RE: New Legacy Arena/Downtown Stadium Articles(need subscription, though)
Not a lot of new information. From the stadium article:
An updated version of the BJCC’s master plan calls for a stadium that would hold up to 55,000 and cost approximately $175 million. A dome, on the other hand, could cost upwards of $450 million, according to Bell.
“Whenever the dialogue comes up regarding a new facility, the No. 1 question is seating capacity, and I guess that’s a natural question, but that number is fluid,” said Gene Hallman, president and CEO of Bruno Event Team, which has helped lure a number of sporting events to Birmingham.
He said within a certain range, the incremental cost of the facility is small compared to the overall cost of the project.
But experts say that can change considerably when the conversation shifts to a dome or enclosed facility.
And that’s where many have said the financial realities of the project in Birmingham begin to outweigh the prospective benefits. Simply put, many say it would be difficult for the Magic City to earn the type of return to justify the investment.
“A beautiful new dome would be phenomenal but Atlanta’s dome is upwards of $1.5 billion and the economics just simply don’t work,” Hallman said.
Given those realities, Hallman said a new outdoor facility at the BJCC would be a strong addition to the local sports landscape.
Debate over a new sports facility has been a regular occurrence in Birmingham for decades, but many believe the timing is right for a new project to happen.
One reason is the revival of downtown and the emergence of Uptown. But the biggest factor is the return of UAB football.
“One of the primary reasons for this new facility is the future of UAB football and that program has a chance to flourish and carve out a really strong niche in Division 1 football with a new facility,” Hallman said. “UAB football is a very important element for the economic future of Birmingham, but I also believe we could get into serious rotation of major international soccer events with the men’s and women’s U.S. national team.”
On the stadium front, one of the biggest questions is how to pay for it. City leaders, including Bell, have said the project will require a public-private partnership. A recent court decision also cleared the way for Jefferson County to potentially help fund the project, as well.
While Bell has previously said some decisions on the project are likely to be made this year, it will still be at least a couple years before a stadium could debut for college football.
“I’m highly confident Legion Field would no longer be utilized (if a new stadium is built),” Hallman said. “It wouldn’t make sense to have both facilities. I do think there is dialogue going on regarding transforming Legion Field into a positive addition into that part of town. There wouldn’t be a hole left there from an economic standpoint.” 
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New Legacy Arena/Downtown Stadium Articles(need subscription, though)
