".......for the design and construction of a new stadium"

[h2oville rocket]

That's excellent. Not as excellent as factman's idea for having the men and women's showers be a common facility, but excellent.

[BGSU33]

33- out of the ones you posted I think the WKU facility best fits our mold. If I remember correctly, the WKU facility was originally built in the 60s and recently went through the renovations and would be almost identical to the process we would need to complete. I like that it is two-tiered yet has a cozy feeling to it. Not only that , but it also appears to have a concourse with conecssion stands/bathrooms in sight of the playing field. The NTX and FAU facilities are great but I think they are on a bit of a larger scale than we need.

The WKU stadium almost seems TOO perfect- a renovation that includes a "home" (hate that designation as we aren't a HS stadium) side with suites with outdoor seating, a two-tiered "other" side with press box, and berm in the scoreboard endzone.

Check it out: http://wkuphoto.files.wordpress.com/201 ... g_4860.jpg

I haven't seen a game there but I have stopped to look at the stadium and you are right WKU has a really nice stadium. Also like the feel to Troy's stadium.

I have been to all of these stadium discussed as well and yes, WKU did a very nice job with their project. I actually like their seating on the opposite across from the more modern side in person. It has a smaller lower level and a full- sized upper deck level on that side (the other side has a smaller upper deck) and it really rises up and also curves around the field. it offers great sight lines and on the outside of the stadium on that side, it has a very nice ramp and brick facade. Troy's was very nice a well (also a renovation project). It sort of reminded me of a slightly older version of what Akron just built. Arkansas State had a decent facility too, but I like the others better.

[Dayons_Den]

Hopefully it is a complete rebuild and done well. We don't just want lipstick on a pig---- see the "refurbished" Dix Stadium, Kent.

[Falconfreak90]

Would love to see the same design but redo both sides at a steeper angle. Obviously, up to date press boxes would be great. And fix the concession areas and move them to the outer perimeter.

[Tricky_Falcon]

Invest in some handrails. Some of our older fans barely make it up the steps on game day.

[Falconfreak90]

Invest in some handrails. Some of our older fans barely make it up the steps on game day.

Excellent point.

[BGSU33]

Hopefully it is a complete rebuild and done well. We don't just want lipstick on a pig---- see the "refurbished" Dix Stadium, Kent.

Exactly. I would say their improvements helped some. I do think the south endzone upgrades were nice. But that is it. The roof over the press box seems like a waste of money and the east side "grandstand" is like a high school seating section. I was shocked they didn't redo that seating section during that project.

[MarkL]

Invest in some handrails. Some of our older fans barely make it up the steps on game day.

That is exactly why folks across the spectrum need to voice their opinions on this. That is a detail that I personally would have forgotten but thousands of Falcon fans think about when getting g to their seats.

[pdt1081]

Concerning the crumbing concrete and maintenance.

Its hard to "maintain" concrete. You don't paint it like wood or steel. You can't clean it and retuck it like brick. Water penetrates it and eventually the natural freeze/thaw cycle does its damage. No one has x-ray vision - except for Superman and Flipper - so we can't keep abreast of the condition of the steel rebar within the concrete. The rebar will eventually rust - the rust makes the bar expand - which in turn puts internal pressure on the concrete. The next thing you know there's chunks of concrete falling off the building.

You can seal the concrete, but that requires periodic reapplication just like paint. However, you can't visually determine when the sealer has lost its usefulness. You can repair concrete, but its not easy or inexpensive. Think of a concrete bridge. However, concrete will get to an age that it basically needs to be replaced - unless its protected or designed against environmental impact.

Think about the sidewalks and driveways at your own home. Then think about a 40-50 year old concrete stadium located in NW Ohio that is exposed to the elements 24/7.

I wouldn't lay too much blame at the feet of the University for the condition of the Doyt. She's a tired old lady whose been sleeping outside for over 40 years. She's bound to have some issues.

Couple things.

The concrete retaining walls we just finished along 475 are sealed/painted, as are the bridges. It can be made to last a very long time. It just takes careful consideration of the mix, and proper PREVENTATIVE maintenance.

As for doing only one side at a time, only thing that does is spread the cost over two years. The end of November to end of August timetable is long enough to demo/rebuild, barring extreme weather conditions. Only difference it will make the contractor is how many employees they hire.

Lastly, you will be responding to the RFQ, right?

[Tech83]

Painting the bridge makes sense..... not sure we want to paint the Doyt. Don't know why they would have you paint the retaining wall. That makes no sense.

As for doing only one side at a time, only thing that does is spread the cost over two years. The end of November to end of August timetable is long enough to demo/rebuild, barring extreme weather conditions. Only difference it will make the contractor is how many employees they hire.

Agreed - the questions might be 1) whether they want to risk not getting done within a 9 month schedule. 2) whether there would be a firm large enough to tackle this size of a project with an accelerated schedule. You'd be limiting your bidders or you'd have to hope that a couple of firms might do it as a joint venture. 3) The two year schedule could allow the stadium to be built as funds come available. Much like major highway project.

Lastly, you will be responding to the RFQ, right?

No - too large of a project for me. I've renovated a couple of sports facilities (Hobart Arena being the best known. I took over after they fired the original architects. I get mentioned in all the print stuff..... but not on their website. Go Figure. ) I also do a lot of park work. I would be more suited for renovating the Ice Arena. But again, I don't have extensive "State" experience, mine is all local government. We're suppose to do an addition to a local venue - second sheet of ice and renovated amenities. I'm not holding my breath. Its a privately owned facility and once they learn the real costs, they might change their mind.

[Bubba Bo Bob Brain]

... if there is a public forum - say through the Falcon Club or Alumni Association - you NEED to go and express your opinion. Speaking as an Architect who has conducted these types of forums..... we really are looking for people to express their opinion and it gives us the fuel to push clients in the right direction. You'd be surprised how hard it is to get the public involved in public projects. ...

I do not know you and I mean no disrespect toward you when I say that you must be a gem among architects.

On this campus I don't know whether to credit the architects or designers for giving us (to mention a few) Olscamp Hall where when the snow and ice begin to melt it slides down the angled roof onto people using the south entrance; for giving us the ballroom in the student union where the big mushroom light fixtures put big mushroom shadows on the screen when the projection system is being used; and for giving us "The Stroh" where the rows are perpendicular and people in the upper corners have a great view of the profiles of the people on the other side of the corner, where people on the end get to turn their heads 180 degrees to see the stats board, and where unlocked entrance doors open and slam shut when the wind is blowing just so.

It would be great to be able to make practical suggestions and to believe that these suggestions were being considered.

[Schadenfreude]

Would love to see the same design but redo both sides at a steeper angle.

That's probably the biggest thing. Build taller.

There are other issues. For big crowds, it can be a bit tough to pass from underneath the stadium to the seating area. But taller seems the main thing to me. If everyone had chairbacks, that would be great, too.

A crazy idea I've always had is to grow a thick patch of corn off the south end zone. I mean *right* off the south end zone, too. If Schilz overthrows his man in the end zone, the receiver should be falling into a sea of corn.

Something like that would give us a real sense of place. It would be a bit like the hedges in Athenx, Ga., but totally our own thing.

(As opposed to a berm. Bowling Green is flat. A berm would lack authenticity).

Come to think of it, we could name the south end zone for Ryan Autullo.

[Tech83]

Would love to see the same design but redo both sides at a steeper angle.

That's probably the biggest thing. Build taller.

A steeper angle will place the spectator closer to the field and should give a more intimate feeling to the venue. I don't design large venues like this, but there are accessibility issues at hand and some patrons will feel that Steeper means cheap seats. Probably why the upper sections are typically steeper than the lower sections. Some people want to next to the field as to be part of the action, while others want to be up above the action to see the play develop. There is probably marketing studies on the matter as to determine the type and number of seats per venue.

Sight lines. Sight Lines. Sight lines. That really is the main issue with venue seating. Obviously some people take issue with this at the Stroh. I feel the same at Goggin Ice Arena. The solution is very easy.......don't buy a ticket where you don't like the view. When I've went to Fenway Park..... I don't buy seats behind the columns.

I am reminded of Frank Lloyd Wright's respond to Mr. Johnson when he called Wright to complain that his roof was leaking and his desk was getting wet - "Move your desk." So keeping with Mr. Wright..... use another door or install snow guards, turn the offending row of lights off or relocate the screen, and clearly, don't buy a ticket where you don't like the view.

[Falcon137]

I'm with everyone else, steeper stands would be great.

I would like to see a permanent structure for the Falcon club and a permanent team store in the south endzone. Put a statue of Doyt Perry down there and make it an entrance where you can go in through the team store or left or right to go to your seat.

Some permanent buildings on the south end closing in the stadium would make the Doyt really neat.

Wider aisle ways and more ramps to keep the congestion down between the lower and upper sections.

[Lord_Byron]

I'm thinking we should make some better use of our "Falcon" image from a historical perspective, and this might be time to introduce obelisks to the campus. We should go pure Egyptian on this. Something like this in the south end zone:



With a 75 foot tall statue of Doyt Perry, but rather than realistic, we go with falcon wings and a falcon head on it. Something like one of these, only with a business suit instead of the Egyptian garb.





We're thinking too small. We should hire a master builder and get some slaves and get this finished.

So let it be written, so let it be done.