Although written at the start of baseball season, I just recently found this article which talks about the park the Southsiders could have had instead of Cominsky II.

While it is verboten to say, I firmly believe the following: Both Wrigley Field and Fenway Parks are DUMPS. I get venerating the playing surface and the associated history, but acting as if the grandstands are architectural marvels is baffling to me. They were never intended to last longer than 20 years and are in violation of several modern building codes. I guess don't get the appeal of falling concrete, cramped seats, the smell of 100 year old piss and claustrophobia.

All that said what I did find insightful was the part about the intimacy lacking in most modern parks and how it is due to the elimination of obstructed view columns. Their removal reduced the amount of overhang from the upper deck, forcing that part of the stadium further away from the field. If the goal is to bring fans closer then I would suggest eliminating some of the lower bowl rows and move some of the seating from out behind the foul lines. Also fewer decks in total along with one level of suites like PNC Park would also help.

As a resident of a metro area that just replaced 20 year old football and baseball stadiums, I thought this was an interesting piece on the intricacies of stadium design and the associated politics.