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http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/10/magi...er_default

A&M coulda/shoulda requested upgrades to Legion Field. Birmingham probably would have been more receptive than if UAB had made the request. Something as basic as replacing the barbed-wire chain link fencing with wrought iron would make a much better exterior impression. As old as it is it may even qualify for historic federal tax credits/grants...

We want UAB to be a part of the classic weekend, I'm not sure how UAB feels about it but many alums of both schools would like for UAB to play a Thursday nighter on classic weekend. That would boost UAB attendance instantly due to the fact that Legion Field's parking lot is already packed with fans and parties on Thursdays. Miles played a Thursday night game a few years ago and it was really a success for them.

I'm seriously considering attending this game, "Hornet"...In regards to what you said about that Labor Day Classic they did a couple of years ago, I'm at a loss for understanding why that hasn't been continued, that wretched place, Legion Field, needs all the activity it can muster, and quite frankly, I feel like the city's just hanging on these two schools for dear life because of its' inability to stabilize its' image as a football city in lieu of the mass exodus of football-related events and establishments in recent years. Indulge me, please, what if one or both schools had decided not to sign that contract? Would the city's **** be in a vise?Would they finally get it that no one wants to play football in Legion Field anymore? What's their next move had that taken place? Consult "junior" & "fess" for permission to demolish the place? Because UAB & the SIAC would be their only remaining "hostages" then...Just asking, man.

(10-23-2013 08:29 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/10/magi...er_default

A&M coulda/shoulda requested upgrades to Legion Field. Birmingham probably would have been more receptive than if UAB had made the request. Something as basic as replacing the barbed-wire chain link fencing with wrought iron would make a much better exterior impression. As old as it is it may even qualify for historic federal tax credits/grants...

The city doesn't pay taxes, it wouldn't need a tax credit.

Well UABs first game wasn’t at home this past year and the city dropped the ball on signing the Alabama State/FAMU game so Birmingham had nothing for Labor Day this year. I thought it was cool to see all of the fans mix and mingle that weekend. You're right; I think Birmingham should do something like that yearly!

Hope you decide to come out Saturday

(10-23-2013 10:47 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 08:29 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/10/magi...er_default

A&M coulda/shoulda requested upgrades to Legion Field. Birmingham probably would have been more receptive than if UAB had made the request. Something as basic as replacing the barbed-wire chain link fencing with wrought iron would make a much better exterior impression. As old as it is it may even qualify for historic federal tax credits/grants...

The city doesn't pay taxes, it wouldn't need a tax credit.

But doesn't a historic designation pave the way to grants for things such as maintenance and upkeep, such as Rickwood Field(I don't know if any of this applies to Rickwood or not. Just that it is identified as the oldest ballpark in the US.)?

(10-23-2013 11:44 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 10:47 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 08:29 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/10/magi...er_default

A&M coulda/shoulda requested upgrades to Legion Field. Birmingham probably would have been more receptive than if UAB had made the request. Something as basic as replacing the barbed-wire chain link fencing with wrought iron would make a much better exterior impression. As old as it is it may even qualify for historic federal tax credits/grants...

The city doesn't pay taxes, it wouldn't need a tax credit.

But doesn't a historic designation pave the way to grants for things such as maintenance and upkeep, such as Rickwood Field(I don't know if any of this applies to Rickwood or not. Just that it is identified as the oldest ballpark in the US.)?

Probably not enough to make it matter. There's a non-profit group (or was) that was raising money and providing for a lot of the upkeep of Rickwood Field at one point.

(10-23-2013 11:44 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 10:47 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 08:29 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/10/magi...er_default

A&M coulda/shoulda requested upgrades to Legion Field. Birmingham probably would have been more receptive than if UAB had made the request. Something as basic as replacing the barbed-wire chain link fencing with wrought iron would make a much better exterior impression. As old as it is it may even qualify for historic federal tax credits/grants...

The city doesn't pay taxes, it wouldn't need a tax credit.

But doesn't a historic designation pave the way to grants for things such as maintenance and upkeep, such as Rickwood Field(I don't know if any of this applies to Rickwood or not. Just that it is identified as the oldest ballpark in the US.)?

Both of you are correct. (although tax credits are very rare now). Very few historic organizations are interested in giving grants for athletic venues.

However the biggest problem is that after structure is designated as a historic destanation - it is almost impossible to tear down

I'm guessing this means UAB won't be going anywhere for five more years.

(10-23-2013 11:59 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 11:44 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 10:47 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 08:29 AM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/10/magi...er_default

A&M coulda/shoulda requested upgrades to Legion Field. Birmingham probably would have been more receptive than if UAB had made the request. Something as basic as replacing the barbed-wire chain link fencing with wrought iron would make a much better exterior impression. As old as it is it may even qualify for historic federal tax credits/grants...

The city doesn't pay taxes, it wouldn't need a tax credit.

But doesn't a historic designation pave the way to grants for things such as maintenance and upkeep, such as Rickwood Field(I don't know if any of this applies to Rickwood or not. Just that it is identified as the oldest ballpark in the US.)?

Probably not enough to make it matter. There's a non-profit group (or was) that was raising money and providing for a lot of the upkeep of Rickwood Field at one point.

The "Friends Of Rickwood"...Talked with one of their reps a while back, thanks to "Wiki." Really nice person, cared a great deal about that ballpark. Seems to me, that for all of its' historic value, the city would have done a better job of maintaining and upgrading it a bit, looked to me the last time I was there like they've for the most part, abandoned it.

"you can't create the future....by clinging to the past..." 11/2

(10-23-2013 12:06 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  I'm guessing this means UAB won't be going anywhere for five more years.

With the bookstore having moved to the old grocery store location (which is within the footprint of the proposed OCS) until the new student union building opens(Fall of 2015) plus 2 yrs of construction, that sounds about right.

(10-23-2013 10:02 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  We want UAB to be a part of the classic weekend, I'm not sure how UAB feels about it but many alums of both schools would like for UAB to play a Thursday nighter on classic weekend. That would boost UAB attendance instantly due to the fact that Legion Field's parking lot is already packed with fans and parties on Thursdays. Miles played a Thursday night game a few years ago and it was really a success for them.

That is a great idea............until our fans start to bit** again about ASU and A&M fans taking up their tailgate spots.

(10-23-2013 12:22 PM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 12:06 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  I'm guessing this means UAB won't be going anywhere for five more years.

With the bookstore having moved to the old grocery store location (which is within the footprint of the proposed OCS) until the new student union building opens(Fall of 2015) plus 2 yrs of construction, that sounds about right.

5 more years..."sigh"...What a crate of

You can't create the by clinging to the 11/2

(10-23-2013 12:35 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 10:02 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  We want UAB to be a part of the classic weekend, I'm not sure how UAB feels about it but many alums of both schools would like for UAB to play a Thursday nighter on classic weekend. That would boost UAB attendance instantly due to the fact that Legion Field's parking lot is already packed with fans and parties on Thursdays. Miles played a Thursday night game a few years ago and it was really a success for them.

That is a great idea............until our fans start to bit** again about ASU and A&M fans taking up their tailgate spots.

..You ole , you! Where do you plan on sitting for UAB's HC game against MT? Just got some great news , I don't have to work on the 2nd of November, so I can be there in time for the kickoff.

"you can't create the future...by clinging to the past..." 11/2

I'm looking at it from the standpoint that Birmingham is not going to "upkeep" Legion Field if or one game a year. There has been talk here that UAB's lease with Birmingham is expiring soon, and there was crazy talk about moving to Hoover. I just don't think the city would renew the magic Lease unless they knew we were sticking around as well.

In the state of the present Alabama economy (given its expected effect on UAB's nonmedical spending decisions), I expect UAB will be playing @ Legion Field at least through 2020 and probably several years beyond. There will continue to be only a few certain improvements that can realistically be done at Legion Field within current financial constraints under which the city must work. Major plumbing and concessionaire improvements are probably beyond its means.

(10-23-2013 01:37 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  In the state of the present Alabama economy (given its expected effect on UAB's nonmedical spending decisions), I expect UAB will be playing @ Legion Field at least through 2020 and probably several years beyond. There will continue to be only a few certain improvements that can realistically be done at Legion Field within current financial constraints under which the city must work. Major plumbing and concessionaire improvements are probably beyond its means.

Unfortunately +1

(10-23-2013 01:40 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  

(10-23-2013 01:37 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  In the state of the present Alabama economy (given its expected effect on UAB's nonmedical spending decisions), I expect UAB will be playing @ Legion Field at least through 2020 and probably several years beyond. There will continue to be only a few certain improvements that can realistically be done at Legion Field within current financial constraints under which the city must work. Major plumbing and concessionaire improvements are probably beyond its means.

Unfortunately +1

"SIGH"...Talk about self-imposed imprisonment? This does not bode well for the future of UAB Football.

"you can't create the future...by clinging to the past..." 11/2

To me it's not the age of the stadium itself, but rather the location. If Legion Field (in its current state) sat next to Railroad Park I'm willing to bet our attendance would be at least 150% of what it has been so far this season.

(10-23-2013 02:08 PM)FNblazer Wrote:  To me it's not the age of the stadium itself, but rather the location. If Legion Field (in its current state) sat next to Railroad Park I'm willing to bet our attendance would be at least 150% of what it has been so far this season.

It's both, "FN." location and condition, IMO Rickwood Field on this side of town would not draw like this beautiful Regions Park has, it's just a matter of cosmetics, "new" or "modern" draws, I promise you, The Georgia Dome placed in the heart of McDaniel & Whitehall section of town will not fare as well. I wish UAB could just do something along the lines of what Charlotte has done with their OCS and expand on that from there. We know what time it is expecting anyone else in position to provide a solution to UAB's stadium issue is non-existant. Might as well face it, we're stuck at "Lesion" Field with nowhere else to go. Horrible...Sickening...Melancholy...