The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(04-23-2017 04:36 PM)panama Wrote:  

(04-21-2017 03:51 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(04-21-2017 01:25 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  Can we recycle the Georgia dome. Sure that would save the city millions.

A cautionary tale of biting off more dome than you can chew...Atlanta may not be done with the Georgia Dome quite yet http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2017/4/18/1...nce-policy

The MBS problem is a complex roof not money

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The problem is being over ambitious. Luckily, Atlanta can afford it. Birmingham cannot.

I'll just keep saying it. The money to build a dome simply isn't there. Build the stadium per the existing plans.

An economic impact study of the upcoming NCAA indoor Track & Field competitions at the Fair Park facility may improve approval thinking for the MPF. Those metroB'ham folks mentioned would be the primary year round beneficiaries of the larger MPF investment. They could derive practically zero economic impact from a seasonal only stadium.

(04-24-2017 10:29 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  They could derive practically zero economic impact from a seasonal only stadium.

I'm not sure whether you need to look up the definitions of "practically", "zero", or "impact"...but all of those are wrong.

(04-24-2017 01:44 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:29 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  They could derive practically zero economic impact from a seasonal only stadium.

I'm not sure whether you need to look up the definitions of "practically", "zero", or "impact"...but all of those are wrong.

They MAY BE wrong (I said COULD), but if there are only 5 or 6 UAB home games (7 occasionally), one Magic City Classic (if it is not lured away to a larger facility like the SWAC game was) and the B'ham Bowl which is the only FB game with a draw of out of the metro area visitors, there may be little economic infusion since most UAB fans drive from local area homes and C-USA fans have not generally been big followers.

UAB needs a new stadium - that is not questioned. B'ham needs the MPF, and I don't believe it should give up on that "Big Dream". For the city to permanently accept fourth or fifth tier convention status offered by its 1970s era BJCC facility, may result in the whole state going in the same direction - smaller, cheaper, less useful, antiquated and perhaps eventually bankrupt as federal funding dries up going to growth states. Remember - Alabama is STILL the only southern sunbelt state presently projected to lose a Representative in Congress in 2020 (who decides where federal funds will be allocated). That will be a drop from 9 to 6 in my lifetime.

(04-24-2017 10:13 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 01:44 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:29 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  They could derive practically zero economic impact from a seasonal only stadium.

I'm not sure whether you need to look up the definitions of "practically", "zero", or "impact"...but all of those are wrong.

They MAY BE wrong (I said COULD), but if there are only 5 or 6 UAB home games (7 occasionally), one Magic City Classic (if it is not lured away to a larger facility like the SWAC game was) and the B'ham Bowl which is the only FB game with a draw of out of the metro area visitors, there may be little economic infusion since most UAB fans drive from local area homes and C-USA fans have not generally been big followers.

UAB needs a new stadium - that is not questioned. B'ham needs the MPF, and I don't believe it should give up on that "Big Dream". For the city to permanently accept fourth or fifth tier convention status offered by its 1970s era BJCC facility, may result in the whole state going in the same direction - smaller, cheaper, less useful, antiquated and perhaps eventually bankrupt as federal funding dries up going to growth states. Remember - Alabama is STILL the only southern sunbelt state presently projected to lose a Representative in Congress in 2020 (who decides where federal funds will be allocated). That will be a drop from 9 to 6 in my lifetime.

1. The plan for an open air stadium at the BJCC includes expansion and renovation of the BJCC Arena, including bringing it up to modern NCAA Men's Basketball tournament standards so that they can get opening rounds back
2. JEFFERSON COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM DO NOT HAVE $750 BILLION DOLLARS FOR A DOMED STADIUM. PERIOD.
3. The BJCC, Birmingham, Jefferson County, whoever may go bankrupt if we don't build a dome, but if we do I guarantee someone is going bankrupt.
4. WE DON'T HAVE THE FSCKING MONEY
5. For the purposes of UAB football, which occasionally is the point of this forum, an open air stadium presents a drastically better game day experience. I don't care about a bigger arena for monster truck rallies. The circus is out of business. I don't know what more big arena shows we should be expecting, but for about the 20th time Birmingham isn't Atlanta, and while we are sitting around talking about competing with them, cities like Memphis, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, etc are passing us by. Some of them have cultural and historical head starts on us, but the list of cities (and I use metro size, not city proper size) that used to be smaller than Birmingham but are now bigger just keeps getting longer. Again, perfect is becoming the enemy of the possible

(04-24-2017 10:13 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 01:44 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:29 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  They could derive practically zero economic impact from a seasonal only stadium.

I'm not sure whether you need to look up the definitions of "practically", "zero", or "impact"...but all of those are wrong.

They MAY BE wrong (I said COULD), but if there are only 5 or 6 UAB home games (7 occasionally), one Magic City Classic (if it is not lured away to a larger facility like the SWAC game was) and the B'ham Bowl which is the only FB game with a draw of out of the metro area visitors, there may be little economic infusion since most UAB fans drive from local area homes and C-USA fans have not generally been big followers.

UAB needs a new stadium - that is not questioned. B'ham needs the MPF, and I don't believe it should give up on that "Big Dream". For the city to permanently accept fourth or fifth tier convention status offered by its 1970s era BJCC facility, may result in the whole state going in the same direction - smaller, cheaper, less useful, antiquated and perhaps eventually bankrupt as federal funding dries up going to growth states. Remember - Alabama is STILL the only southern sunbelt state presently projected to lose a Representative in Congress in 2020 (who decides where federal funds will be allocated). That will be a drop from 9 to 6 in my lifetime.

+1

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(04-24-2017 10:25 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:13 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 01:44 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:29 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  They could derive practically zero economic impact from a seasonal only stadium.

I'm not sure whether you need to look up the definitions of "practically", "zero", or "impact"...but all of those are wrong.

They MAY BE wrong (I said COULD), but if there are only 5 or 6 UAB home games (7 occasionally), one Magic City Classic (if it is not lured away to a larger facility like the SWAC game was) and the B'ham Bowl which is the only FB game with a draw of out of the metro area visitors, there may be little economic infusion since most UAB fans drive from local area homes and C-USA fans have not generally been big followers.

UAB needs a new stadium - that is not questioned. B'ham needs the MPF, and I don't believe it should give up on that "Big Dream". For the city to permanently accept fourth or fifth tier convention status offered by its 1970s era BJCC facility, may result in the whole state going in the same direction - smaller, cheaper, less useful, antiquated and perhaps eventually bankrupt as federal funding dries up going to growth states. Remember - Alabama is STILL the only southern sunbelt state presently projected to lose a Representative in Congress in 2020 (who decides where federal funds will be allocated). That will be a drop from 9 to 6 in my lifetime.

1. The plan for an open air stadium at the BJCC includes expansion and renovation of the BJCC Arena, including bringing it up to modern NCAA Men's Basketball tournament standards so that they can get opening rounds back
2. JEFFERSON COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM DO NOT HAVE $750 BILLION DOLLARS FOR A DOMED STADIUM. PERIOD.
3. The BJCC, Birmingham, Jefferson County, whoever may go bankrupt if we don't build a dome, but if we do I guarantee someone is going bankrupt.
4. WE DON'T HAVE THE FSCKING MONEY
5. For the purposes of UAB football, which occasionally is the point of this forum, an open air stadium presents a drastically better game day experience. I don't care about a bigger arena for monster truck rallies. The circus is out of business. I don't know what more big arena shows we should be expecting, but for about the 20th time Birmingham isn't Atlanta, and while we are sitting around talking about competing with them, cities like Memphis, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, etc are passing us by. Some of them have cultural and historical head starts on us, but the list of cities (and I use metro size, not city proper size) that used to be smaller than Birmingham but are now bigger just keeps getting longer. Again, perfect is becoming the enemy of the possible

Actually you're now competing with third tier regional cities like Macon, Savannah, Columbus and Raleigh.

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You know what? When I was young, the B'ham Barons were playing the Atlanta Crackers, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Memphis Chicks and the Nashville Vols. B'ham is not on a par with any of those cities today. The list of southeastern regional cities that B'ham is NOT competing with is getting longer and longer year by year.

Revealing that the city of B'ham and Jeffco can't afford the MPF out of pocket is not exactly breaking the Enigma code. There is however, not a regional city or county that by themselves could. That is why they are all dependent upon state and private funding sources to build such facilities as the MB MPF which is due to open this year in Atlanta. All such facilities are a gamble since places like the Pyramid in Memphis illustrates. What is certain is that if a city does not try to compete, it will whither on the convention vine and can become more and more regionally irrelevant.

BTW, i wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta decided to keep the GA Dome as a "Plan B" convention site if rental space in the MB MPF is too rich for some conventions to profitably use.

I see no scenario where the Georgia Dome exists in 2018.

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(04-25-2017 01:11 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  BTW, i wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta decided to keep the GA Dome as a "Plan B" convention site if rental space in the MB MPF is too rich for some conventions to profitably use.

You are certifiable. They had already started to prepare the Georgia Dome for demolition until they stopped because of the new Mercedes Benz Stadium delays, and as soon as the new stadium is ready they'll restart the decommissioning process. At any rate, I'm done banging my head against this wall.

Birmingham mayor has big plans for downtown sports venue
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/...iver_index

(04-25-2017 08:14 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  Birmingham mayor has big plans for downtown sports venue
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/...iver_index

I like that Bell has vision to try to grow Birmingham back into a bigger city. Here's how I see it:

If a dome can be reliably financed, let's build the dome due to the other events it can hold. If dome funding is shaky/would take an undetermined amount of time to MAYBE produce the funding, build the open air stadium now.

I'm highly skeptical funding for a dome is feasible. Instead of waiting for a unicorn to materialize, let's build the open-air stadium now. If the money for a dome is there, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Show me the money or shut up about a dome. This is one of two things - big talk going into oncoming elections or various interests at City Hall looking to get their hands on a lot of graft money.

The MB MPF in Atlanta will open in coming months, and if it is popular and fiscally successful, will probably set off a new round of such facilities being built in major cities in the southeast. If B'ham chooses to remain on the sidelines in convention competition, its 1970s era facilities will place it accordingly. (The renovations to Legacy Arena are said to NOT increase its capacity but provide more elegant amenities like private boxes) We can then quit repeating Joe Volker's advice on dreams.

(04-25-2017 06:15 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(04-25-2017 01:11 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  BTW, i wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta decided to keep the GA Dome as a "Plan B" convention site if rental space in the MB MPF is too rich for some conventions to profitably use.

You are certifiable. They had already started to prepare the Georgia Dome for demolition until they stopped because of the new Mercedes Benz Stadium delays, and as soon as the new stadium is ready they'll restart the decommissioning process. At any rate, I'm done banging my head against this wall.

Yeah dome is gone as soon as we can get the new facility not to sink and up and running.

(04-25-2017 09:14 AM)hooverblazer Wrote:  

(04-25-2017 08:14 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  Birmingham mayor has big plans for downtown sports venue
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/...iver_index

I like that Bell has vision to try to grow Birmingham back into a bigger city. Here's how I see it:

If a dome can be reliably financed, let's build the dome due to the other events it can hold. If dome funding is shaky/would take an undetermined amount of time to MAYBE produce the funding, build the open air stadium now.

I'm highly skeptical funding for a dome is feasible. Instead of waiting for a unicorn to materialize, let's build the open-air stadium now. If the money for a dome is there, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

What if it's cheaper to build open air plus expand BJCC convention space?

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IMHO -- The city and Jeffco will have to choose which facility to build and the other will be scrapped at least for decades. The MPF, with its potential for attracting revenue from other cities and states is the only choice that may spare the municipal citizens significant increases in local taxes because municipal expenses are only going to increase for all service providers.

The state might block pay increases for the Mayor and City Council members, but it will not block pay for the hundreds of city employees like police, fire fighters, street and sanitation, road maintenance and such and their needed new equipment. The Jeffco Commission has these same personnel and equipment expenses too so both will need additional revenues.

One or the other needs to be built and the choices are clear.

(04-25-2017 06:21 PM)panama Wrote:  

(04-25-2017 09:14 AM)hooverblazer Wrote:  

(04-25-2017 08:14 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  Birmingham mayor has big plans for downtown sports venue
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/...iver_index

I like that Bell has vision to try to grow Birmingham back into a bigger city. Here's how I see it:

If a dome can be reliably financed, let's build the dome due to the other events it can hold. If dome funding is shaky/would take an undetermined amount of time to MAYBE produce the funding, build the open air stadium now.

I'm highly skeptical funding for a dome is feasible. Instead of waiting for a unicorn to materialize, let's build the open-air stadium now. If the money for a dome is there, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

What if it's cheaper to build open air plus expand BJCC convention space?

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I agree.
Build the open air stadium for $125m and build an additional convention hall.
Surely you could build one with the equivalent floor space of a football field for around $50m. It would be way cheaper.

(04-25-2017 10:08 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  The MPF, with its potential for attracting revenue from other cities and states is the only choice that may spare the municipal citizens significant increases in local taxes

I don't know what planet you are living on but economics don't work like that here