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(09-23-2015 12:05 PM)ICB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 11:59 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:34 AM)price4UAB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:26 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 09:42 AM)price4UAB Wrote:  I think he is saying third parties (with "deep pockets") front the money to build a stadium near the Railroad Park that isn't necessarily owned by UAB, but boarders it so it is essentially an OCS, therefore eluding the requirement of the BoT's approval.

No, he's not. He's specifically saying an on campus stadium built, owned, and operated by UAB. Otherwise it's literally no different than the BJCC proposal aside from location, and location doesn't seem to be what he has a problem with.

Well then, it sounds like I came up with a better solution.

Your "better solution" is exactly the BJCC plan.

I thought the plan to as to put it near uptown?

Bingo!

Back to the original point of the topic, I'd go with Option 1 for one very basic reason - it has a realistic chance of happening. Yeah, an OCS is the goal. It's what we all want and all for which we have hoped for many years. But it's not likely - and refusing a high quality, practical, nearly-as-good option that's ready to go is one step shy of lunacy.

Remember that "perfect" is the enemy of "good enough" - don't miss out on a golden opportunity here waiting for something that may or may not ever happen. If a BJCC-owned facility doesn't meet the long term needs of UAB football, we will find a way to make an OCS happen when it's appropriate. If it DOES meet the need, and it gets the team out of Legion Field, then we have a fantastic opportunity to even further reinvigorate the fan base and the community to get behind the team.

(09-23-2015 12:24 PM)KSUBlazer Wrote:  Back to the original point of the topic, I'd go with Option 1 for one very basic reason - it has a realistic chance of happening. Yeah, an OCS is the goal. It's what we all want and all for which we have hoped for many years. But it's not likely - and refusing a high quality, practical, nearly-as-good option that's ready to go is one step shy of lunacy.

Remember that "perfect" is the enemy of "good enough" - don't miss out on a golden opportunity here waiting for something that may or may not ever happen. If a BJCC-owned facility doesn't meet the long term needs of UAB football, we will find a way to make an OCS happen when it's appropriate. If it DOES meet the need, and it gets the team out of Legion Field, then we have a fantastic opportunity to even further reinvigorate the fan base and the community to get behind the team.

+1. Makes sense to me.

Option 1

If you told any of us on January 1st 2015 that playing football would have been possible or even that we would would have a chance for Option 1, any of us would have been elated. We've come such a long way in such a short time.

Right now option 1 gives us the best chance to be competitive recruiting and come closer to packing out a stadium.

The stadium and its location are several levels below the Clark listed priorities for the renewed program. He wants a number of day to day facilities built on the UAB campus similar to those already being seen at the better high school programs around Alabama. The game day stadium is the final step in the team building, training and conditioning process.

ALL game day options on any list are "A" the MPF east of the BJCC; "B" a BJCC small stadium west of the BJCC; "C" wait for the OCS; "D" continue to play in Legion Field. Of these options, only "D" exists today with all other options varying in probability of being brought to fruition in the foreseeable future. Desirability is a function of that probability.

My personal preference list has "D" at the bottom and which ever of the others we can actually get built in my lifetime above it.

Option 1 for sure. I would love an on-campus stadium, but we need to take what we can get. I'm actually really excited about this possibility. Coach Clark recruiting with a brand new stadium and football facility... It's a dream scenario for UAB football.

(09-23-2015 12:05 PM)ICB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 11:59 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:34 AM)price4UAB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:26 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 09:42 AM)price4UAB Wrote:  I think he is saying third parties (with "deep pockets") front the money to build a stadium near the Railroad Park that isn't necessarily owned by UAB, but boarders it so it is essentially an OCS, therefore eluding the requirement of the BoT's approval.

No, he's not. He's specifically saying an on campus stadium built, owned, and operated by UAB. Otherwise it's literally no different than the BJCC proposal aside from location, and location doesn't seem to be what he has a problem with.

Well then, it sounds like I came up with a better solution.

Your "better solution" is exactly the BJCC plan.

I thought the plan to as to put it near uptown?

What's the difference? It's still not on campus, and the most likely place to get it built is by the BJCC since it's the BJCC who will be taking on the debt. Beggars can't be choosers, and like it or not right now we're beggars.

(09-23-2015 10:32 AM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 09:45 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  All I will say is this, an OCS secures the future of UAB Football. Playing at the BJCC doesn't do that. No offense but those saying UAB will never have an OCS also said the football program would never be shutdown.

Just sayin'........

Actually, many of the people saying there won't be an OCS any time soon are the same people who started sounding the alarm about the program's end.

Good observation. It's the same people, well-informed people.

(09-23-2015 01:17 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 12:05 PM)ICB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 11:59 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:34 AM)price4UAB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:26 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  No, he's not. He's specifically saying an on campus stadium built, owned, and operated by UAB. Otherwise it's literally no different than the BJCC proposal aside from location, and location doesn't seem to be what he has a problem with.

Well then, it sounds like I came up with a better solution.

Your "better solution" is exactly the BJCC plan.

I thought the plan to as to put it near uptown?

What's the difference? It's still not on campus, and the most likely place to get it built is by the BJCC since it's the BJCC who will be taking on the debt. Beggars can't be choosers, and like it or not right now we're beggars.

The difference is it depends on what the vision for the operations of the stadium is. Do they want to add a whole new dynamic to the Uptown scheme by adding the stadium there or do they want to ride the wave with Regions Park and add the stadium in that area which would complement the growing area AND please UAB the most.

Placing it at Uptown could surge the growth in that area. It would go well with the open container law passed recently. The hotels and the restaurants would benefit from the stadium.

Placing it near Regions would be essentially creating a sporting events district (minus Legacy Arena). That area is growing rapidly. They already see the success of Regions Park, and may think that they will have more participation at the events hosted at a stadium in that area as opposed to one near Uptown.

They have to ask which would gain them the most returns.

The way the question is phrased option 1 is the only logical choice. If there was a concrete timeline for an OCS that depended on UAB not playing at or supporting a new BJCC arena, then I'd say take that. As it stands now, there is no timeline for an OCS. An Uptown stadium is a huge improvement over what we have now, and not too inconvenient for students, even if it isn't as nice as having it on campus.

What Birmingham and UAB would be smart to do is give students more reasons to come to Uptown in the middle of the week, so that taking the bus there on Saturday feels like second-nature. Perhaps some special classes and enrichment or entertainment programs.

(09-23-2015 01:33 PM)price4UAB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 01:17 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 12:05 PM)ICB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 11:59 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:34 AM)price4UAB Wrote:  Well then, it sounds like I came up with a better solution.

Your "better solution" is exactly the BJCC plan.

I thought the plan to as to put it near uptown?

What's the difference? It's still not on campus, and the most likely place to get it built is by the BJCC since it's the BJCC who will be taking on the debt. Beggars can't be choosers, and like it or not right now we're beggars.

The difference is it depends on what the vision for the operations of the stadium is. Do they want to add a whole new dynamic to the Uptown scheme by adding the stadium there or do they want to ride the wave with Regions Park and add the stadium in that area which would complement the growing area AND please UAB the most.

Placing it at Uptown could surge the growth in that area. It would go well with the open container law passed recently. The hotels and the restaurants would benefit from the stadium.

Placing it near Regions would be essentially creating a sporting events district (minus Legacy Arena). That area is growing rapidly. They already see the success of Regions Park, and may think that they will have more participation at the events hosted at a stadium in that area as opposed to one near Uptown.

They have to ask which would gain them the most returns.

Since it's the BJCC putting up the money it's not that great a leap to think they'd want to put it by the existing BJCC so that it can juice Uptown and provide space for other events besides UAB football as part of the BJCC.

(09-23-2015 01:33 PM)price4UAB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 01:17 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 12:05 PM)ICB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 11:59 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:34 AM)price4UAB Wrote:  Well then, it sounds like I came up with a better solution.

Your "better solution" is exactly the BJCC plan.

I thought the plan to as to put it near uptown?

What's the difference? It's still not on campus, and the most likely place to get it built is by the BJCC since it's the BJCC who will be taking on the debt. Beggars can't be choosers, and like it or not right now we're beggars.

The difference is it depends on what the vision for the operations of the stadium is. Do they want to add a whole new dynamic to the Uptown scheme by adding the stadium there or do they want to ride the wave with Regions Park and add the stadium in that area which would complement the growing area AND please UAB the most.

Placing it at Uptown could surge the growth in that area. It would go well with the open container law passed recently. The hotels and the restaurants would benefit from the stadium.

Placing it near Regions would be essentially creating a sporting events district (minus Legacy Arena). That area is growing rapidly. They already see the success of Regions Park, and may think that they will have more participation at the events hosted at a stadium in that area as opposed to one near Uptown.

They have to ask which would gain them the most returns.

Obviously UAB and the district south of the tracks would gain, by far, the most returns, for UAB Stadium to be located nearest to Campus and to Regions Field and Railroad Park. It would be absolutely spectacular.

(09-23-2015 10:32 AM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 09:45 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  All I will say is this, an OCS secures the future of UAB Football. Playing at the BJCC doesn't do that. No offense but those saying UAB will never have an OCS also said the football program would never be shutdown.

Just sayin'........

Actually, many of the people saying there won't be an OCS any time soon are the same people who started sounding the alarm about the program's end.

Yeah that's true once the written was on the wall. I'm talking well before the demise of the program was imminent. Many posters stated that it wasn't a sure thing this program would survive based on how the program was being operated. And those posters were told to shut up and stop being negative because the program would not be shutdown.

It's whatever with me. But what I am seeing now from some posters is what I feared would reoccur. Simply happy to have football back and not caring where we play as long as we have good practice facilities.

(09-23-2015 04:45 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:32 AM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 09:45 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  All I will say is this, an OCS secures the future of UAB Football. Playing at the BJCC doesn't do that. No offense but those saying UAB will never have an OCS also said the football program would never be shutdown.

Just sayin'........

Actually, many of the people saying there won't be an OCS any time soon are the same people who started sounding the alarm about the program's end.

Yeah that's true once the written was on the wall. I'm talking well before the demise of the program was imminent. Many posters stated that it wasn't a sure thing this program would survive based on how the program was being operated. And those posters were told to shut up and stop being negative because the program would not be shutdown.

It's whatever with me. But what I am seeing now from some posters is what I feared would reoccur. Simply happy to have football back and not caring where we play as long as we have good practice facilities.

I think you are confusing not caring and spending time on things that are productive. Would I like to see a UAB-owned and operated stadium a block from Bartow Arena? Fsck yeah I would, but I operate in the world of the possible and it's not really all that useful to shout into the aether or at UAB administrators demanding something that isn't possible when I could spend that time and effort on things that would be more productive and have concrete results much sooner.

(09-23-2015 01:57 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 01:33 PM)price4UAB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 01:17 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 12:05 PM)ICB Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 11:59 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  Your "better solution" is exactly the BJCC plan.

I thought the plan to as to put it near uptown?

What's the difference? It's still not on campus, and the most likely place to get it built is by the BJCC since it's the BJCC who will be taking on the debt. Beggars can't be choosers, and like it or not right now we're beggars.

The difference is it depends on what the vision for the operations of the stadium is. Do they want to add a whole new dynamic to the Uptown scheme by adding the stadium there or do they want to ride the wave with Regions Park and add the stadium in that area which would complement the growing area AND please UAB the most.

Placing it at Uptown could surge the growth in that area. It would go well with the open container law passed recently. The hotels and the restaurants would benefit from the stadium.

Placing it near Regions would be essentially creating a sporting events district (minus Legacy Arena). That area is growing rapidly. They already see the success of Regions Park, and may think that they will have more participation at the events hosted at a stadium in that area as opposed to one near Uptown.

They have to ask which would gain them the most returns.

Since it's the BJCC putting up the money it's not that great a leap to think they'd want to put it by the existing BJCC so that it can juice Uptown and provide space for other events besides UAB football as part of the BJCC.

Yes, that was half of my point. Glad you agree with me.

looking at it solely from a urban planning and development angle it would be foolish to put it near regions. that area is already experiencing tremendous growth. putting it uptown would help encourage gentrification in the Norwood area. there are some fantastic houses north of 59.

(09-23-2015 07:06 PM)bladhmadh Wrote:  looking at it solely from a urban planning and development angle it would be foolish to put it near regions. that area is already experiencing tremendous growth. putting it uptown would help encourage gentrification in the Norwood area. there are some fantastic houses north of 59.

Norwood could be made great again, but something HAS to be done with that vacant hospital. You are 100% correct.......the RR Park area will continue to boom as is.

(09-23-2015 05:01 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 04:45 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 10:32 AM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 09:45 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  All I will say is this, an OCS secures the future of UAB Football. Playing at the BJCC doesn't do that. No offense but those saying UAB will never have an OCS also said the football program would never be shutdown.

Just sayin'........

Actually, many of the people saying there won't be an OCS any time soon are the same people who started sounding the alarm about the program's end.

Yeah that's true once the written was on the wall. I'm talking well before the demise of the program was imminent. Many posters stated that it wasn't a sure thing this program would survive based on how the program was being operated. And those posters were told to shut up and stop being negative because the program would not be shutdown.

It's whatever with me. But what I am seeing now from some posters is what I feared would reoccur. Simply happy to have football back and not caring where we play as long as we have good practice facilities.

I think you are confusing not caring and spending time on things that are productive. Would I like to see a UAB-owned and operated stadium a block from Bartow Arena? Fsck yeah I would, but I operate in the world of the possible and it's not really all that useful to shout into the aether or at UAB administrators demanding something that isn't possible when I could spend that time and effort on things that would be more productive and have concrete results much sooner.

So as long as you and others believe it's not possible for UAB to have an OCS, then know UAB Football will never be a sure thing. And that is exactly what UAB Administrator and the BOT want.

(09-23-2015 07:39 PM)Bham Blazer Wrote:  Norwood could be made great again, but something HAS to be done with that vacant hospital.

http://abc3340.com/archive/city-council-...l-property

(09-23-2015 08:19 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-23-2015 07:39 PM)Bham Blazer Wrote:  Norwood could be made great again, but something HAS to be done with that vacant hospital.

http://abc3340.com/archive/city-council-...l-property

Thanks for the link. That's the first I've heard about this lately. Parker's mom (Maxine Parker) was proposing this, right before her death.