The University Board plans to vote on this in November

But the leading plan is a total redo/addition of the current Dome. Cost $4-500M

http://syracusefan.com/threads/dome-renovation.95406/


Scott Brown at Rivals breaks the silence

Free Article

October 28, 2015

Major Dome Renovations Underway?
Scott Brown
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A few weeks ago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . received information pertaining to the options that Syracuse University was weighing when it came to what the venue for future events would be. The source who indicated that Syracuse was considering a slew of changes, asked that the information be kept until after the board considered the options in November. However, with Syracuse.com reporting on the issue and leaking some of the information, it seems as if now is as good a time as ever to fill our members in on some privy inside information.

According to the source, the university is highly considering keeping the main sports arena on campus and remodeling and renovating the Carrier Dome. From what we gather, the bidding process for the project is underway as we speak and could range in the upper hundred million dollar range with a projection between $400 and $500 million dollars. Syracuse, which has been considering moving the venue to a downtown location, seems to have cooled on that idea and is now looking towards retaining an on campus dome.

From what we have heard, the university is looking to make the Carrier Dome more modern and aesthetically pleasing from the outside, and one of the most modern facilities on the inside. Below is a beginners list of what could possibly be on the table when the board reviews the options in November.

Three of the sides of the Dome would be expanded:

On the east side, Archbold Gymnasium would become attached to the current structure and renovated to include new basketball courts and other sports features as well as a "museum" to honor the rich tradition and history of Syracuse University Athletics.

To the north, the Dome would eliminate Crouse Dr. and would expand into the Faulk College of Sport and Human Dynamics where new additions are to be made.

To the west, the Dome will push out to Irving Ave where a 6 to 8 story hotel and parking garage would be attached to the dome, much like the Rogers Center in Toronto. It is unknown if the rooms will overlook the field or not.

The south side of the dome will become larger as well to keep the symmetry, but also to expand the concourse and allow for the renovation of new concession stands (which is a point of emphasis with the expansion of the three other sides as well). This will not affect SUNY ESF in any way.

The locker rooms are to be expanded, renovated, and updated.

The roof would look less like a big balloon and more like a solid, metal structure. Again, modeled perhaps after Lucas Oil Stadium, windows around the outside of the roof will allow natural sunlight to enter the stadium. The idea of having the roof retract is still on the table but to a much smaller scale.

Luxury boxes are to be renovated and more added.

Seating is to be changed, reconfigured, and more added.

The stadium would have both a football field and a basketball court permanently built. The basketball court would be "stored away" during football games but moved mechanically to lie over the football field when needed. The entire process would be automated including the moving of the seating for basketball games.

Whether or not the new Carrier Dome will be equipped with air conditioning is not known at this time.

The process would begin as soon as the basketball season ended and would most likely continue beyond the start of the 2016 football season creating numerous problems. One of the biggest is what Syracuse will do for their home games? Bussing the team to Ralph Wilson stadium in Buffalo seems to make the most sense if the scheduling can match. MetLife Stadium shouldn't be off the table for consideration and it would seem as if the University of Buffalo's Stadium is too small (at 29,000 capacity). There will certainly be many avenues explored to make the situation the best that it can be. Whatever the decision, the athletic department is sure to meet backlash from the fans. In the long run, the changes that are on the table are exactly what the aging concrete structure needs to make Syracuse a more inviting venue for recruits, players, and fans from all over.

Great stuff! Caught several Cuse events there during my stint in upstate, glad the old girl is getting a well deserved makeover

If someone read, South side expansion..."will not affect SUNY ESF in any way."

SUNY ESF is a state school located steps away from the Carrier Dome. It is the State School for Environmental/Forestry. It once was part of Syracuse University. Students from both schools can take courses from each school.

https://www.suny.edu/campuses/esf/

It would be unimaginable to build a facility of that size and scale and to devote that many resources to making it a Taj Mahal and to still not include air conditioning. That would be an amazingly idiotic decision.

What they do have sounds really nice. I hope it comes to fruition. Not many schools have an extra $400–500 just lying around.

I wonder if you could split the difference and have the state help you build a basketball only arena in downtown Syracuse and you build an open air facility on the site of the Carrier Dome. Would people go for that?

That would be pretty sweet, IMO. Central New York is absolutely stunning in autumn. I'm not sure that there's another part of the entire United States that is as beautiful as the Finger Lakes in the fall?

I have always thought it was such a shame that they played indoors instead of outside for that reason.

Couldn't you build a nice new stadium for $4-500 million?

That is a whole lot of money. The dome should be sparkling if this comes to fruition.

Hoping the project is completed for our 9/29/18 match up with Cuse so I can get a chance to check it out.

$400-$500 million!

(10-28-2015 11:59 PM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  It would be unimaginable to build a facility of that size and scale and to devote that many resources to making it a Taj Mahal and to still not include air conditioning. That would be an amazingly idiotic decision.

What they do have sounds really nice. I hope it comes to fruition. Not many schools have an extra $400–500 just lying around.

I'm sure it will have A/C...those saying build an open air FB stadium and 20-25k BB arena have to realize you would be spending similar amount (or more) for two different facilities.

As for being outside...well it is just for 6-8 games a Fall...gotta figure 3-4 of them will be cold, cloudy or rainy/snowy...I say keep it indoors. Plus the lacrosse team can host games in Feb/Mar and not worry about the weather. Additionally, you have an outstanding facility to host NCAA championship events.

Didn't the Gov of NY want to build a stadium for syracuse for free? Dropping 4-500 millions seems ridiculously for a private school like syracuse. Also, will naming rights not be available if the carrier dome is still around?

(10-29-2015 09:34 AM)bluesox Wrote:  Didn't the Gov of NY want to build a stadium for syracuse for free? Dropping 4-500 millions seems ridiculously for a private school like syracuse. Also, will naming rights not be available if the carrier dome is still around?

It was $200M of the $400M or so the Gov proposed. Well the school is private but it serves more than just the university. Lotta politics involved...#vote buying/job creation. The reno (if it is selected) surely will be a combo of private/public money. Syracuse is the sports flagship of NY and needs to update the Dome or build new fairly soon.

(10-29-2015 09:34 AM)bluesox Wrote:  Didn't the Gov of NY want to build a stadium for syracuse for free? Dropping 4-500 millions seems ridiculously for a private school like syracuse. Also, will naming rights not be available if the carrier dome is still around?

The Governor was going to give between $200-$250 million. The Syracuse mayor got involved and somehow killed it. I'm pretty sure that money is still on the table.

I might be looking at this the wrong way but it looks like a renovated dome would serve the needs of the university as whole & not just athletics. It appears to me that the dome will serve some academic as well as student recreational function which might justify the costs

(10-29-2015 10:10 AM)mj4life Wrote:  I might be looking at this the wrong way but it looks like a renovated dome would serve the needs of the university as whole & not just athletics. It appears to me that the dome will serve some academic as well as student recreational function which might justify the costs

True. The Dome has hosted many other activities including State championships and tournies. I remember about 12 years ago prince performed there over 2 days with huge crowds.

(10-29-2015 10:10 AM)mj4life Wrote:  I might be looking at this the wrong way but it looks like a renovated dome would serve the needs of the university as whole & not just athletics. It appears to me that the dome will serve some academic as well as student recreational function which might justify the costs

True...the Dome is going to be tied to Newhouse and Sports Management Programs at SU...considered by most as one of the best Broadcast/Journalism/Sports Management programs going.

The Dome is used for graduations, HS games, concerts, Monster Jams, etc...

(10-29-2015 01:19 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  Couldn't you build a nice new stadium for $4-500 million?

Hard to say, because no one has built a Dome like Syracuse has since the Alamodome (i.e. a dome not being built to suit an NFL or MLB team), but the going rate for domes these days is over $1 billion. Also the type of renovation they are talking about, will essentially be a new stadium built over the old one, retaining a few walls. The difference is you don't have to completely destroy the old one and rebuild, and thus you still have a functioning facility while it is being built.

So what I'm hearing is: retractable basketball floor (think a floor lowering/raising which will yield more high quality seats as the floor is lowered below the football field), expanded concessions, wider concourses, upgraded seating, more luxury seating/lounges. Additionally two other buildings will be connected to the Dome...new roof with the use of glass like Lucas Field. Right now a hard roof but some of it may retract. A motel will be built on the western side (closest to I-81). No guesses on seating capacity.

Wish we had renderings because it sounds mightily impressive. There are definitely enough uses to justify the cost, as TexanMark mentioned, the facility is used year round. And as mj4life mentioned all SU students will benefit from the facility-- not just athletes.

Has it been said if the seating will be individual? Can we get orange pee troughs?

(10-29-2015 03:43 PM)TexanMark Wrote:  So what I'm hearing is: retractable basketball floor (think a floor lowering/raising which will yield more high quality seats as the floor is lowered below the football field), expanded concessions, wider concourses, upgraded seating, more luxury seating/lounges. Additionally two other buildings will be connected to the Dome...new roof with the use of glass like Lucas Field. Right now a hard roof but some of it may retract. A motel will be built on the western side (closest to I-81). No guesses on seating capacity.

Insane.

I still find it odd it is named for a company that conditions air yet it has no AC