CSNbbs

Here's an excerpt from the BBJ on the stadium:

Bell says stadium call could be made soon

Bell also noted that the much-discussed home for the University of Alabama at Birmingham football program at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex would be a public-private endeavor

Bell said a decision will likely be made soon about the direction to take with that project, noting that discussions are ongoing about whether it would be better to build an open-air stadium or an enclosed facility that could be used more often and for more types of functions. Of course, the latter would be considerably more expensive.

He said building an open-air facility could cost between $200 million and $225 million (estimates from the BJCC's new master plan put the cost at $174 million, while an enclosed facility could cost upwards of $450 million.

"I'm of the opinion we may need to bite the bullet and build a larger facility that we can utilize for a greater number of days than an open air facility," he said. "Either way, we're going to be making a decision fairly soon."

How many events could be conceivably hosted with such a complex? Do we have a shortage of venues in Birmingham?

(01-10-2017 04:25 PM)antblazer Wrote: [ -> ]How many events could be conceivably hosted with such a complex? Do we have a shortage of venues in Birmingham?

Que BAMANBLAZERFAN in ...3...2...1

Has a lot to do with setup and teardown. For example, the monster truck show(I think a 2-day event) from this past weekend takes about 3 days to setup and 3 days to teardown. During that time there are no events that can be held in that facility. Add to that the teardown of the previous event and the setup of the next event...

How is Bell involved in the BJCC building of the stadium?

(01-10-2017 05:29 PM)BlazerDave Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-10-2017 04:25 PM)antblazer Wrote: [ -> ]How many events could be conceivably hosted with such a complex? Do we have a shortage of venues in Birmingham?

Que BAMANBLAZERFAN in ...3...2...1

Started to say the same thing, but figured I would get in trouble for it.

(01-10-2017 06:44 PM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ]How is Bell involved in the BJCC building of the stadium?

I think the Birmingham mayor is an automatic board member. Also, the BJCC, of course, wants a Birmingham financial commitment to the project...

Kinda surprised he's leaning toward what we presume to be an indoor facility. I'd like to see the pro forma on that

Bright future ahead. Like the football building. Be patient.

(01-10-2017 10:35 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]Bright future ahead. Like the football building. Be patient.

The fact he brought it up and put a semi timeline on it is encouraging. I think people just need to see some kinda progress especially coming up on signing day

(01-10-2017 11:14 PM)biglizard Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-10-2017 10:35 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]Bright future ahead. Like the football building. Be patient.

The fact he brought it up and put a semi timeline on it is encouraging. I think people just need to see some kinda progress especially coming up on signing day

It definitely feels like we have everyone on board (with the possible exception of the city council), but being able to see some tangible progress would be encouraging. At this point, whether its open air or a dome it'll be immeasurably better than Legion Field.

(01-11-2017 12:26 AM)hooverblazer Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-10-2017 11:14 PM)biglizard Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-10-2017 10:35 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]Bright future ahead. Like the football building. Be patient.

The fact he brought it up and put a semi timeline on it is encouraging. I think people just need to see some kinda progress especially coming up on signing day

It definitely feels like we have everyone on board (with the possible exception of the city council), but being able to see some tangible progress would be encouraging. At this point, whether its open air or a dome it'll be immeasurably better than Legion Field.

Austin has said he favors the dome...

I'm still concerned about the size.
If it's too big we have the same problem with actual attendance vs perception.
30+k is ideal
40-50+ is pushing it
60 and over is right back in supply and demand again.

Dome would bring larger acts to Bham, concert wise.
Example, U2, Rolling Stones who now by pass Birmingham for Atlanta and larger venues for attendance.

Let's not get too locked into what Birmingham and Jefferson County are doing for UAB. They have a real need for another facility and the UAB situation happens to be in the middle of it. Whatever size or type is decided will have very little to do with what UAB wants or needs. I'll just be happy to get things moving...

(01-11-2017 09:29 AM)rook360 Wrote: [ -> ]I'm still concerned about the size.
If it's too big we have the same problem with actual attendance vs perception.
30+k is ideal
40-50+ is pushing it
60 and over is right back in supply and demand again.

Multi-purpose facilities can be built in such ways now to have various configurations suited to each event's or tenant's needs. The new Mercedes-Benz Stadium will have a capacity of 71,000 for NFL games (75,000 for college games/large events). But it will only have a capacity of 40,000 for MLS soccer matches. It will seat 83,000 for basketball. If Birmingham goes the indoor route, the design firm needs to be directed to such a multi-capacity set-up.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (football configuration):


Mercedes-Benz Stadium (soccer configuration):

(01-11-2017 11:41 AM)blazerjay Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-11-2017 09:29 AM)rook360 Wrote: [ -> ]I'm still concerned about the size.
If it's too big we have the same problem with actual attendance vs perception.
30+k is ideal
40-50+ is pushing it
60 and over is right back in supply and demand again.

Multi-purpose facilities can be built in such ways now to have various configurations suited to each event's or tenant's needs. The new Mercedes-Benz Stadium will have a capacity of 71,000 for NFL games (75,000 for college games/large events). But it will only have a capacity of 40,000 for MLS soccer matches. It will seat 83,000 for basketball. If Birmingham goes the indoor route, the design firm needs to be directed to such a multi-capacity set-up.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (football configuration):


Mercedes-Benz Stadium (soccer configuration):

+1

(01-10-2017 06:51 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-10-2017 05:29 PM)BlazerDave Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-10-2017 04:25 PM)antblazer Wrote: [ -> ]How many events could be conceivably hosted with such a complex? Do we have a shortage of venues in Birmingham?

Que BAMANBLAZERFAN in ...3...2...1

Started to say the same thing, but figured I would get in trouble for it.

OK, since I was called out ----

The needs of UAB can be adequately served by either stadium design as its needs are primarily limited to a new football (seasonal) facility alone.

The city of B'ham has a much broader need for a MPF which can serve year round conventions and event accommodations. In the past, I have quoted the GA Dome manager who stated after the GA Dome was damaged by a storm that they had over 200 events already scheduled for that dome so repairs needed to be made quickly before those events moved elsewhere.

Atlanta is now replacing that GA Dome with a new MPF of its own and M-B has paid millions for naming rights for it. After completion of the MPF, the GA Dome will be razed and a parking lot built there. The time frame of 1926 - when Legion Field was new - and 2017 when the new Atlanta MPF is opened for business can be seen as a gauge of where the two cities stand in any perceived competition for revenue producing events.

I guess my point is even if the trigger is pulled today you will have over a year of design and you will not see any tangible progress but in reality many people will be working hard on a design.

If they go with a dome, it will 1) never get built and 2) be a boondoggle around UAB football if it does get built

A 40-50k seat open air stadium or don't f'n bother