Fins to announce Stadium Upgrades in a month

[MikeO]

"It will have a different approach to the canopy roof idea. It will close the 25-yard distance between the stands and the field. It will raise capacity closer to the field and lower it in the upper level. It will improve the lighting.The upgrade price is not known, Last time it was $250 million. Like last time, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross could pay $150 million or more for the upgrades. And funding for the remainder of the project will not raise taxes for residents, Dee said."

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/09/3133792/san-franciscos-field-of-dreams.html

[Dave Gray]

Having asked Ross about this specifically, he makes it sound something like:

- a canvas-type taut roof that covers the fans, but not the field.  ...similar to Dallas, but with a "covering" instead of a hard dome.

- re-pouring the concrete in the lower level and changing the grade to bring seats closer to the field.

- I have no idea what he's talking about in the upper deck, regarding lowering the capacity.  I think it'd be cool to move all the Club Liv type crap up there to the corner.  Tear out the seats and put all your gimmicky clubs and waterslide shit up there.

- Lighting, he mentioned.  Apparently that's a big deal, though it's not something I've noticed.

- Lots of little things in the guts of the stadium that is out of date, but the average fan won't see.  ...things that affect the way things are run more than aesthetics.

[MikeO]

The article states that they aren't going with the canopy that covers the fans and not the field and have a different approach this time around on the latest proposal.

If they are talking about lowering upper deck capacity and no canopy....that could mean making it a dome or adding a retractable roof.  That would remove some of the upper deck seating to add something like that.

[Phishfan]

The article states that they aren't going with the canopy that covers the fans and not the field and have a different approach this time around on the latest proposal.

You are partly right. Nowhere does it say they are not still considering a canopy, they just said it is a different approach. I don't see them going with any retractable roof. I dare say the amount of money needed for that upgrade would not pass. I expect something similar to the last idea but more appealing.

[Brian Fein]

I thought the MetLife stadium canopy over the fans was great.  They blocked the sun but didn't cover the field.  That's all they really need - a shade-producer, not a rain blocker.

[CF DolFan]

The biggest problem is that Dolphin stadium is a generic stadium and it opened in 1987. It's trying to compete with new stadiums and that's like saying a 60 year old man looks good because he is wearing a toupee. Even the Buc's stadium, which was built specifically for the football team, is getting upgrades and it opened in 1998.

Orlando has renovated the Citrus bowl so many times I have lost count and it still sucks compared to any of the new stadiums in almost every way.  I think the Dolphins upgrading the stadium is a very short lived band-aid. 

[badger6]

The biggest problem is that Dolphin stadium is a generic stadium and it opened in 1987. It's trying to compete with new stadiums and that's like saying a 60 year old man looks good because he is wearing a toupee. Even the Buc's stadium, which was built specifically for the football team, is getting upgrades and it opened in 1998.

Orlando has renovated the Citrus bowl so many times I have lost count and it still sucks compared to any of the new stadiums in almost every way.  I think the Dolphins upgrading the stadium is a very short lived band-aid. 

Shit after 25 years they should just build a new one. But then again, if you can't win games, you can't afford it. I guess..

[Brian Fein]

What is the useful life span of a stadium?  Its a building.  If you lived in a house for 25 years, would you bulldoze it and build a new one? 

Seems like a stadium should last more than 25 years.  Ask the Cubs, Red Sox, and Packers.

[badger6]

What is the useful life span of a stadium?  Its a building.  If you lived in a house for 25 years, would you bulldoze it and build a new one? 

Seems like a stadium should last more than 25 years.  Ask the Cubs, Red Sox, and Packers.

I guess instead of a house. I was more thinking in business terms. Do most people live the same house for 25 years. Most people I know don't. They either move to a nicer one or build one. If the stadium is outdated compared to other stadiums and can't compete for the same business. Then in my opinion, it might be time to rebuild. Maybe not, just a thought....

[MikeO]

The Marlins killed any chance of the Fins getting a new stadium in the next 10 or so years

[CF DolFan]

What is the useful life span of a stadium?  Its a building.  If you lived in a house for 25 years, would you bulldoze it and build a new one? 

Seems like a stadium should last more than 25 years.  Ask the Cubs, Red Sox, and Packers.

Those are great venues to compare to as they were built for their respective sport and offer a more intimate experience. As it is, Dolphin stadium was built to house many different types of events and if someone woke up there,  they probably wouldn't know where they were if the field wasn't painted. Then again ... it doesn't even say Dolphins any longer so you would just know you were in Miami. I have always hated how the stadium has never felt like it was the Dolphins home. It feels like a rental. I've never had that feeling in Tampa since they built the new stadium. Even at other events there you will never mistake where you are. The same can't be said for our stadium. 

I don't know how they bring the seats closer but that is a good start. I have a feeling it's something they won't quite be able to do. Kind of like sideline seats. Cool idea but in reality they were really bad views.

[MikeO]

The one thing I know Mike Dee will do right is fix the stadium. He was around when the Red Sox made Fenway more fan friendly and updated things. I have full confidence he will improve Sun Life.

[Dave Gray]

Things change everyday, but Mike Dee was pretty adamant about not covering the field.  He said it was important to make sure that the players were in the elements, but that the fans weren't.

He may have bailed on the canvas idea, but I doubt we'll see a retractable dome.  It doesn't do the job.  A partial dome, I'd understand.

The Marlins dome we have is kinda dumb.  It's beautiful and works great, but they don't open it up enough.  It's temp controlled, rather than element controlled.  On a nice summer night, it should be open.

[MikeO]

Ross is willing to put up $150 mill of his own money, so he will cover the bulk of the expsense. Will be interseting though to see if they can get the South Florida area to put up around $100 mill though. After just getting lied to by the Marlins and ripped off there.