crappy stadium. Yes, it is nicer now. But people do not come to the games because the stadium is nice. They come because of the support and the product we consistently put out on the field.

Unless the Campus Map is wrong=Toledo's stadium is on-campus; Akron's is off campus. If you could grasp this as being a major part of why Akron wants a new stadium, you will understand so much more of what is going on here.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

The Akron and Summit Co. should view this as the most significant re-development opportunity in its history. The U-- the students-- have now plowed $300 million into a total campus makeover. The city and county need to step up and, as part of the University Park initiative, kick in big time into the one enduring economic engine the area has. UA won't go away. It won't move out of town.The city helped make Canal Park happen. It needs to do the same here.I disagree that a new facility won't have immediate impact on almost every aspect of the program, just like the fieldhouse and other improvements. A 25,000 seat stadium on campus, the schedule as it stands with some solid home opponents, solid corporate support, good marketing, and of course a competitive and exciting team will result in consistent crowds of 18-22,000, with sellouts for big opponents and key rivals or bowl implications. I get that from an incremental 4-7,000 students per game and increased awareness coming from additional coverage.Another way to look at it...we got 10-12,000 to drive to Detroit. That happened only after the team officially became a winner by sneaking into the championship game and winning it in dramatic fashion. If 10-12,000 would go to Detroit, on the day after Christmas, then I don't think it is unreasonable to assume we could readily get 50% more than that at the Rubber Bowl assuming they have the same reasons to be excited and interested. Add in a new facility and better scheduling, assume 5 years of good teams, and it is really easy to get to a consistent crowd in the 20,000 range.UA has like 80,000-100,000 alums within a couple hour drive of campus. They just need a reason to be interested and excited...let's give em 3 or 4 and see what happens!

[GP1]

We do have to give Toledo props for one thing. Last night they put up a statistic on the longest winning streaks in history and Toledo was high on the list with a bunch of real heavy hitters. So the MAC did get some good play last night.

[RobC2]

I am a newcomer to ZipsNation (though I've been a Zips fan for years), and I just discovered this stadium dialogue this afternoon. Needless to say, I am extremely excited that so many people have so much to say concerning the new stadium! I believe that a perfect storm of good coaching, good recruiting, good marketing, beautiful campus improvments, local support and the necessity of replacing the Rubber Bowl has come together to create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a beautiful stadium that all of northeast Ohio would be proud of - except perhaps for the Canton Repository; they are only ever jealous with anything that has to do with Akron (have you noticed that?).Anyway, with the admittedly awful football product that has been offered the Zips fan over the last, oh, almost 20 years - from the firing of Jim Denison through the Gerry Faust and Lee Owens eras - I can say that I am honestly amazed at the number of people that faithfully attend Zips football games! Now that JD Brookhart has established a firm foundation (through good coaching, good recruiting and taking advantage of vastly improved facilities) I am in agreement with the rest of you - I believe the sleeping giant is awakening!And now that the new stadium concept is an inevitable reality, I do believe that we should THINK BIG and not shortchange ourselves from the outset.I think a covered stadium is the way to go. I am a die hard fan (I grew up 5 minutes from the Rubber Bowl), but even I skip games now and then due to the weather. The fall weather in NE Ohio is precarious at best - rarely pleasant and often downright nasty. As much as I love Zips football, I despise sitting in the rain - and if there is one thing NE Ohio is known for, it is the consistent cloud cover and rain. I sat through one quarter of the Can't State game, but could not take more than 1/2 hour of that torture.Two potential drawbacks:1) is a domed stadium expandable?2) can a domed stadium be aesthetically attractive?I love Canal Park! People go to Canal Park for two reasons, only one of which is baseball! The other being that the stadium is an enjoyable experience in and of itself. I believe a good, old-fashioned, georgeous red brick football stadium would be fantastic! Could a domed stadium pull that off?

[GP1]

Two potential drawbacks:1) is a domed stadium expandable?2) can a domed stadium be aesthetically attractive?

I work in the construction business and I can tell you that with enough time and money they can do anything.The problem is they need a new stadium as soon as possible, so they don't have time. I assume they are having trouble getting the money or they would have stated publically that the stadium is a done deal. So, without a lot of time or money, we are going to have an outdoor stadium when we get one.The discussion about a retractable dome is pointless. The reason Ford Field has a permanent dome is the cost of a retractable dome was going to be about $20 million more.Give me a 30,000 seate stadium on campus and I'll be happy. All I need to be happy at a game is a field, a seat and some beer.A dome would be nice if they could afford it.

[Beanie 4 Heisman]

I am pretty sure they are build the stadium into the ground. However im not sure if it will be as deep as Michigan. I dont think the dome will happen because of the money that will be involved to do it. The stadium will be right by the field house, so it will go from Union to Spicer and from Vine to Exchange. That mean no more Nash street for all you Nash lovers . The university has already been buying up the businesses there. Look for the actual stadium announcement to come sometime around Feburary.

[RobC2]

Where do you get your "insider" information? I do hope they can generate a whole Camden Yards (Canal Park) type of atmosphere around the entire stadium site! We only get one shot at this! While baseball has seen the light (with retro-style stadiums), football stadiums still seem to be quite cookie-cutter/generic. I noticed Ford Field had a great looking loge/luxury box section which gave the stadium an impressive highth dimension (I believe it was 3 stories). Jacobs Field does the same. I think luxury boxes would sell well in the new Akron stadium, and give it an impressive, "BIG" feel, even if it seats only 30,000.Also, if it's going to be an outdoor stadium, we need to encorporate a new red brick bell/clock tower into the design. Akron has a few beautiful old clock towers around town & that would add an old-school, classy feel to the design. I've seen that planners have seemingly noticed this and have encorporated small clock towers into the new greenspace around campus already. This would be a Big Ben type of statement! It could ring when the Zips run through the tunnel & after we score!Which we'll be doing often!Go Zips!

[Zipsrifle]

Welcome aboard RobC2! Have you been nosing around for a while or did you just find the site? I think you'll find this is by far the best place to get info on the Zips! Now, I'll say it again, I believe a stadium will be built, but I'm only gonna believe a press release when it comes to the final location and the timing. Why? Well, over the past year there have been many, many posts that say an announcement was imminent. I have to believe that the proposed computer image is probably what will be built. I don't have a good reason for this other than the location and likely construction costs make sense to me. I like the Clock Tower idea. Though it may be a bit far from the center of the "educational campus" to really inform the students of the time, it would be a good for gamedays! I'm not worried about the stadium being asthetically pleasing, they've done a great job so far and I have confidence it will do it right. Proenza is THE MAN! I think we should name the field or the stadium after the guy!

[zipper]

At this point don't you think they'll wait until at least the new AD is on board for a couple of weeks? I heard they had a good chunk of the bucks raised already, but won't announce until they reach some certain point (half?). My source told me they were pretty close, so maybe it will be public in the spring.

[Captain Kangaroo]

At this point don't you think they'll wait until at least the new AD is on board for a couple of weeks?  I heard they had a good chunk of the bucks raised already, but won't announce until they reach some certain point (half?).  My source told me they were pretty close, so maybe it will be public in the spring.

Word on the street is the stadium will "officially" be annouced in mid-summer. It will be a 30k seat, open air venue. The cost of a dome exceeded 2X the open air option (more than 120 million $$)...and such a facility just isn't in our budget.The stadium will be on campus. It will not be downtown. Downtown was considered, but lack of sufficient space for a 30,000 seat stadium was the stumbling block. That, and the fact that the stadium is needed ON CAMPUS. Having the new stadium directly on campus is an absolute, uncompromisable "must." One of the reasons donors have so strongly stepped up to the table to back the stadium project is the fact that it is a major campus improvement. The donors are not as excited about upgrading the downtown area. Also - word is there will be a MLS/Wolstein 30k soccer arena built in Northern Summit county soon. It will be soccer-only. There was no possibility the University's new stadium needs could co-exist with the MLS taem's schedule, requirements, etc. so two stadiums will be built. Maybe we play a couple "big time" soccer games there one day, but that's about it.More will follow in the coming months, but take the above info to the bank. The only thing I'm not sure of is the completion date. I'll see what I can find out.

[Zipsrifle]

The stadium will be on campus. It will not be downtown. Downtown was considered, but lack of sufficient space for a 30,000 seat stadium was the stumbling block. That, and the fact that the stadium is needed ON CAMPUS. Having the new stadium directly on campus is an absolute, uncompromisable "must." One of the reasons donors have so strongly stepped up to the table to back the stadium project is the fact that it is a major campus improvement. The donors are not as excited about upgrading the downtown area.

I know we don't consider the University as being in Downtown, but it couldn't get any closer and NOT be in downtown. If it's on campus, it'll be close enough to downtown to have an economic impact.

[zipsbandman]

So it's safe to say that 2006 will be the year of an official announcement?

[Beanie 4 Heisman]

Definatly safe to say it will be announced in 06. Afew weeks ago we were close to have half of the money for the stadium. So once we get to half of the money needed there will be an announcement.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

So here is my turn playing novice urban planner.Assuming the covered, multi-purpose facility is just too expensive, UA should build an open air, 25-30K stadium, expandable to 50-60, with an integrated parking structure. [side note: It is crazy to me that there is even a possibility that an MLS stadium might get constructed separately instead of these being joint projects-- that is just crazy and incredibly inefficient. How could the 5-7 home games UA will play there conflict? It is stupid beyond belief if these projects are not merged, IMHO!]2 location options:Option 1: Re-route Exchange to complete campus transformationThis is thinking way outside the box, but let's go for complete campus transformation. The closing of Buchtel Avenue (when I was at UA), should be mirrored on the other side of campus with the re-routing of Exchange Street. Currently Exchange bends at campus to meet downtown's grid-- let's just unbend it, extending straight behind Gallucci Hall. A very large campus area will be created, enough space for a stadium and other campus buildings. Really makes a true campus, and truly awesome, campus!Option2: Span the tracksThere was a lot of talk when I as at UA about 'spanning the tracks' to connect UA and downtown. The Polsky Building acquisition and business school where the results (for better or worse). This concept covers the railroad ditch with a beautiful, landscaped plaza on which the stadium is constructed (with parking deck under).

[Beanie 4 Heisman]

i really like that first option. i dont know if the city would go for it though

[Hilltopper]

OK everyone, please pay close attention to what I' about to tell you. The magic # is 30. When we have $30 million in funding ground will be broken. Right now we have $17 million and counting. Total cost of the stadium$60 million. Anther $45 million for dorm space, classroom space and retail space. The $45mil will be financed through student fees. The stadium will be located near the fieldhouse between Spicer and Brown, fronting Exchange. The final plans have been approved. It will take 1 year to complete the project. All the other ideas about domes and span the tracks are nice, but the reality is this. its not going to be a palace but it will be ON CAMPUS! :macc:

[UA Fan]

Word on the street is the stadium will "officially" be annouced in mid-summer. It will be a 30k seat, open air venue. The cost of a dome exceeded 2X the open air option (more than 120 million $$)...and such a facility just isn't in our budget.

It makes no sense. You mean to tell me a roof + HVAC system costs $60M, as much as the whole rest of the stadium including site prep, foundation, steel skeleton, walls/windows/doors, painting/signage/decor, steel and/or concrete risers, 30K seats, furnished press box & loges, plumbing & electrical, inside & outside lighting, restrooms & fixtures, concession stands, playing field & turf, PA system, scoreboards, etc.?I am not in the contruction biz...someone will have to explain it to me. Any chance they'll at least run some heating coils through the seats for the blizzard games?

[Beanie 4 Heisman]

i wouldnt doubt it would cost a lot to put a rough on a building that big. i have no idea how much it would cost but it has to be expensive. I was freezin my balls off at the Can't game but football in ohio is great outside no matter the temp.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

Thx for the update Hilltopper. Where/how can I donate?Please tell me they have considered all the options-- I would hate to think this has been rushed after all these years.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

Also, have they done naming rights?

[Zipsrifle]

I like that Option 1 LAZF!

but the reality is this. its not going to be a palace but it will be ON CAMPUS!

It may not be a palace, but it better not be a piece of $#!+ either! I hope we don't just throw something up on campus to throw something up. At some point, I imagine they will be selling bricks or something. Buy a brick for say, $250, it gets put in a plaza just outside the stadium. I'd imagine they'll have something like that to raise money. Here's another question....Do you prefer bleachers or seats? I'd imagine there will be bleachers no matter what, but will the reserved section have individual seats?

[Z.I.P.]

[side note:  It is crazy to me that there is even a possibility that an MLS stadium might get constructed separately instead of these being joint projects-- that is just crazy and incredibly inefficient.  How could the 5-7 home games UA will play there conflict?  It is stupid beyond belief if these projects are not merged, IMHO!]

LA Zip,It's nice to have another Westerner on the board. Aloha from the Pacific Basin.Here is the reason why there could be NO cooperation between the MLS and the University of Akron, or anyone else: Major League Soccer has a rule that all new stadiums must have clear scheduling rights -- in other words, the MLS must have the field exclusively during the MLS season. The MLS franchise must also have exclusive control over all concession and parking dollars. UA could not co-exist under the second rule alone. These are the reasons why the UA will probably never use the coming soccer palace in Richfield.And, hey, I don't understand why Cap'n didn't drop the other shoe: The 30k seat palace will have a RETRACTABLE DOME, because it gets VERY cold in NE Ohio in the fall, and you don't want to let those big spenders' tootsies get frozen. I can't tell you how excited I am about Summit County getting a bigtime football franchise. I'm in el cielo de futbal!

[GP1]

I mentioned before why there will be no dome, but let me expand on the point that the University can not afford a dome. One of my biggest sales was on Ford Field where I sold over 2,000,000 square feet of product and a lot of it went into the roofing assembly so I do have a little experience with the construction of domes.A dome is out of the question because the pure costs of installing the roofing membrane on the dome will be too excessive. It cost millions of dollars just to install the membrane and insulation on Ford Field because of wind considerations, etc. The contract to put on the membrane and insulation at Ford Field was in excess of $7 million. Roofing prices have escalated significantly over the past five years and I'm sure a dome on Akron would cost in excess of $10 million. That was peanuts compared to the steel structure. I won't get into the engineering mistake that caused the roof deck to pop off when it was first installed, but that change order was huge to correct it and it almost didn't open up on time. The cloth hanging down from the roof in Ford Field to keep you from seeing an ugly underside of the roof deck was almost $500,000 to install.I would be surprised if the University could afford to excavate the land to have an in ground stadium. That's why newer MAC stadiums (Miami, Can't, BG, etc.) are not in ground. If you want it in ground, get ready for fewer seats.Finally, the cost of the new construction of a structure is only 20% of the lifecycle cost of that structure. So if you have a $20 million dollar building, it costs you about $100,000 million to build and maintain the structure over the life of the building. The state is having enough money problems to allow a hugely expensive roof to be replaced every twenty years. After about 60 years, the deck replacement on the roof would bankrupt the school. Without a dome, there is no HVAC maintenance, no leak problems to pay to fix and no extra costs to run the HVAC equipment. The cost to run the structure is reduced by not having a dome.It's fun to speculate about a dome, but in reality it just isn't in the cards.Sorry about the long winded post, but most of mine are long winded anyhow. This topic is much less funny than a Dick Clark post or a poll about Brady Quinn's sheman sister.