Dodger Stadium 2.0?
Or by now, are we on to 3.0 or 4.0? Maybe more? Software metaphors aside, the Dodgers announced today an ambitious, $500 million expansion/renovation of the city's venerable stadium, with the goal of keeping the facility viable for the next fifty years. (That, by the way, explains why they're calling it the "Next 50 Plan.") Assuming all the logistical hurdles can be jumped (environmental impact reports, permits, and the like) the goal is to have Dodger Stadium- the second oldest ballpark in the National League (behind Wrigley), and the third oldest in baseball, once the Yankees move into their new park- all tricked with new shopping, eating, and meeting options by 2012. The goal, says Frank McCourt, is to "(create) a new stadium without tearing down the old."
Some highlights, via the press release:
"• Dodger Way - A dramatic, new tree-lined entrance will lead to a beautifully landscaped grand plaza where fans can gather beyond center field. The plaza will connect to a modern, bustling promenade that features restaurants, shops and the Dodger Experience museum showcasing the history of the Dodgers in an interactive setting.
• Green Necklace - The vibrant street setting of Dodger Way links to a beautiful perimeter around Dodger Stadium, enabling fans to walk around the park, outdoors yet inside the stadium gates. This Green Necklace will transform acres of parking lots into a landscaped outdoor walkway connecting the plaza and promenade to the rest of the ballpark.
• Top of the Park - The Green Necklace connects to a large scale outdoor plaza featuring breathtaking 360 degree views spanning the downtown skyline and Santa Monica Bay, the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, and the Dodger Stadium diamond."
While I question any plans that think the air quality on a July afternoon will be such that Santa Monica Bay will be visible from Elysian Park, overall the plan seems pretty cool (here are the picture galleries, if you'd like to take a peek). To compensate for the lost parking, the team plans on building garages, subterrenean parking, and the goal is to encourage the city to expand rail and bus lines to help deliver people to and take them away from the stadium.
Who knows what'll happen, and clearly any changes are a little ways away, but overall, it seems like a pretty ambitious plan. And while the McCourt's might not have a great record of spending their cash on free agents, they've done reasonably well on stadium improvement issues. He is a real estate man, after all.
BK
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I don't care what else they do if they bring public transportation to the stadium. I have all but stopped going to games midweek because the traffic from the west side is ridiculous. It takes 90 minutes to get there on an average Thursday. And that's without bathroom breaks and beer runs. :-)
Of course, there remains the question of exactly where the subway will go to, even if the McCouts do manage to get a Dodger Stadium stop. And how often it runs, and all kinds of other details. But it's a start.
Now, for a cynic's poll: Which will happen first
a) There's finally a way to take public transportation to Dodger Stadium
b) The Dodgers win a playoff series.
c) Juan Pierre's contract ends.
That contract doesn't look so long after all, now does it.
Posted by: SaMo | April 24, 2008 at 04:33 PM
SaMo -
You forgot...
d) Andruw Jones hears a Who?
Posted by: benzo jones | April 24, 2008 at 04:58 PM
SaMo -
You forgot one thing. And it's guaranteed to happen first:
*Ticket prices and parking increase dramatically... again.
Posted by: Higgins | April 24, 2008 at 05:01 PM
Here's what I'd like: sell all the land used for parking, and replace it with homes and businesses, like other stadiums that live in the heart of cities. I'm thinking of a Fenway, or Petco, and others like them. Put in mass transit systems and few will miss the parking. Those who do, can pay and arm and a leg to park in some private garages.
Posted by: Steve | April 24, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Yea I pay $20 bucks plus tax to see the dodgers play at the Litterbox here in San Diego...of course the parking garage is right next to the stadium
Posted by: K T USN (feeling retired) | April 24, 2008 at 11:37 PM
my vote is d) Andruw hears a who, but how is he going to give up his wonderful eggs? Maybe he should read the butter battle book and go butter-side-down.
Posted by: poppinfresh | April 25, 2008 at 08:55 AM
SaMo,
I couldn't care less about a subway stop since the subway doesn't come out to the Westside anyway. And don't hold your breath on getting one out our way in the next 25 years either, that would take not only an Act of Congress but an Act of God! What I'd like the Dodgers to do is set up a bus line like the Hollywood Bowl does, where you park your car at the Federal Bldg. or the DMV in Santa Monica and take the bus into the venue. That way, you're not stuck sitting in traffic both ways and you could enjoy another beer or two at the stadium during the game.
Posted by: Dodgers '81 | April 25, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Dodger '81:
You're still stuck in traffic on a bus, you just don't have to drive. I took the bus to the Bowl once; not exactly speedy. But if you could bring your adult beverages on board, it would be a little better. I wouldn't even mind driving to some place like LAX and taking a train from there if that were feasible. But if I have to change trains, forget it.
Posted by: SaMo | April 25, 2008 at 12:13 PM
its a good idea that mccourt are fixing dodgers stadium without ruining it.the only concered i have is the parking for thoese with handicapped.
Posted by: frank | April 25, 2008 at 01:06 PM
It is just not necessary for Mccourt to dedodgernizing our Dodgers. Everything was fine until he started stirring the organization and raising all prices, and favoring only the rich. First was the parking, then breaking the kids hearts by not letting them go get autographs from the players if their parents didn`t pay the price for the field level. If he wants the fans to stay longer before and after, just let us enjoy the game cheaper and simply have more time with the players. That`s the old ball game we love.
Posted by: Pandamom | April 26, 2008 at 12:58 AM
My husband is 76 and is a real fan, however cannot drive to the stadium anymore. Is there anyone in the Lakewood area who goes to the games, and wouldn't mind someone going with once in a while.
Sincerely,
Lakewood Dodger fan.
Posted by: nancy | August 15, 2008 at 10:33 AM