Or, at least, nearer it?

http://www.csnchicago.com/ncaa/news/DePa...feedID=661

Based on the current arena, this would help DePaul a great deal with attracting in-state and metropolis-area recruits.

DePaul has been talking about the main location (called the Finkl site) for awhile. It's really great on paper - a large available area that's walking distance to campus and there shouldn't be many NIMBY objections (which can be unbelievably suffocating in a really wealthy neighborhood like Lincoln Park, where DePaul is locared) where there's a conversion from current industrial use to an arena. That being said, until I see concrete plans for funding and environmental cleanup (as that site was used by a company that was literally named one of the 10 worst polluters in the nation), I won't get too excited. If it gets built, though, it's a game changer for the program. The best selling point that DePaul has is its Lincoln Park campus (which is in a great neighborhood for college kids), yet it plays basketball nowhere close to it. Getting a Lincoln Park arena would be massive.

Wow!! That would be awesome for DePaul (and the Big East).

Heading out to O'Hare from Downtown to play games in the WAY TOO BIG and generic Rosemont Horizon/All-State Arena (below) is soooooo depressing and not what college hoops is all about.



Playing in DOWNTOWN Chicago...at/next to campus would totally transform DePaul Hoops.

Hope they can get it done.

(03-27-2012 10:05 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  DePaul has been talking about the main location (called the Finkl site) for awhile. It's really great on paper - a large available area that's walking distance to campus and there shouldn't be many NIMBY objections (which can be unbelievably suffocating in a really wealthy neighborhood like Lincoln Park, where DePaul is locared) where there's a conversion from current industrial use to an arena. That being said, until I see concrete plans for funding and environmental cleanup (as that site was used by a company that was literally named one of the 10 worst polluters in the nation), I won't get too excited. If it gets built, though, it's a game changer for the program. The best selling point that DePaul has is its Lincoln Park campus (which is in a great neighborhood for college kids), yet it plays basketball nowhere close to it. Getting a Lincoln Park arena would be massive.

What Frank said. Knowing Chicago fairly well and having spent some time in the Lincoln Park neighborhood including on the DePaul campus an arena in what is one of the most attractive neighborhoods in the city would be huge. Its honestly one of the most attractive urban neighborhoods in North America.

Talk about rejuvenating that program. I remember driving out from the Loop to O'Hare (where the All-State Arena is located, essentially) to see at UC-DePaul game two years ago. It was a pain in the butt to get to get there during rush hour with a tipoff of 6 pm CST and the place was 80% empty.

Two questions:

1) Where is the money going to come from to build it?

2) Where is the money going to come from to clean up an old industrial site?

(03-28-2012 08:57 AM)UofLgrad07 Wrote:  Two questions:

1) Where is the money going to come from to build it?

2) Where is the money going to come from to clean up an old industrial site?

I'm sure those topics and more will come up during DePaul's BOT meeting in May.

Projects like this takes months, if not years to plan...so I'm sure all answers won't be found during the May meeting but a direction of which way to go or which way to review/research will probably come out of those meetings.

(03-28-2012 09:42 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(03-28-2012 08:57 AM)UofLgrad07 Wrote:  Two questions:

1) Where is the money going to come from to build it?

2) Where is the money going to come from to clean up an old industrial site?

I'm sure those topics and more will come up during DePaul's BOT meeting in May.

Projects like this takes months, if not years to plan...so I'm sure all answers won't be found during the May meeting but a direction of which way to go or which way to review/research will probably come out of those meetings.

Yea this definitely won't be an overnight project. Demo-ing a site takes time and money, especially one that will have to fit a basketball arena. Gotta figure that is only more expensive in Chicago.

(03-28-2012 09:49 AM)cinbinsportsfan Wrote:  

(03-28-2012 09:42 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(03-28-2012 08:57 AM)UofLgrad07 Wrote:  Two questions:

1) Where is the money going to come from to build it?

2) Where is the money going to come from to clean up an old industrial site?

I'm sure those topics and more will come up during DePaul's BOT meeting in May.

Projects like this takes months, if not years to plan...so I'm sure all answers won't be found during the May meeting but a direction of which way to go or which way to review/research will probably come out of those meetings.

Yea this definitely won't be an overnight project. Demo-ing a site takes time and money, especially one that will have to fit a basketball arena. Gotta figure that is only more expensive in Chicago.

It certainly won't be cheap...but a mid-size Arena in Downtown Chicago would be a win-win for sure...as many acts/events don't need the HUGE and VERY EXPENSIVE TO RENT United Center or the large but poorly located Rosemont Horizon...and there isn't a nice 10,000-12,000 seat alternative venue option in Downtown Chicago....as some of the only other options are the 6,900 seat 30 year old Pavillion at UIC or the 60 year old relic up at Evanston at Northwestern to name a few.

A brand new modern 10,000-12,000 seat facility would probably end up being very busy year round if its built right.

No clue if DePaul will ask for local city/county money but it would certainly help bring a lot of new $$$$ to the city/county on an annual basis so I could see how some funds and/or construction waivers might be granted to get this project completed.

(03-28-2012 09:58 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  It certainly won't be cheap...but a mid-size Arena in Downtown Chicago would be a win-win for sure...as many acts/events don't need the HUGE and VERY EXPENSIVE TO RENT United Center or the large but poorly located Rosemont Horizon...and there isn't a nice 10,000-12,000 seat alternative venue option in Downtown Chicago....as some of the only other options are the 6,900 seat 30 year old Pavillion at UIC or the 60 year old relic up at Evanston at Northwestern to name a few.

A brand new modern 10,000-12,000 seat facility would probably end up being very busy year round if its built right.

No clue if DePaul will ask for local city/county money but it would certainly help bring a lot of new $$$$ to the city/county on an annual basis so I could see how some funds and/or construction waivers might be granted to get this project completed.

100% correct. That's really the value proposition for the arena overall. Building an arena just for 16 or so DePaul basketball games per year in Lincoln Park is cost prohibitive. Building an arena that can be used by lots of different acts beyond DePaul basketball, though, is something that fills a direct broader need in the Chicago market.

That would be fantastic for both Depaul and Chicago. YUM! Center Did wonders for Downtown Louisville. Cleanup demo work was expensive. Minority contracting was also a plus keeping local contractors in the loop with local labor.

Just for the sake of clarity, neither of these sites are in "downtown" Chicago, but are accessible from both the main Lincoln Park campus and downtown. The heart of DePaul's main campus is basically Fullerton Avenue (2400 North) & Sheffield Avenue (1000 West).

The Finkl Steel site is located at Armitage Avenue (2000 North) & Southport Avenue (1400 West). This is basically four blocks south and four blocks west. It is actually even closer than that to the southwest edge of the main campus, making for a very easy walk.

The Morton Salt site is located at Blackhawk Street (1350 North) & Elston Avenue (1200 West at that point as it's a diagonal street). This is obviously further from campus, as well as across the river, but closer to downtown and next to the popular Goose Island.

I really hope DePaul can figure out a way to raise funds, take care of the environmental issues, and build an entire athletic complex at the Finkl Steel site. This may also be a boon for the soccer, softball, and track programs if there is enough space to fit them in.

All-State Arena sucks. It would be great to have a college arena at DePaul proper.

DePaul is rarely covered in Chicago anymore, excitement from the students and alumni in the city would go a long way in energizing the team and winning would make it a hit.

Get it done DePaul . . . I may even go to a game if you do.

(03-28-2012 11:54 AM)CardFan1 Wrote:  That would be fantastic for both Depaul and Chicago. YUM! Center Did wonders for Downtown Louisville. Cleanup demo work was expensive. Minority contracting was also a plus keeping local contractors in the loop with local labor.

Chicago doesn't need wonders, especially where DePaul is located. Besides, the city couldn't care less about a new DePaul campus arena.

The newly renovated Gentile Arena on Loyola's campus would be a good template for DePaul, just need to increase the capacity to 10,000 and drop it right next to the Lincoln Park campus . . . break out your checkbooks faculty, students, alumni and business partners.