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Newest article from Harry M. with updated info and a response from Ballard.
http://pilotonline.com/sports/college/ol...05146.html

Ballard's Statement....."The entire S.B. Ballard Construction Company remains committed to Old Dominion University, including their administration and student body, and will continue to actively participate in opportunities to better ODU, whether as a general contractor, fundraiser or supporter of student activities," He has raised millions of dollars for the school's educational foundation.

Old Dominion is fortunate to have such a loyal and dedicated friend, who loves the University.

Harry M wrote.... "ODU chose not to review the bid and returned it unopened".

According to the article..... "ODU's board has not been briefed on the stadium issue for years and could not have adequately reviewed Ballard's proposal within the 30 days required by state law, Ripley said".

The highlighted portion of the above ODU statement, if true is a sad commentary about the BOV. I find it an unusual and odd way to address this issue. They must be living under a ROCK.

ODU has given him no reason to stop his support.

I'm not sure why Mr. Ballard didn't simply communicate with ODU before starting this venture. He could have saved a lot of time and money. It's totally unfair to force ODU to make a decision on a project that was force fed to them.

It doesn't sound to me that ODU has slammed the door shut. It reads to me "wait a little while and we'll get back to you"

Ballard did the right thing for Ballard. He's solidified himself in the eyes of public opinion, and demonstrated to university officials that he's willing to self-sacrifice. The $400K is not all lost either, as I'm sure many aspects of his current proposal will be used in the next one. Calculated risk that could pay dividends down the road.

I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

If we stay on the current site and the field stays perpendicular to Ainslie, a major issue still looms: the lack of room on the west side. Not sure what a newly-constructed stadium on the site would look like for sure, but I have to think that it will be asymmetrical with the east side being stacked higher than the west since there is more room to back up on. The neighborhood wedged northwest is going to hate out guts forever.

(04-23-2016 07:09 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

If we stay on the current site and the field stays perpendicular to Ainslie, a major issue still looms: the lack of room on the west side. Not sure what a newly-constructed stadium on the site would look like for sure, but I have to think that it will be asymmetrical with the east side being stacked higher than the west since there is more room to back up on. The neighborhood wedged northwest is going to hate out guts forever.

I realize that the stadium design will look like a ghost crab with one side being larger than the other due to the existing game day building. I just wanted to point out that mistake and hope ODU doesn't make another one when deciding on which company to choose.

(04-23-2016 07:55 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 07:09 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

If we stay on the current site and the field stays perpendicular to Ainslie, a major issue still looms: the lack of room on the west side. Not sure what a newly-constructed stadium on the site would look like for sure, but I have to think that it will be asymmetrical with the east side being stacked higher than the west since there is more room to back up on. The neighborhood wedged northwest is going to hate out guts forever.

I realize that the stadium design will look like a ghost crab with one side being larger than the other due to the existing game day building. I just wanted to point out that mistake and hope ODU doesn't make another one when deciding on which company to choose.

Understood. I just saw an opportunity to address the local implications of an asymmetrical stadium with the strong side noise facing west. Apologies for any stepped-on toes.

(04-23-2016 08:24 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 07:55 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 07:09 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

If we stay on the current site and the field stays perpendicular to Ainslie, a major issue still looms: the lack of room on the west side. Not sure what a newly-constructed stadium on the site would look like for sure, but I have to think that it will be asymmetrical with the east side being stacked higher than the west since there is more room to back up on. The neighborhood wedged northwest is going to hate out guts forever.

I realize that the stadium design will look like a ghost crab with one side being larger than the other due to the existing game day building. I just wanted to point out that mistake and hope ODU doesn't make another one when deciding on which company to choose.

Understood. I just saw an opportunity to address the local implications of an asymmetrical stadium with the strong side noise facing west. Apologies for any stepped-on toes.

The worst part of that plan is the east side would be facing the sun, and anyone who sits on that side will tell you, it sucks, bad. All those new luxury suites and home team fans need to be facing east, not west. Its bad enough to actually affect sales of suites.

(04-23-2016 09:05 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 08:24 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 07:55 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 07:09 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

If we stay on the current site and the field stays perpendicular to Ainslie, a major issue still looms: the lack of room on the west side. Not sure what a newly-constructed stadium on the site would look like for sure, but I have to think that it will be asymmetrical with the east side being stacked higher than the west since there is more room to back up on. The neighborhood wedged northwest is going to hate out guts forever.

I realize that the stadium design will look like a ghost crab with one side being larger than the other due to the existing game day building. I just wanted to point out that mistake and hope ODU doesn't make another one when deciding on which company to choose.

Understood. I just saw an opportunity to address the local implications of an asymmetrical stadium with the strong side noise facing west. Apologies for any stepped-on toes.

The worst part of that plan is the east side would be facing the sun, and anyone who sits on that side will tell you, it sucks, bad. All those new luxury suites and home team fans need to be facing east, not west. Its bad enough to actually affect sales of suites.

Ballard's plan has the tower of suites being constructed on the west side of the stadium so the sun would not be an issue for them.

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

Yep, they really screwed the pooch on the stadium alignment with that complex.
Had it been true EW. Expansion east would be a lot easier.

(04-23-2016 02:58 PM)ODU Oldtimer Wrote:  Ballard's Statement....."The entire S.B. Ballard Construction Company remains committed to Old Dominion University, including their administration and student body, and will continue to actively participate in opportunities to better ODU, whether as a general contractor, fundraiser or supporter of student activities," He has raised millions of dollars for the school's educational foundation.

Old Dominion is fortunate to have such a loyal and dedicated friend, who loves the University.

Harry M wrote.... "ODU chose not to review the bid and returned it unopened".

According to the article..... "ODU's board has not been briefed on the stadium issue for years and could not have adequately reviewed Ballard's proposal within the 30 days required by state law, Ripley said".

The highlighted portion of the above ODU statement, if true is a sad commentary about the BOV. I find it an unusual and odd way to address this issue. They must be living under a ROCK.

Either that or more likely Populous can't justify it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

(04-23-2016 10:03 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

Yep, they really screwed the pooch on the stadium alignment with that complex.
Had it been true EW. Expansion east would be a lot easier.

They really didn't have another option as to where they could have constructed the game day building. The stadium alignment was set when it was originally constructed in the '30's, ODU brought back football at the FCS level, and the sport would never have been revived if Foreman Field wasn't already there.

(04-23-2016 03:09 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  ODU has given him no reason to stop his support.

I'm not sure why Mr. Ballard didn't simply communicate with ODU before starting this venture. He could have saved a lot of time and money. It's totally unfair to force ODU to make a decision on a project that was force fed to them.

That's how unsolicited proposals work. They are a marketing ploy. The BOV has no reason to read it now. They don't have a recommendation from Broderick, who doesn't have a recommendation from Selig, who doesn't have a recommendation from Populous. The BOV is one of the last hurdles and there isn't anything that has cleared the first yet.

And there is no reason to think Ballard and ODU aren't communicating. He isn't going to communicate with the BOV directly, but I'm sure there have been discussions.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

(04-23-2016 10:08 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 02:58 PM)ODU Oldtimer Wrote:  Ballard's Statement....."The entire S.B. Ballard Construction Company remains committed to Old Dominion University, including their administration and student body, and will continue to actively participate in opportunities to better ODU, whether as a general contractor, fundraiser or supporter of student activities," He has raised millions of dollars for the school's educational foundation.

Old Dominion is fortunate to have such a loyal and dedicated friend, who loves the University.

Harry M wrote.... "ODU chose not to review the bid and returned it unopened".

According to the article..... "ODU's board has not been briefed on the stadium issue for years and could not have adequately reviewed Ballard's proposal within the 30 days required by state law, Ripley said".

The highlighted portion of the above ODU statement, if true is a sad commentary about the BOV. I find it an unusual and odd way to address this issue. They must be living under a ROCK.

Either that or more likely Populous can't justify it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Why would Populous have to justify anything? They are making their presentation to the BOV on June 9.

(04-23-2016 10:14 PM)paintedblue2 Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 10:08 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 02:58 PM)ODU Oldtimer Wrote:  Ballard's Statement....."The entire S.B. Ballard Construction Company remains committed to Old Dominion University, including their administration and student body, and will continue to actively participate in opportunities to better ODU, whether as a general contractor, fundraiser or supporter of student activities," He has raised millions of dollars for the school's educational foundation.

Old Dominion is fortunate to have such a loyal and dedicated friend, who loves the University.

Harry M wrote.... "ODU chose not to review the bid and returned it unopened".

According to the article..... "ODU's board has not been briefed on the stadium issue for years and could not have adequately reviewed Ballard's proposal within the 30 days required by state law, Ripley said".

The highlighted portion of the above ODU statement, if true is a sad commentary about the BOV. I find it an unusual and odd way to address this issue. They must be living under a ROCK.

Either that or more likely Populous can't justify it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Why would Populous have to justify anything? They are making their presentation to the BOV on June 9.

Right, but the numbers have been coming in for a long time. Study is probably even finished, at least the data mining.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

(04-23-2016 10:11 PM)paintedblue2 Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 10:03 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

Yep, they really screwed the pooch on the stadium alignment with that complex.
Had it been true EW. Expansion east would be a lot easier.

They really didn't have another option as to where they could have constructed the game day building. The stadium alignment was set when it was originally constructed in the '30's, ODU brought back football at the FCS level, and the sport would never have been revived if Foreman Field wasn't already there.

-Didn't need to build the suites in the first place.

-Thought short term. If they had the belief that it would grow then they should have thought a new stadium and what that meant later.

-I hate that the school used eminent domain to expand. But when the football was revived, ODU still had the ability to go after land they wanted. The block area along Bluestone could have/should have been snatched up instead of the block south of the Ted. (Again, I hate that the school did this, but they didn't think things through back then) What isn't used for the stadium expansion could be used for tailgating lots, academic buildings, a daycare center with a bigger park to replace the one that would be lost by taking that land.

(04-24-2016 08:43 AM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 10:11 PM)paintedblue2 Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 10:03 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 06:15 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  I didn't drink the Populous kool aid, I just browsed their body of work and came away thoroughly impressed.

Remember, ODU built that Ainslie Game Day Complex without envisioning the future needs of the football program. If the Foreman Field location is chosen, that building has to be incorporated into the new stadium design which will limit expansion. ODU cannot afford to be this shortsighted when deciding who should build the new stadium.

Yep, they really screwed the pooch on the stadium alignment with that complex.
Had it been true EW. Expansion east would be a lot easier.

They really didn't have another option as to where they could have constructed the game day building. The stadium alignment was set when it was originally constructed in the '30's, ODU brought back football at the FCS level, and the sport would never have been revived if Foreman Field wasn't already there.

-Didn't need to build the suites in the first place.

-Thought short term. If they had the belief that it would grow then they should have thought a new stadium and what that meant later.

-I hate that the school used eminent domain to expand. But when the football was revived, ODU still had the ability to go after land they wanted. The block area along Bluestone could have/should have been snatched up instead of the block south of the Ted. (Again, I hate that the school did this, but they didn't think things through back then) What isn't used for the stadium expansion could be used for tailgating lots, academic buildings, a daycare center with a bigger park to replace the one that would be lost by taking that land.

Foreman Field absolutely needed suites from day one of the re-start of football. To be economically viable the suites were necessary; they bring in lots of revenue, and more importantly they provided access to a very important segment of the fanbase which is a foundation of the future of the program.

Due to the ADA laws there is no other place suites could have been built except where they built them. If any part of the newly built suites touched any part of the existing structure the old stadium would have had to be renovated to meet current ADA standards, which would have been prohibitively expensive.

(04-24-2016 08:59 AM)paintedblue2 Wrote:  Due to the ADA laws there is no other place suites could have been built except where they built them. If any part of the newly built suites touched any part of the existing structure the old stadium would have had to be renovated to meet current ADA standards, which would have been prohibitively expensive.

Is this actually so?

The tyranny of the bureaucrats. When and how did we become such a small-minded nation?