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

As far as city money goes they voted on a $150mil bond a couple of yrs ago w/ 75mil of it un marked as of yet. I'm sure some if not all of that is going to be city's ante to the project

I'll take it. Was hoping for something a little smaller, but I get that it's not just for UAB. Also, this is great news for the surrounding communities on the North and East side. Excited as a UAB fan, and I'm equally excited as a City of Birmingham resident to see our city take another step forward.

Now, it just needs to be designed with both UAB football and a future MLS soccer team in mind...

LOL, Surprised this has been posted yet

(10-07-2015 05:09 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  Alan Collins just said on TV that "UAB would be required to contribute money" and the state legislature would have to approve new revenue streams. Good luck.

I don't think he is 100% correct there. (depends on the definition of contribute money) Think more in terms of lease, contract, revenue share of some things etc. UAB is not going to be asked to contribute X amount of dollars up front unless something has changed all of a sudden.

I'd take this in a heartbeat if it actually happens. 27,000 less seats than Legion Field in a much better area and a nicer stadium. Would be just big enough to draw some P5 schools in. My main concern is that this gives UAB football less of a chance of ever being in the black in the long term most likely. How much money does UAB football lose by not owning their facility?

(10-07-2015 05:23 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  

(10-07-2015 05:09 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  Alan Collins just said on TV that "UAB would be required to contribute money" and the state legislature would have to approve new revenue streams. Good luck.

I don't think he is 100% correct there. (depends on the definition of contribute money) Think more in terms of lease, contract, revenue share of some things etc. UAB is not going to be asked to contribute X amount of dollars up front unless something has changed all of a sudden.

That's what I figured. Local TV reporters aren't known for their attention to detail.

I really, really wish an official announcement with details would be made soon instead of all the rumor and innuendo. And if they're not ready to say anything, then people need to stop talking about it in public.

It will be soon.

I tuned in at 5:15,, Guess I missed all the news relating to this. Im hoping to catch more at the 6PM local Fox News broadcast; Didnt see anything on the CBS or ABC affiliate after 5:15 either.

I haven't been this excited since I read on this board that the BOT was about to approve an on campus stadium and the money and financing was already in place.

Right on schedule. I won the bet and it was one of the two that I stated.

I'm honored that people actually place bets on what I will post on a message board. Wow!

Hope I made you some money.

BJCC director poured a lot of cold water on this story http://wiat.com/2015/10/07/bjcc-addresse...r-stadium/

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Tad Snider, CEO and Executive Director of the BJCC released the following statement addressing the possibility of an open-air stadium:

The Board of Directors of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority as a strategic planning matter periodically evaluates potential expansion scenarios for the BJCC, but we have nothing to share at this time related to a multi-purpose facility or open=air stadium. Potential expansion remains part of the Authority’s strategic plan, and remains a topic of discussion.

The Authority has recently been reviewing its financial capacity, available resources, important potential stakeholder partnerships and other elements that would be pivotal in any plan addressing the long-term positioning of the Authority, its facilities and its competitive position in the market, while being mindful of the ongoing dialog within the community relative to UAB. It’s important that the BJCCA evaluates strategies that enhance the attractiveness, appeal and competitive position of all of its venues, including Legacy Arena, Convention and Meeting Spaces, and the Concert Hall and Theater, as well as the potential for expansion via a multi-purpose facility or open-air stadium with components that allow for multi-purpose use and programming.

Last week the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Authority received an update from its staff relative to potential strategies that address the various long-term needs of the BJCC. There was no action taken by the Board as a part of the committee meeting. As the BJCC progresses responsibly in researching and evaluating opportunities, conversations will be ongoing at different levels as mentioned by Mayor Bell.

Well at least there will be beer hopefully on draft instead of buying from the guy with cans like at Legion Field.

Not really, it's a first PUBLIC step.

I do think things will move quickly though.

(10-07-2015 06:36 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  BJCC director poured a lot of cold water on this story http://wiat.com/2015/10/07/bjcc-addresse...r-stadium/

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Tad Snider, CEO and Executive Director of the BJCC released the following statement addressing the possibility of an open-air stadium:

The Board of Directors of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority as a strategic planning matter periodically evaluates potential expansion scenarios for the BJCC, but we have nothing to share at this time related to a multi-purpose facility or open=air stadium. Potential expansion remains part of the Authority’s strategic plan, and remains a topic of discussion.

The Authority has recently been reviewing its financial capacity, available resources, important potential stakeholder partnerships and other elements that would be pivotal in any plan addressing the long-term positioning of the Authority, its facilities and its competitive position in the market, while being mindful of the ongoing dialog within the community relative to UAB. It’s important that the BJCCA evaluates strategies that enhance the attractiveness, appeal and competitive position of all of its venues, including Legacy Arena, Convention and Meeting Spaces, and the Concert Hall and Theater, as well as the potential for expansion via a multi-purpose facility or open-air stadium with components that allow for multi-purpose use and programming.

Last week the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Authority received an update from its staff relative to potential strategies that address the various long-term needs of the BJCC. There was no action taken by the Board as a part of the committee meeting. As the BJCC progresses responsibly in researching and evaluating opportunities, conversations will be ongoing at different levels as mentioned by Mayor Bell.

There's a reason this information was leaked or pushed out there. Just saying.

You are correct sir!

(10-07-2015 05:18 PM)uabfanman Wrote:  I'll take it. Was hoping for something a little smaller, but I get that it's not just for UAB. Also, this is great news for the surrounding communities on the North and East side. Excited as a UAB fan, and I'm equally excited as a City of Birmingham resident to see our city take another step forward.

Now, it just needs to be designed with both UAB football and a future MLS soccer team in mind...

Not unless its a grass field. Men's professional teams won't play on artificial turf...

Frankly it will give the program growing room.
Who says we should settle for 30,000 fans at a game?

(10-07-2015 06:48 PM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  

(10-07-2015 05:18 PM)uabfanman Wrote:  I'll take it. Was hoping for something a little smaller, but I get that it's not just for UAB. Also, this is great news for the surrounding communities on the North and East side. Excited as a UAB fan, and I'm equally excited as a City of Birmingham resident to see our city take another step forward.

Now, it just needs to be designed with both UAB football and a future MLS soccer team in mind...

Not unless its a grass field. Men's professional teams won't play on artificial turf...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/CenturyLink_Field

(10-07-2015 06:22 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Right on schedule. I won the bet and it was one of the two that I stated.

Was I the other one? Sorry to disappoint if so. LOL

I'm pretty excited about this...just concerned about the possibility of needing to get a state tax increase voted on by the legislature...because I think that has all of about 0% chance of happening.