49ers Unveil New Stadium Design

[nebs]

http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_198172918.html

(CBS 5) SAN FRANCISCO The San Francisco 49ers today unveiled design plans showing the interior of a new 68,000 seat stadium at Candlestick Point.

The stadium would replace 46-year-old Monster Park, formerly Candlestick Park. The team said its goal is to have the new stadium constructed in time for the 2012 season.

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The team and HNTB Architecture Inc., are planning an open-air venue with plazas that are open to the public year-round. One of the distinctive elements would be an open corridor at the north end of the stadium that would allow for a view of the San Francisco skyline and Bay.

The 49ers also announced that the new stadium will be expandable to host premiere events such as the Super Bowl or Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom last week said a pitch for the city to host the 2016 Summer Olympics would include a new 49ers stadium at Candlestick Point. In the late 1990's the NFL had offered the Super Bowl to San Francisco when voters approved a $100 million bond package to help pay for a new stadium. The offer was withdrawn after the stadium plan got bogged down in red tape.

The team has agreed in concept to help finance a new stadium and the league has up to $50 million in loans available to the 49ers from its new stadium construction program. Team owner John York says the 49ers plan to finance the new venue without relying on the $100 million in revenue bonds approved by San Francisco voters in 1997. The cost of a new stadium is estimated to run between $600 million and $800 million.

As part of the stadium plan, the team hope to build a retail, entertainment and mixed-use development at Candlestick Point in the empty lots adjacent to Monster Park.

Opened in 1960 as the home of the San Francisco Giants, the stadium affectionately known as "The Stick" was converted to a dual-purpose stadium in 1971 to make room for the 49ers, who had left decrepit Kezar Stadium. At the end of the 1999 baseball season, the Giants left and moved into their new downtown ballpark.

By then Candletick Park had changed its name to 3Com Park after the computer networking company bought the naming rights. In September 2004, the stadium was renamed Monster Park after Monster Cable Products Inc. purchased naming rights for four years. Monster Park is now widely regarded as the one of the worst, if not the worst facility in the NFL.

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[BigWaxer]

Very cool stadium and the view of "the city"

All private financing, est 600-800mil. For York and co this is pretty impressive if it gets done.

 

[Fillmoe]

cheap old york payin for that?

that has to make sacramento and the maloofs look bad

 

[PixelPusher]

The fact that a scrooge like John York would be willing to pay for a new stadium goes to show just how lucrative and valueable NFL franchises have become...the NBA is a long way away from that kind of popularity.

 

[VF21]

Do not go nominating Dr. York for sainthood quite yet. It doesn't say anything about the 49ers or York paying for the stadium. It says it will be financed by private funding.

BIG DIFFERENCE.

I suspect York already has plans for a Super Bowl bid, and I know San Francisco has been trying to get an Olympics bid. Having a facility in place would make it much more attractive to the Olympics committee and the Bay Area - Stanford - has hosted a Super Bowl before so that's not unlikely either. It also looks like it could be adapted to World Cup Soccer...

There is a lot of money to be made from those types of events, and who knows what else could be on the agenda.

As part of the stadium plan, the team hope to build a retail, entertainment and mixed-use development at Candlestick Point in the empty lots adjacent to Monster Park.

Do not trust John York.

 

[StevenHW]

So, if this plan goes through, will the new stadium be exactly on the same spot where the present Candlesti --- whoops, I mean, Monster Park --- happens to be, or right next to it?

And where would the 49ers play their home games while it's under construction? I'm sure a stadium of that size will take more than a year to build. Stanford Stadium?

 

[Packt]

I wonder if a new sac arena can be looped into an Olympics bid? That would be soooo awesome.

 

[VF21]

So, if this plan goes through, will the new stadium be exactly on the same spot where the present Candlesti --- whoops, I mean, Monster Park --- happens to be, or right next to it?

And where would the 49ers play their home games while it's under construction? I'm sure a stadium of that size will take more than a year to build. Stanford Stadium?

This all gets rather interesting because that's all reclaimed land they're talking about...

If they had to, they could play at Stanford. Or they could even share Oakland's arena by some innovative scheduling.

I haven't been to the stick in years, so I don't know how much undeveloped land there is around it. It sounds like they're planning on replacing the current facility.

 

[VF21]

I wonder if a new sac arena can be looped into an Olympics bid? That would be soooo awesome.

That's actually not that far-fetched of an idea.

Sacramento has already shown itself to be capable of supporting Olympic trials, etc. A new arena just might be perfect for showcasing the basketball events.

 

[D-Mass]

I haven't been to the stick in years, so I don't know how much undeveloped land there is around it.

About this much...

Google Earth is AWESOME...

 

[VF21]

Problem with Google Earth is that it's not dial-up friendly. Thanks for the view.

 

[D-Mass]

Seems to me the Niners would have to relocate. IIRC, seepage from the ocean has always been a problem at the stick...the only place to build next to Monster Park is CLOSER to the water. It seems to me the seepage problem would only be worse.

 

[Amanjoy]

Seems to me the Niners would have to relocate. IIRC, seepage from the ocean has always been a problem at the stick...the only place to build next to Monster Park is CLOSER to the water. It seems to me the seepage problem would only be worse.

If leakage has always been a problem at the Stick, wouldn't it be a problem at AT&T Park as well? That's closer to the water than the Stick.

 

[D-Mass]

If leakage has always been a problem at the Stick, wouldn't it be a problem at AT&T Park as well? That's closer to the water than the Stick.

I'm no geologist, but I would think that seepage is more a function of how porous the rock underneath the stadium is. The ground underneath AT&T may be significantly different.

It could also be that when the Stick was built, engineers didn't properly account for that. AT&T is much newer, and lessons may have been learned from building so close to the water at Candlestick Point.

 

[Ryan]

Google Earth is AWESOME...

They need to update though. The picture is about 4 years old.

 

[D-Mass]

They need to update though. The picture is about 4 years old.

that's true.

 

[uolj]

It sounds like they didn't make too many changes from the plan DeBartolo had several years ago to build the new stadium and shopping area at Candlestick point, although I think it was only supposed to be about $600 million then.

 

[TheRaven]

So, if this plan goes through, will the new stadium be exactly on the same spot where the present Candlesti --- whoops, I mean, Monster Park --- happens to be, or right next to it?

And where would the 49ers play their home games while it's under construction? I'm sure a stadium of that size will take more than a year to build. Stanford Stadium?

The plan calls for the stadium to be built next to the 'stick, likely taking out part of the parking lot there. Thus, the Niners would be able to continue to play in their current stadium until the new one is completed. Then the 'stick would probably be imploded and hauled off to make room for more parking for the new stadium or development.

 

[Amanjoy]

The plan calls for the stadium to be built next to the 'stick, likely taking out part of the parking lot there. Thus, the Niners would be able to continue to play in their current stadium until the new one is completed. Then the 'stick would probably be imploded and hauled off to make room for more parking for the new stadium or development.

If they implode the Stick and build a new stadium, they should leave a part of the site open for a monument to stand where the stadium once stood. That way the historic stadium can be remembered properly. I mean, think of all the historic events that have occurred there...

1. The Beatles last live American peroformance
2. "The Catch"
3. Jerry Rice breaking the all-time touchdown record both for career and receiving.
4. The 1989 Earthquake that delayed the World Series
5. Brian Johnson's dramatic 15th inning home run off Mark Guthrie to tie the Giants with the Dodgers in that epic 1997 NL West Divisional Race.
6. Steve Young finally getting the monkey off his back and beating the Cowboys in the 1995 NFC Title Game
7. Terrell Owens' dramatic last-second catch to beat the Packers in 1998. (Unfortunately that was the beginning of the T.O. we know today)
8. T.O. breaking the record with 20 receptions in a game.
9. Barry Bonds hitting a home run in his first at-bat at the Stick as a member of the Giants.


And the list goes on....those are just some of the events that are the most publicized or that have occurred in my short lifetime. Plus, I have some amazing memories of my own from going to that stadium throuout the years.

Some of my most vivid Candlestick memories:

1. Seeing Rod Beck strike out Greg Vaughn to clinch the division for the '97 Giants.
2. Sitting behind the endzone as the Niners made a game-saving, 7-down goal-line stand against McNabb and the Eagles in 2002.
3. Watching Barry Bonds hit a homer directly above me into the upper deck against the A's in 1997 in the first matchup between the teams since the '89 World Series.
4. One of McGwire's 70 home runs he hit in '98. This one came off Shawn Estes.
5. Playing catch with Pudge Rodriguez from the stands during warm-ups of an interleague matchup between the Giants and Rangers in '97.

And my lsit could go on forever too, but I won't bore you guys! I think the point has been made that that stadium means a lot to me, and to see it go down without so much as a memorial would be tough to swallow!

I suggest a small monument kind of like Monument Park at Yankee Stadium or something. Something to mark where the 50-yard line once was or the spot where Clark made "The Catch" or where Home plate in the baseball configuration once sat, etc. Add some full-size pictures and other pices of memorabilia, and you've got a sweet attraction for the younger generations of Niner and even Giants fans to appreciate.

 

[LilMissDiva]

If they implode the Stick and build a new stadium, they should leave a part of the site open for a monument to stand where the stadium once stood. That way the historic stadium can be remembered properly. I mean, think of all the historic events that have occurred there...

1. The Beatles last live American peroformance
2. "The Catch"
3. Jerry Rice breaking the all-time touchdown record both for career and receiving.
4. The 1989 Earthquake that delayed the World Series
5. Brian Johnson's dramatic 15th inning home run off Mark Guthrie to tie the Giants with the Dodgers in that epic 1997 NL West Divisional Race.
6. Steve Young finally getting the monkey off his back and beating the Cowboys in the 1995 NFC Title Game
7. Terrell Owens' dramatic last-second catch to beat the Packers in 1998. (Unfortunately that was the beginning of the T.O. we know today)
8. T.O. breaking the record with 20 receptions in a game.
9. Barry Bonds hitting a home run in his first at-bat at the Stick as a member of the Giants.


And the list goes on....those are just some of the events that are the most publicized or that have occurred in my short lifetime. Plus, I have some amazing memories of my own from going to that stadium throuout the years.

Some of my most vivid Candlestick memories:

1. Seeing Rod Beck strike out Greg Vaughn to clinch the division for the '97 Giants.
2. Sitting behind the endzone as the Niners made a game-saving, 7-down goal-line stand against McNabb and the Eagles in 2002.
3. Watching Barry Bonds hit a homer directly above me into the upper deck against the A's in 1997 in the first matchup between the teams since the '89 World Series.
4. One of McGwire's 70 home runs he hit in '98. This one came off Shawn Estes.
5. Playing catch with Pudge Rodriguez from the stands during warm-ups of an interleague matchup between the Giants and Rangers in '97.

And my lsit could go on forever too, but I won't bore you guys! I think the point has been made that that stadium means a lot to me, and to see it go down without so much as a memorial would be tough to swallow!

I suggest a small monument kind of like Monument Park at Yankee Stadium or something. Something to mark where the 50-yard line once was or the spot where Clark made "The Catch" or where Home plate in the baseball configuration once sat, etc. Add some full-size pictures and other pices of memorabilia, and you've got a sweet attraction for the younger generations of Niner and even Giants fans to appreciate.

Well said! There certainly is some history there.

 

[nebs]

1. Seeing Rod Beck strike out Greg Vaughn to clinch the division for the '97 Giants.

I was there for that too. Bonds went up on the top of the dugout after that. The halls leading back to the parking lot were on fire.

I also went to the game a day or two after that, not sure, I think it was the LAST game of the regular season. Had tickets behind home plate and saw Derek Lee's (Sacramento kid) first MLB HR.

Also, a few games earlier than that, the Giants hosted the Dodgers and I was at that game. The game where Bonds did a 360 out of the batters box after he launched a HR shot. Giants won 2-1 and Woody got the win.

So yeah, I agree with making a Stick Spot.

 

[kennadog]

I'm sure the development they want the city to approve as part of the deal will bring in enough money to the Yorks to pay a big chuck of the price tag, if they want to spend it that way.

 

[slugking50]

I was there for that too. Bonds went up on the top of the dugout after that. The halls leading back to the parking lot were on fire.

I also went to the game a day or two after that, not sure, I think it was the LAST game of the regular season. Had tickets behind home plate and saw Derek Lee's (Sacramento kid) first MLB HR.

Also, a few games earlier than that, the Giants hosted the Dodgers and I was at that game. The game where Bonds did a 360 out of the batters box after he launched a HR shot. Giants won 2-1 and Woody got the win.

So yeah, I agree with making a Stick Spot.

Greg Vaughn is also a Sacramento kid.

 

[Amanjoy]

I was there for that too. Bonds went up on the top of the dugout after that. The halls leading back to the parking lot were on fire.

I also went to the game a day or two after that, not sure, I think it was the LAST game of the regular season. Had tickets behind home plate and saw Derek Lee's (Sacramento kid) first MLB HR.

Also, a few games earlier than that, the Giants hosted the Dodgers and I was at that game. The game where Bonds did a 360 out of the batters box after he launched a HR shot. Giants won 2-1 and Woody got the win.

So yeah, I agree with making a Stick Spot.

Those were some good times! Especially after that clincher game! What a scene! I remember a guy jumpin on a closed dumpster outside the stadium and screaming the infamous call, "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!" (Although it was only the division...it felt like it was the World Series!)

 

[Gary]

That's actually not that far-fetched of an idea.

Sacramento has already shown itself to be capable of supporting Olympic trials, etc. A new arena just might be perfect for showcasing the basketball events.

I will take this a bit further, if we got an arena downtown, I am sure a few 4 star hotels (is the best 4 or 5 star?) downtown as well. That is the only thing we are lacking for an all-star game.

 

[Amanjoy]

When I say memorial...I think Atlanta set the tone for San Fran to follow if the Stick comes down! I can't insert the image for whatever reason because my computer won't let me. But, if you look at the image of Turner Field on Google Earth, then you'll see an outline drawn in the parking lot where the old Fulton County Stadium once stood. Something like that with a few memorials, etc. would be good for the Stick I think just to remember it by.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Greg Vaughn is also a Sacramento kid.

Yup, Kennedy High. And I too agree with making a 'Stick' spot. So many memories...one that pops out in my head, at least that I was there in person to see was back in 1987, when I saw Matt Williams(as a rookie) hit a grand slam off of Nolan Ryan.

 

[VF21]

I want a statue of Dwight Clark, making "the catch."

Bleep the baseball stuff.

 

[BigWaxer]

I want a statue of Dwight Clark, making "the catch."

HAHA I don't think I would like that statue much

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I want a statue of Dwight Clark, making "the catch."

Bleep the baseball stuff.

Hell, I'm DEFINETELY with you on that one VF...I'm not even a Giants fan, anyways. Yeah, I'd want one of Dwight making 'the catch', and of T.O. making the 'other catch' against the Packers in 98', and looking towards the sky in tears. I dont care what anyone says, I'll always love T.O. for that one moment, as a life-long Niners fan. That was by far one of the greatest moments in the history of Candlestick.