Citifield -- Official Thread

[unsung]

Courtesy of stadiumpage.com

[John F]

I wonder how construction will impact games this year (for those attending at Shea)? Also, I wish to high hell that they had some originality in the INSIDE of the stadium. It's going to be an HOK Sports generic design.

[John F]

Though Unsung's construction photo gives you a general idea where the stadium is (the footprint)



Also, here are a few stadium stats:

[John F]

This has probably already been asked somewhere or posted somewhere but I am curious -- are they going to import the Big Apple in Left/Center from Shea to CitiField?

[unsung]

I'm not sure, I think they should have some version of it at least.

[Captain Fear]

NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a plan Tuesday to turn 60 acres of junkyards and auto-parts shops next to the construction site of the New York Mets' new ballpark into a neighborhood of homes, shops, offices and entertainment.

"We believe that out of these ashes can rise New York City's next great neighborhood, a dynamic center of life, energy and economic activity and a model for sustainability and environmental stewardship," Bloomberg said. "After a century of blight and neglect, the future of this area is very bright indeed."

The master plan for the area known as Willets Point, or the Iron Triangle, includes a school, a 700-room hotel and a 400,000-square-foot convention center. Over the next decade the plan would replace 225 auto shops and 25 industrial and manufacturing businesses with 5,500 housing units, 1.7 million square feet of retail and entertainment and 500,000 square feet of office space.

The new ballpark, Citi Field, is to open in 2009, adjacent to Shea Stadium.

-ESPN

Well at least houses and offices will look better when driving up that what a junkyard would. Still don't expect it to affect how they play...Anyone know if it's more of a pitchers' park or more of a hitters' park?

[Blader]

Originally Posted by Captain Fear

Well at least houses and offices will look better when driving up that what a junkyard would. Still don't expect it to affect how they play...Anyone know if it's more of a pitchers' park or more of a hitters' park?

Presumably they are mirroring the dimensions of Ebbets Field....cutting back on seat capacity (48.000)to where the highest seat away from the field will be equal to the few front rows of the present Shea Upper Deck, making it a closer to the field view for the fans. The wind currents are not configured yet but overall I'd estimate a hitters park as compared to the present settup.

[John F]

Willets Point being redeveloped is long overdue. The area is just junk yards and auto shops and what not right now and with it's proximity to both Citifield, Shea Stadium of current, the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center and the Worlds Fair site, you'd have thought the city would have already tried to improve the area.

I mean, lets be honest -- being under one of Laguardia's landing patterns isn't going to make Willets point the it destination of the NY metro area but at the same time -- you'd expect a little more in the area in regards to hotels and entertainment options to help influence fans to spend more time and money near the ballpark(s)

Just to give you an idea what you'd be "losing" in the area:



And here's a rendering of the Willets Point redevelopment:

[John F]

Some current photos from Stadiumspage.com:







Being someone who follows construction and has followed stadium construction in various sports the last decade, I'm surprised the concrete risers for the stands are already in place in those photos. usually they frame out the main building (interior concourses and such) and then move on to the risers...

[unsung]

Thanks for posting the new pics, looks good.

[metfan122164]

Originally Posted by John F

I wonder how construction will impact games this year (for those attending at Shea)? Also, I wish to high hell that they had some originality in the INSIDE of the stadium. It's going to be an HOK Sports generic design.

It is creating havoc, John, and anyone who has seen any games this year can attest; the patterns at shea have never been easy (Willie Mays once said it was the toughest CF he's every played; big words for a CF who spent half of his career in Candlestick). The circular winds should become even more adventurous the more the new park is completed.

[metfan122164]

Originally Posted by John F

Willets Point being redeveloped is long overdue. The area is just junk yards and auto shops and what not right now and with it's proximity to both Citifield, Shea Stadium of current, the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center and the Worlds Fair site, you'd have thought the city would have already tried to improve the area.

I mean, lets be honest -- being under one of Laguardia's landing patterns isn't going to make Willets point the it destination of the NY metro area but at the same time -- you'd expect a little more in the area in regards to hotels and entertainment options to help influence fans to spend more time and money near the ballpark(s)

Just to give you an idea what you'd be "losing" in the area:



And here's a rendering of the Willets Point redevelopment:

I think one of the funniest parts of this new park is the fact that it is actually closer to the landing/takeoff pattern for LaGuardia than is Shea! Who have thought that it was even possible!

[metfan122164]

Originally Posted by metfan122164

It is creating havoc, John, and anyone who has seen any games this year can attest; the patterns at shea have never been easy (Willie Mays once said it was the toughest CF he's every played; big words for a CF who spent half of his career in Candlestick). The circular winds should become even more adventurous the more the new park is completed.

Another point, John. the new park will have some unique features; the 2nd level of the RF stands will hang on to the playing field by about 10-15 ft (Ebbetts and the Polo Grounds had similar features). Also, speaking of winds, the new park (HP to CF) is almost perfectly perpendicular to that at Shea. Given Shea's winds typically blow LF-RF or RF-LF, this park should play more like Wrigley than any of the other HOK's. The styling and points throughout the park are qunitessential NY; fromt he gothic style parches on the light stands, to the hell's gate brisge inspired walkway in Right Center. This park will be anything but generic; especially in comparson to Shea.

[metfan122164]

Originally Posted by Blader

Presumably they are mirroring the dimensions of Ebbets Field....cutting back on seat capacity (48.000)to where the highest seat away from the field will be equal to the few front rows of the present Shea Upper Deck, making it a closer to the field view for the fans. The wind currents are not configured yet but overall I'd estimate a hitters park as compared to the present settup.

The Wilpons did no wind tests on the new plan' opting to just see how it plays. I mentioned in an earlier post that I think it will play like wrigley, but (by dimensions alone) this park will be no hitter's haven; 408 to dead center, 371 (same as Shea) to left-center; 391, yes 391 ro right center - although the overhanging stands can bring that back about 10-15 ft, depending on how much height the fly ball has, Ebbetts Field inspired, but the dimensions (391 not withstanding) are very similar to Shea's.

[metfan122164]

Originally Posted by John F

This has probably already been asked somewhere or posted somewhere but I am curious -- are they going to import the Big Apple in Left/Center from Shea to CitiField?

If there is a God they won't! That damn apple looks like it was hammered into shape by the inmates at Riker's Island. I've always found it a little tacky.