Stadium Design Unveiling

[Bob Hannah]

I found this link on another site. According to the information found, the stadium design will be unveiled tomorrow. No word if it will be made public, though I'm assuming it will be.

By afternoon tomorrow there will, hopefully, be links and pics on the forums here.

[efin98]

Nice. I've been waiting to see the official designs for a while and can't wait to see the "final" look of the park.

[1995hoo]

Four designs are available on washingtonpost.com. Hopefully we'll get to see more specific info at some point, but I can also understand, in this age of "security," why we won't likely see specific blueprints.

[Uncle Dak]

It's a beauty, very "monumental". Virtual tour link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2006/03/14/VI2006031401066.html

[Bob Hannah]

Hmmmm. This might have to grow on me.

Definitely not a retro park and very reminiscent of D.C. architecture. I like the viewing platforms and the glass gives an open feeling. The break in the stands on the river side of the park has a unique quality(SE perspective). But one comment I heard on the the evening news is striking: its like trying to dress up a ballpark in a business park.

[eddiejc1]

Hmmmm. This might have to grow on me.

Definitely not a retro park and very reminiscent of D.C. architecture. I like the viewing platforms and the glass gives an open feeling. The break in the stands on the river side of the park has a unique quality(SE perspective). But one comment I heard on the the evening news is striking: its like trying to dress up a ballpark in a business park.

It's going to have more amenites than RFK and it will keep the Nats in D.C. for 30 years, but this reminds me of what Shea Stadium must have looked like in 1964.

You know this reminds me of a story I once heard. The original plans for OPACY by HOK were a sterile baseball-only park. Larry Lucchino tore up those plans and insisted on adding the little touches that make going to Camden Yards such a special event. Years from now, will a future owner have to remodel this ballpark in the same way the Jerry Reinsdorf did for the Cell to make it more fan-friendly?

Eddie Cunningham

[Peorgie T]

Hmmmm. This might have to grow on me.

I think I like it, but it's hard to say from the drawings. It looks like it's going to be a steep drop from that upper tier.

I'm glad they got away from the retro look; OPACY was the first and the best. I imagine that there will be some changes as things progress. I saw a comment from the architect that they would really like the parking garage to be underground to open that space up for mixed use.

[Bob Hannah]

Eddie mentioned the "little touches" and thats a good point. If you've checked the thread in the Cards forum about the new St. Loius stadium you'll know what I mean.

Its unfair to be too committed to an opinion at this early stage in the game. So little is known right now.

I'm certain changes will come, probably nothing major like OPACY. As was said, the end product there was nothing like what was envisioned. There is probably too little money and too little time to change a whole lot here.

The main thing is, no matter what it does look like, there is the reality of a stadium in D.C.

[Bob Hannah]

Alleys, etc.

New Stadium
Right Field Foul Pole: 335 Feet
Right Field Power Ally: 370 Feet
Dead Center Field: 409 Feet
Left Field Power Ally: 377 Feet
Left Field Foul Pole: 332 Feet

RFK
Right Field Foul Pole: 335 Feet
Right Field Power Ally: 395 Feet
Dead Center Field: 407 Feet
Left Field Power Ally: 394 Feet
Left Field Foul Pole: 335 Feet

These distances in the alleys are more reasonable. A lot of shots won't end up dying a premature death on the warning track. I like that.

I think the distances of alleys in RFK currently are listed at three eighty. Those above came from another site source and I can't vouch for them.

[Tideman80]

Here is a great link with lots of now and future views...

That area really has no where to go but up!

http://www.jdland.com/dc/stadium.cfm

[runningshoes]

I really like what they did here.

[Elvis]

Looks like another typical modern HOK cookie-cutter. Where the originality? This was supposed to be an "iconic" design. It looks just like the new Yankee Stadium with a different shell...

[runningshoes]

I see similarities in shape but not the overall design.

They are both very different.

[Elvis]

I see similarities in shape but not the overall design.

They are both very different.

Yeah, just like Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and Riverfront Stadium were both very different.

Seriously, obviously there are some differences, but seeing every new ballpark having the same number and size of decks, the same shape grandstand, same number of seats, same contrived outfield dimensions, the same size and shape roof, the same "bowl-shaped" style, the same pushed back upper decks...

They're all waaaaaaay too similar. Where's the originality in design when they all have so much in common? HOK obviously can't or won't think outside the box and now today's ballparks are getting stale.

[efin98]

HOK obviously can't or won't think outside the box and now today's ballparks are getting stale.

It's not HOK that has the trouble thinking outside the box there

Odd, the park isn't even built and people are already insulting the design. I'm glad the locals are the ones whose opinions really matter.