411 replies to this topic

[yadkinv]

This is really great, and it can't start soon enough for me, especially with the expanded project, and at least the hint of maybe the restoration of the 14 story tower.  Not to put a neagtive to it, but one wonders why only a capacity of 5,500.  Just for comparison (no other reason), Horizon in Greensboro seats 7,499.  One would think that Mr. Prim would want a stadium that could be upgraded to AA or hey even AAA.  Maybe, it will be designed to be expandable?

[cityboi]

yadkinv, on Nov 10 2006, 04:54 PM, said:

This is really great, and it can't start soon enough for me, especially with the expanded project, and at least the hint of maybe the restoration of the 14 story tower.  Not to put a neagtive to it, but one wonders why only a capacity of 5,500.  Just for comparison (no other reason), Horizon in Greensboro seats 7,499.  One would think that Mr. Prim would want a stadium that could be upgraded to AA or hey even AAA.  Maybe, it will be designed to be expandable?

I think one reason could be the fact the attendance in Greensboro has just about been always higher than the warthogs. However a new downtown stadium would cause atendance to shoot up like it did in Greensboro. First Horizon Park is designed to expand to AAA so im guessing Winston's park may likely be expandable too. Anyways this is great for the downtown area. The only thing is I wish the stadium would be built closer to the core of downtown near the towers.

Edited by cityboi, 13 November 2006 - 07:19 AM.

[partial]

cityboi, on Nov 13 2006, 08:18 AM, said:

The only thing is I wish the stadium would be built closer to the core of downtown near the towers.

Why the desire the build this closer to the core of downtown? Wouldn't that require destroying a number of historic buildings on the north or east side which are ripe for redevelopment? Or, alternatively, take land from the PTRP? The PTRP site doesn't seem well suited for the development of nightlife...

The location that was selected for the ballpark should encourage development of the fourth street corridor (from the Nissen Building to the 4th and Broad Condos) and Broad Street.

[TriadDoug]

Warthogs, city agree on terms for downtown stadium; venture to cost $170 million

The city and the owners of the Winston-Salem Warthogs have agreed upon the terms of a $170 million joint venture to build a new stadium and office-retail-residential complex on the western edge of downtown.

The project, three years in the making, includes a $22.6 million, 5,500-seat stadium for the Warthogs that could be open in time for the 2008 season if things worked right with construction.

The partnership between the city and Sports Menagerie, the entity that owns the Warthogs and which has Billy Prim and Andrew "Flip" Filipowski as its principal partners, calls for the city to spend $11 million and Sports Menagerie $11.6 million to build the stadium.

The city intends to finance its share of the $11 million but not have to use existing tax dollars. It said it would pay its share of the $1 million annual finance payments from several sources, including: annual payments by Wake Forest University, which will buy Ernie Shore Field; $350,000 in annual surcharges on tickets, a figure guaranteed by Sports Menagerie regardless of Warthogs attendance; additional tax payments on the 9-acre stadium site; and money from the city's economic development fund.

Likewise, Sports Menagerie is using a variety of finances, including private financing, federal grants, a loan from the non-profit Millennium Fund and other means to pay its share of the stadium.

The city and developers said the project would help boost the city's economy and revitalize the western edge of Winston-Salem's downtown, where nearby, the West End Village condominium complex already is under way.

A downtown stadium in Greensboro that opened in 2005 has more than doubled average attendance at games for its minor league team and helped boost downtown revitalization efforts.

[suburban george3]

I am so excited that I can't find words to express my elation over this project moving forward!!!!

[TheDash]

When will work start?

[twincity]

this is going to be HUGE for Winston!!!! cant wait to see ground break and we still may get a 2008 completion date for the park.  i imagine something this size will be built in phases?

im also excited to hear that Ernie Shore Field will not go to waste.  maybe this will strengthen ties between deacon boulevard and the Reynolda campus.

Edited by twincity, 07 December 2006 - 05:16 PM.

[TheDash]

dang!! the renderings look nice cant wait to see how this turns out

[twincity]

better rendering

[suburban george3]

Reading more about this project has just got me all giddy!!!      The rendering looks fabulous, it looks like a bustling midtown type area right next to the ball park.  This should lead to some great restaurant and club opportunities.  Not to mention the live/work aspect they want to build in and the pedestrian feel of most of it (even though *sigh* there will be multiple parking areas.)  

I can't wait for the '08 season for the Warthogs to begin!!

[yadkinv]

Fantastic!!!  I hope the 5,500 capcity will be expandable.  There are no negatives to this, but the "four story buildings" adjacent should revert hopefully back to the 12 story one building originally discussed.

[ncbrian]

yadkinv, on Dec 8 2006, 10:14 AM, said:

Fantastic!!!  I hope the 5,500 capcity will be expandable.  There are no negatives to this, but the "four story buildings" adjacent should revert hopefully back to the 12 story one building originally discussed.

Why go to a 12 story building? I do not see any particular advantages in it especially in that part of the city as it will be the only tower in the neighbourhood. The four story buildings promote infill development and in this sort of development gives you far more street level retail space which will be essential for developing an entertainment complex of bars and restaurants around the ballpark. What would be preferable, walking past a frontage of 100 ft for a tower along with the parking lots surrounding it or perhaps 500-600ft of various retail shops, bars and so forth with parking tuck away behind?

[otherstream]

ncbrian, on Dec 8 2006, 12:17 PM, said:

What would be preferable, walking past a frontage of 100 ft for a tower along with the parking lots surrounding it or perhaps 500-600ft of various retail shops, bars and so forth with parking tuck away behind?

Agreed. I think a bunch of smaller buildings is vastly superior, particularly if they're distinctly separate buildings and aren't all exactly the same style and scale.

[cityboi]

Great News for Winston-Salem! I love how the residential, retail and office is combined with the plan.

[cityboi]

aerial that puts things in perspective. a couple of streets will have to be closed to make way for the stadium.

Edited by cityboi, 13 December 2006 - 12:20 PM.

[suburban george3]

Similar pic to above, but with plans overlaid on the photograph.

[intcvlcphlga]

suburban george3, on Dec 14 2006, 06:34 AM, said:

Similar pic to above, but with plans overlaid on the photograph.

The overlay seems to show that the 2 gas stations on Broad and 1st will remain.  Those two should be bought out / shut down as there is a crime problem at both of them.

[AnEverydayJo]

one thing is for certain, the ridiculous off-ramp onto Peters Creek Parkway traveling from WFUBMC will be upgraded. I almost get an accident each time I use that interchange.

But....come to think of it, I only use that exit when I go out drinking with friends, so maybe it's the driver? LOL, j/k

[transitman]

There's too much parking.  They need to build the streetcar.

[intcvlcphlga]

transitman, on Dec 15 2006, 01:34 PM, said:

There's too much parking.  They need to build the streetcar.

Agreed!  Also, they shouldn't front any of the streets with parking (eg. at the corner of Broad and Brookstown).  They should build out all of the street frontage to give it a true urban feel that ties it to the Burke Street area and to West End Village.