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Birmingham residents: Thoughts on the new stadium proposed?
Posted on 10/8/15 at 10:47 am
Posted on 10/8/15 at 10:47 am
New open-air football stadium pitched for BJCC
I heard Gene Hallman talk about this last week. It'd be a 40-50K stadium next to the BJCC that would host UAB, Bham Bowl, Magic City Classic, Soccer, etc. Part of the bond issue would be a complete renovation of the BJCC which would make the arena a first class venue. The master plan would make the layout incorporate Uptown. Of course Legion Field would be torn down.
I think its a great idea. We don't need a Dome. We need a better arena and a better open air venue for football. I'm not a free UAB guy by any means, but I have no problem building a stadium they can use...as long as its used for many other events.
I heard Gene Hallman talk about this last week. It'd be a 40-50K stadium next to the BJCC that would host UAB, Bham Bowl, Magic City Classic, Soccer, etc. Part of the bond issue would be a complete renovation of the BJCC which would make the arena a first class venue. The master plan would make the layout incorporate Uptown. Of course Legion Field would be torn down.
I think its a great idea. We don't need a Dome. We need a better arena and a better open air venue for football. I'm not a free UAB guy by any means, but I have no problem building a stadium they can use...as long as its used for many other events.
This post was edited on 10/8/15 at 10:48 am
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Posted on 10/8/15 at 10:53 am to FairhopeTider
I'd rather see it built closer to UAB's campus, but understand why they'd put it at the BJCC complex.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 10:54 am to FairhopeTider
I like it. I think 45k is the perfect size too, and coupled with a renovated BJCC would be sweet.
Not a fan of placing in that particular location but it'll do
Now let's get Uber and get to work
Ditto
Not a fan of placing in that particular location but it'll do
Now let's get Uber and get to work
quote:
I'd rather see it built closer to UAB's campus, but understand why they'd put it at the BJCC complex
Ditto
This post was edited on 10/8/15 at 10:56 am
Posted on 10/8/15 at 11:02 am to fillmoregandt
If they'd just listened to me all those years ago when the dome talk started, we'd have a new stadium and renovated BJCC by now. I said all along a ~45,000 seat stadium and a renovated arena was all we needed.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 11:04 am to FairhopeTider
I have been critical of UAB football and always thought it was a waste of time and money...
....but whatever, Birmingham absolutely needs something to replace Legion Field as they have other events there and will help attract future events. It's good for the city. Might as well let UAB have their program back if it helps anchor the thing.
....but whatever, Birmingham absolutely needs something to replace Legion Field as they have other events there and will help attract future events. It's good for the city. Might as well let UAB have their program back if it helps anchor the thing.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 11:09 am to The Spleen
quote:
If they'd just listened to me all those years ago when the dome talk started, we'd have a new stadium and renovated BJCC by now. I said all along a ~45,000 seat stadium and a renovated arena was all we needed.
No doubt. The Dome was just a stupid idea. It didn't fulfill a true need. The plan was basically building a dome and then hoping "they" will come.
A new/completely renovated arena is a must IMO. No excuse why we shouldn't compete for the SEC Basketball Tourney or NCAA early round games.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 11:13 am to FairhopeTider
Let's keep the championship events in better cities. Birmingham kind of sucks compared with Nashville Atlanta and new Orleans
Posted on 10/8/15 at 11:39 am to FairhopeTider
I think you have put it in that area given the growth it has seen. You've already invested s good bit of time and money there. The new baseball field is proof people will come out if it's in a good spot and aren't afraid of the place crumbling under them.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 11:46 am to AA7
It'd be nice if they could get it built closer to Region's park, but it'd be nice to have.
They could have had a Dome at one time if they had built it off John Roger's drive where the Bham race course is. It would have been the perfect location.
It was still in Bham city limits, they have a 4 lane road access. On one end of that access, they have I-459 and 59 and Hwy 11. On the other end, they have I-20 and Hwy 78. Lots of land to develop a retail/hotel/entertainment around it. Could have gotten Trussville, Irondale, Leeds, St. Clair Cty and Jefferson Cty on board with tax breaks and development more than likely as well as it would have given them more incentive in the nearby areas to help develop it to bring in more tax revenue for them as well.
They could have had a Dome at one time if they had built it off John Roger's drive where the Bham race course is. It would have been the perfect location.
It was still in Bham city limits, they have a 4 lane road access. On one end of that access, they have I-459 and 59 and Hwy 11. On the other end, they have I-20 and Hwy 78. Lots of land to develop a retail/hotel/entertainment around it. Could have gotten Trussville, Irondale, Leeds, St. Clair Cty and Jefferson Cty on board with tax breaks and development more than likely as well as it would have given them more incentive in the nearby areas to help develop it to bring in more tax revenue for them as well.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 1:15 pm to FairhopeTider
The city already takes a nice chunk out of my check every month. Why not add to it?
Posted on 10/8/15 at 1:39 pm to Alahunter
quote:
They could have had a Dome at one time if they had built it off John Roger's drive where the Bham race course is. It would have been the perfect location.
It would have ended up another Hoover Met. Suburban stadiums have gone out of style.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:14 pm to The Spleen
Birmingham on it's own, makes horrible decisions. And growth is coming to NE Jefferson County, this would have expedited it. The tax revenue and growth surrounding cities would have benefitted from along with 2 counties also benefitting, would have made it a perfect location, especially with 3 Interstates to leading into and exiting from.
While Bham is getting some regrowth downtown.. most still don't care to travel downtown to do things. I go only when I'm forced to. Hell, I don't even go to gun shows downtown anymore. The City council is showing it's corruptness again and that will drive businesses away, again.
eta- in the end, now.. I agree, it wouldn't do. But if they had made the move 15 yrs ago, I think it would have panned out and NE Jefferson County would be way ahead of where it is now.
While Bham is getting some regrowth downtown.. most still don't care to travel downtown to do things. I go only when I'm forced to. Hell, I don't even go to gun shows downtown anymore. The City council is showing it's corruptness again and that will drive businesses away, again.
eta- in the end, now.. I agree, it wouldn't do. But if they had made the move 15 yrs ago, I think it would have panned out and NE Jefferson County would be way ahead of where it is now.
This post was edited on 10/8/15 at 2:17 pm
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:15 pm to The Spleen
quote:
I'd rather see it built closer to UAB's campus, but understand why they'd put it at the BJCC complex.
I have a kid at UAB now. It'd be nice to go to an on campus stadium and tailgate with her before and after a football game.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:26 pm to Alahunter
quote:
most still don't care to travel downtown to do things. I go only when I'm forced to.
I couldn't disagree more. Downtown Bham is a central location and has seen a huge influx of visitors since Regions Park opened. Restaurants, bars, lofts, etc. are popping up all over the city center. More people have been going to Barons games now since the move from Hoover. With all of the recent projects scheduled to go online, it is only going to bring in more and more people.
A dome out near the dog track would be, as stated, another Hoover met. Since there's no major league team to keep the traffic out there on a daily/regular basis, not many businesses would've followed it. It would be a white elephant in a sea of asphalt.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:29 pm to FairhopeTider
quote:
A dome out near the dog track would be, as stated, another Hoover met. Since there's no major league team to keep the traffic out there on a daily/regular basis, not many businesses would've followed it. It would be a white elephant in a sea of asphalt
Now, yes. Done 15 yrs ago, I'm not so sure. In any case, Bham has needed something smaller and away from W. Birmingham for a long time and anything on the Southside or around the BJCC would be an improvement.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:31 pm to Alahunter
quote:
I go only when I'm forced to.
I can tell, when you say this...
quote:
most still don't care to travel downtown to do things
I was at Railroad Park a couple of Sundays ago, and it was packed. Every Barons game I went to this summer was crowded, both on weekends and on weekday nights. I went to 2 events at the BJCC this summer and every restaurant in the Uptown district had a wait for a table.
Downtown area has seen quite a change over the past few years. It has become a destination point for many.
I still don't have much use for the city government, but hopefully as more young professionals move in, the government will change for the better.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:38 pm to FairhopeTider
quote:
. No excuse why we shouldn't compete for the SEC Basketball Tourney or NCAA early round games.
C-USA tourney this year was great. We do need the first and second round games back again though.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:41 pm to The Spleen
To say people don't like going downtown is simply incorrect. Some may not but it's become far more popular than previously. So much so that it's nearing the point that something needs to be done for transportation. Parking on a night the Barons are playing is a nightmare and Uptown parking consistently sucks.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:47 pm to AA7
Yeah, when I went to RR Park a couple of weeks ago, I had to drive around for a good 20 minutes before finally parking 4 or 5 blocks away. I had never see the park that crowded, and I didn't see any special event going on.
I do wonder how busy Uptown is when there's not something going on at the BJCC. Bottle & Bone is really the only place I'd go absent something at the BJCC.
I do wonder how busy Uptown is when there's not something going on at the BJCC. Bottle & Bone is really the only place I'd go absent something at the BJCC.
Posted on 10/8/15 at 2:50 pm to The Spleen
I typically only go if I'm in the area and want coffee. Since the stopped allowing parking under the interstate it's been bad. You can park on the road in places but they get sketchy quick.
Texas de Brazil is a fun experience. Pricy but fun. If you ever go you should starve yourself all day.
Texas de Brazil is a fun experience. Pricy but fun. If you ever go you should starve yourself all day.
This post was edited on 10/8/15 at 2:55 pm
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