Thursday, June 7, 2007

Harrison Square Media Availability Slideshow

Click the image below to view a slideshow on Harrison Square presented at the media availability event held June 7, 2007 at the Grand Wayne Center.

Notes:

  • 4 levels of condos above the retail
  • Looking at restaurants to have outdoor seating
  • At suggestion of Councilman Tom Smith, corner of retail/condos scaled back to provide view into ballpark when driving along Jefferson Blvd
  • New entry has been established on corner mentioned above
  • Beyond the outfield will be a public park
  • Rooftop seating as part of parking garage in right field
  • Design elements taken from local buildings: brick and limestone, arches, towers, etc - reflected in design of new ballpark
  • 6000 fixed seats, with an overall capacity of 8000 to 9000 from seating areas such as the berms (1000 people) plus table top, bar, and other areas
  • Closest seats will be at field level and about 45 feet from the catcher. At Memorial Stadium the distance is about 66 feet and about 8 feet above the ground
  • 30 feet wide concourses provide views and vantage points from all around the ballpark
  • Suites will be closer and hang out over concourse and some seats
  • Hi-definition video board with live video capabilities
  • 6 inflatable features for families and children (2 at Memorial Stadium)
  • Open batting cages on concourse, may even be open to viewing from Ewing St
  • Bar/grill area for young professionals and college students
  • Luxury suites and a suite level club and lounge for businesses and business people
  • Large group areas for corporate functions
  • Capability to have stage in public area on non-game days
  • Field itself can hold larger concerts, access ramp incorporated into design so that equipment can be brought onto the field
  • Monster seats (ala Fenway) in left field
  • Retail at Harrison Square will have view into ballpark
  • Berm seating in right field will be terraced, regular slope berm seating in left field
  • 3 prime entry points into ballpark for naming rights
  • Significant number of interest in naming rights
  • Hotel will open slightly after ballpark
  • Field will still allow for football but turf management is largest concern for feasibility
  • Design isn't final

13 comments:

Unknown said...

NIIIICCCEEEE

Karen Goldner said...

It really does sound exciting.

tim said...

AWESOME!

Tim

barranda said...

Wasn't Tom worried about the traffic problems? I think his suggestion exacerbates it...that is, if a problem exists to begin with.

Unknown said...

4 questions Scott: Any timeline on when the ballpark details will be termed "final"? In regards to the grass seating, will there only be the small area of grass seating in left center? I was hoping there'd be more than just that. 3rd, will all of the "fixed" seats be REAL seats and not bleacher seating? I just LOOOVEEE how Memorial Stadium went with the "half and half" concept (Notice sarcasm). And lastly, to clarify about the scoreboard, with it being "Wrigley style" will it be the kind where a person manually puts the numbers up? Also will there be digital scoreboards along the facades on the left field and right field sides? Thanks.

scott spaulding said...

Any timeline on when the ballpark details will be termed "final"?

The development agreement is coming "soon" but I don't know when the ballpark design will be considered done. There's still time to get your ideas out there and share what you'd like to see.'

At one point in the presentation Jason Freier stopped everything and asked the people present if they had any input or ideas about the design, so I'd say it's not at all a finished design.

In regards to the grass seating, will there only be the small area of grass seating in left center?

It seems like in left field there will be a traditional sloped berm for families and in right field there will be a terraced berm for young professionals and college aged people.

3rd, will all of the "fixed" seats be REAL seats and not bleacher seating?

I think the only bleacher seats would be up near the scoreboard on top of the parking garage.

And lastly, to clarify about the scoreboard, with it being "Wrigley style" will it be the kind where a person manually puts the numbers up?

I think the Wrigley aspect comes from the idea that it will have the flags up on top ala Wrigley but I don't know about it being hand-operated - it would be nice if it was.

Also will there be digital scoreboards along the facades on the left field and right field sides?

Don't know about this one, it wasn't mentioned.

scott spaulding said...

From wane.com:

"The City of Fort Wayne wants to have final plans for the entire project ready by July 11th. That's the deadline if the City wants approval from the Plan Commission in August so they can break ground in the fall."

I guess that means start working on your design ideas if you haven't already!

Unknown said...

Thanks Scott!

scott spaulding said...

From Fort Wayne Business Weekly:

"Bleacher seating similar to the roof-top seats near Wrigley Field in Chicago and a hand-operated scoreboard are planned for right field, as well as left-field seats similar to those found at Fenway Park in Boston."

Unknown said...

When will be the next time the public will have the opportunity to give design ideas?

scott spaulding said...

I don't know if there's really any meetings set up yet for public input but you can always share your ideas here on the blog.

Scott Bryson said...

What happened to the Wrigley style scoreboard? Maybe the renderings just don't have it. I also thought it might be cool if they tried to integrate the stadium lights into the building design, instead of just having tall ugly polls. Overall, I think this is a great design and am really excited about it. Now they need to put a little more effort into the condo building. It is a little plain, I think.

Unknown said...

yeah I thought that the original conceptual drawings by Design Collaborative had very cool Condo design in right field. Apparently those have been eliminated from part of the parking garage. To me that condo complex from the new renderings just looks like a big black Lego block. Where's the creativity, like something with steps and gables and stuff. (Like you'd see in a big city)