So, what happened with these hotel plans? From the way the articles were written, it sounds like it was pretty much a done deal

So, what happened with these hotel plans? From the way the articles were written, it sounds like it was pretty much a done deal

Ugh...this is all for a different thread, but at that time, there were several hotels and office buildings planned.  Another one at 6th and Rockwell, along with the Courthouse Tower development.  The city was primed.  Office vacancy was extremely low, that is until BP left, and essentially 450k sqft on the market along with alot of other folks.  They basically added an office building to the market. 

From yesterday-- some thoughts from Gateway board members on the renovations. Apparently they have concerns about making sure the Feller statue remains in a public space outside the gates of the park and whether it's fair to eliminate seats from a publicly financed facility.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2014/08/progressive_field_and_quicken.html

From yesterday-- some thoughts from Gateway board members on the renovations. Apparently they have concerns about making sure the Feller statue remains in a public space outside the gates of the park and whether it's fair to eliminate seats from a publicly financed facility.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2014/08/progressive_field_and_quicken.html

If in fact they can remove seats, however increase revenue by adding to the fan experience, I don't see why it should be an issue.  I'm all for this.  Fan viewing expectations have changed in recent years. 

From yesterday-- some thoughts from Gateway board members on the renovations. Apparently they have concerns about making sure the Feller statue remains in a public space outside the gates of the park and whether it's fair to eliminate seats from a publicly financed facility.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2014/08/progressive_field_and_quicken.html

If in fact they can remove seats, however increase revenue by adding to the fan experience, I don't see why it should be an issue.  I'm all for this.  Fan viewing expectations have changed in recent years. 

 

Right. I'm not sure why this would be viewed as a concern. How many games per season in the past 10 years has the attendance gone over 37K? In the last two years, it's only happened five times (including the Wild Card playoff game and the two home openers).

Well this came out of the blue, so to speak. When originally proposed the new addition in the upper stands was all blue. I questioned it along with others. Well someone must read this forum because the latest render from the planning commish shows it as green which looks so much better.  Almost like dave68 proposed up thread.

Looks like a bunch of walls in the right field upper deck.

If they are moving the bullpens, then why don't they add seats where the bullpen is in the right field corner?  Are they just going leave a gap there with nothing in it?

 

It looks like some seats are added, but there is still a gap there.

I thought the bullpen area in right field was going to be part of the bar that's on the terrace down the right field line. There was something stated that the multi level bar would have a walk-down to the field level in right field.. so perhaps that's what behind the (apparent) windows now in right field fence.

Glad to see the changes, I do think the green looks better. Also, it seems small, but I'm really happy to see that they plan to add flag poles for Ohio and Cleveland flags. Many other ballparks fly the flags of their city and state, and I always wished Progressive Field did the same. Will be a nice touch.

Well this came out of the blue, so to speak. When originally proposed the new addition in the upper stands was all blue. I questioned it along with others. Well someone must read this forum because the latest render from the planning commish shows it as green which looks so much better.  Almost like dave68 proposed up thread.

 

I sent my concerns to The Indians. I was happy to see they were open to my idea

^Nice work.

They aren't wasting time! Seats are already being removed from the decks to be rebuilt at Progressive Field.

Here are a few pictures I took this afternoon. This is about a week's worth of work.

 

 

 

Indian's employees have been instructed not to take photos of the renovations.  Which is kind of ironic since you can clearly see the renovation progress from outside the stadium.

Indian's employees have been instructed not to take photos of the renovations.  Which is kind of ironic since you can clearly see the renovation progress from outside the stadium.

 

I don't see this as an issue.  Most company's have a social media policy and employees have been advised of it.  If you're not in PR you should not be commenting or posting corporate information.

 

I'm going to say this retro fit falls under corporate information.

The Indians also have a social media policy. I know someone very well who works in corporate.

I'd love some of those seats if they're available.

 

Hear that, Indians!

^wkyc reported they were selling for six hundy a pair. How many you want?

^ whoa that is steep. but wait that's selling for, not getting. make them an offer they can refuse of fitty bux and see if you can get one. its worth a try. if you do - let us know what happens of course i would be curious about that! they would make a great gift i think.

 

^wkyc reported they were selling for six hundy a pair. How many you want?

 

Welp, looks like I'll be fishing them out of the Lake instead.

Cleveland Indians ‏@Indians  52m52 minutes ago

Yesterday, pictures. Today: Time-lapse video of the Batter's Eye Bar removal. WATCH: http://atmlb.com/1xvegjD 

Tribe has a 'live' webcam for field renovations. Can't find a direct link to it right noiw, just go to http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/cle/progressive-field/ and hit 'watch video'.

Progressive renovations starting to take shape.

 

http://www.indians.mlb.com/news/2014/12/19/104534234/progressive-field-renovations-starting-to-take-shape

http://www.indians.mlb.com/cle/video/v36851617/progressive-field-renovations

New sponsor sign...

New sponsor sign...

 

:roll:

I guess it's better then PNC

Yuk. I normally don't get too agitated about such things, but those light towers are the signature design element of our ballpark (and are awesome).  Hate seeing them cluttered like that.

Someone needs to tell Key's marketing team just because they CAN slap their logo somewhere, doesn't mean they SHOULD.  :roll:

Key's only buying what the Indians are selling. I blame them for milking every cent. But I suppose all that money is going toward covering the renovation costs and/or reimbursing Gateway.

I'm really suprised that there wasn't something in the purchase sale agreement for the naming rights that excluded others of putting a permanent logo as such on the stadium.  This seems more visibel than anyting Progressive has on the inside of the stadium. 

Well, I give baseball stadiums a free pass on this issue . Stadium advertising seems as old as the game itself.

 

That being said, I still hate to say "Progressive Field."

 

Yuck.

I'm really suprised that there wasn't something in the purchase sale agreement for the naming rights that excluded others of putting a permanent logo as such on the stadium.  This seems more visibel than anyting Progressive has on the inside of the stadium. 

 

Well, besides this....

 

 

 

I wonder when we'll see the day that American sports teams start selling naming rights to the teams. Like the "Sherwin-Williams Indians", instead of the "Cleveland Indians"

Nothing too exciting, but here are a couple pics from today showing the progress

 

 

What is the function of the new upper deck areas?

What is the function of the new upper deck areas?

 

I guess just standing space/party deck area. I don't foresee many people going up there to watch the game. It made sense at Coors Field because they put a bar in the upper deck. But I don't really understand what the draw is supposed to be up there

What is the function of the new upper deck areas?

 

I guess just standing space/party deck area. I don't foresee many people going up there to watch the game. It made sense at Coors Field because they put a bar in the upper deck. But I don't really understand what the draw is supposed to be up there

 

If you can get in the park for a cheap enough price, I'd actually prefer a sports bar setting rather than the siberian section nose bleed seats. Anyhow I like how the renovations look to make the stadium more intimate. I hate seeing all those upper deck sections unpopulated.

Those seats haven't been filled for years unfortunately. I used to not mind them back when I was a high school student in the mid 00s. $7 a pop, I'd go with my buddies.

 

It's got to be a significant impact on total seating capacity.... Or will they sell tickets specifically for that area, where you don't have a traditional seat?

Those seats haven't been filled for years unfortunately. I used to not mind them back when I was a high school student in the mid 00s. $7 a pop, I'd go with my buddies.

 

It's got to be a significant impact on total seating capacity.... Or will they sell tickets specifically for that area, where you don't have a traditional seat?

 

Exactly, summer after senior year of HS in '07 I went to 25 games...because of the $7 upper outfield reserved seats. Seating capacity will drop to mid 30,000s, and I'm sure they'll sell a bunch of standing room for big games like opening day. But I doubt you'll see those being sold if the game isn't expected to be at max capacity.

When they introduced the renovation plan their pitch was all about meeting friends at the game and nontraditional baseball experience, but they haven't been terribly explicit with how the area will function as far as I know.

When they introduced the renovation plan their pitch was all about meeting friends at the game and nontraditional baseball experience, but they haven't been terribly explicit with how the area will function as far as I know.

 

Right. Charge me a nominal fee and sure, I'd head there for some games for the atmosphere. But really if they're going to stand by the time honored practice of gouging for food and beverages, well, there are just way too many sports bars in NEO offering a cheaper alternative.

I wonder when we'll see the day that American sports teams start selling naming rights to the teams. Like the "Sherwin-Williams Indians", instead of the "Cleveland Indians"

 

We already had that day. Professional and amateur teams a century ago were sponsored by companies. Look at the names of the earliest NFL teams, including the Acme Packing Co. of Illinois which had meat-packing facilities in Green Bay and sponsored a pro football team there. Another pro football team was the Columbus Panhandles, founded in 1901 by Pennsylvania Railroad workers at the Panhandle Line (Columbus-Pittsburgh via the West Virginia Panhandle) maintenance yard just east of downtown Columbus.

 

Even my little league baseball team in Highland Heights in the 1970s was named "Don's Shell" because of the car service station on Wilson Mills Road that sponsored our team. Seems that companies with an address on Wilson Mills Road (like Progressive) like to sponsor baseball!

I remember toward the end of the Cleveland Crunch era, they had "BP" plastered all over their jersies. 

 

Okay, my bad, now back on topic!

I wonder when we'll see the day that American sports teams start selling naming rights to the teams. Like the "Sherwin-Williams Indians", instead of the "Cleveland Indians"

 

We already had that day. Professional and amateur teams a century ago were sponsored by companies. Look at the names of the earliest NFL teams, including the Acme Packing Co. of Illinois which had meat-packing facilities in Green Bay and sponsored a pro football team there. Another pro football team was the Columbus Panhandles, founded in 1901 by Pennsylvania Railroad workers at the Panhandle Line (Columbus-Pittsburgh via the West Virginia Panhandle) maintenance yard just east of downtown Columbus.

 

Even my little league baseball team in Highland Heights in the 1970s was named "Don's Shell" because of the car service station on Wilson Mills Road that sponsored our team. Seems that companies with an address on Wilson Mills Road (like Progressive) like to sponsor baseball!

 

Goodyear Wingfoots Basketball represent!!!

 

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0241/9737/products/1535_160_1024x1024.jpeg?v=1371562767

"@Indians: Stay locked here today, Tribe fans!

 

At 1:30, we'll announce major additions to our renovated Right Field District for 2015!"

 

Hmm....

https://twitter.com/indians

BREAKING: Melt Bar & Grilled, Barrio and Sweet Moses will serve up their food at Progressive Field in 2015!

 

 

 

Indians unveil plans for new concessions

 

One of the goals behind the ongoing renovation project at Progressive Field was to find ways to introduce elements of Cleveland neighborhoods within the ballpark. The Indians felt one way to do that was to bring some of the area's popular restaurants into the fold.

 

On Wednesday, Cleveland unveiled its new concessions plans for the revamped neighborhood-themed Right Field District. Melt Bar and Grilled, Barrio and Sweet Moses -- three well-known and highly-rated area eateries -- will be coming to Progressive Field and offering unique food options for the upcoming season.

 

"The addition of local brands like Melt, Barrio and Sweet Moses to one of pro sports' gems, Progressive Field," Indians vice president of concessions Kurt Schloss said in a release, "offers even more fan-friendly options at the ballpark."

 

 

http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/107022168/indians-unveil-plans-for-new-concessions

I don't like this trend of well known local eateries going into pro sports arenas, stadiums and ballparks.  You see this at First Energy Stadium as well: Rocco Whalen, Michael Symon and Jonathan Sawyer all have "restaurants" there and it's not the same experience.  They're basically just selling rights to their name.  They're run by the same company that runs the rest of the stands in the stadium.  The quality of the B Spot in the stadium is not the same as an actual B Spot.  They don't have the same controls over their employees, either.  You're not working for one of those restaurants, you're working for the stadium.

 

Obviously these owners can do what they want and good for them for the money this is going to put into their pockets, but I think it cheapens their brands.

As a transplant to Cleand a huge baseball fan, that lives 2 blocks from the stadium, this is exactly what they need to be doing. The experience at the stadium is not enough to convince my girlfriend, who is a local, or a bunch of my new friends to hit up more than a couple of games a year. The food experience is so bad currently that we have to plan to eat before the game. In a city with as rich a culinary offerings as Cle that cannot happen. I am all for turning empty seats into more of a bar experience, and increasing the food options. I give the Indians organization all the credit in the world for trying to increase the fan experience at the stadium. I know I am not alone, working at the Clinic, and talking with other 25-40 yr olds that have come to Cle from other cities, and that should be attending games, they are just as excited. 

As a transplant to Cleand a huge baseball fan, that lives 2 blocks from the stadium, this is exactly what they need to be doing. The experience at the stadium is not enough to convince my girlfriend, who is a local, or a bunch of my new friends to hit up more than a couple of games a year. The food experience is so bad currently that we have to plan to eat before the game. In a city with as rich a culinary offerings as Cle that cannot happen. I am all for turning empty seats into more of a bar experience, and increasing the food options. I give the Indians organization all the credit in the world for trying to increase the fan experience at the stadium. I know I am not alone, working at the Clinic, and talking with other 25-40 yr olds that have come to Cle from other cities, and that should be attending games, they are just as excited. 

 

I think the changes will be a hit - pun intended. Just wanted to make sure ya knew that you can take basically any food you want into the game with you. I actually didn't realize this for a few years and had been unnecessarily hiding the superior street vendor hotdogs on my way into the stadium.

 

In fact, more local businesses should cater to this fact. I'm talking to you especially, Mr. Sawyer. I want my special Indians To-Go cup of Noodlecat ramen for the games. And I want the cup to be a collectors item, like with Charles Nagy on it.

^That's an awesome idea about getting local folks to try to market ballgame takeout. Cleveland Pickle should be all over that.  It's actually a pet peeve of mine when people complain about expensive food as a reason not to go to games, given that you can take whatever you want in.

 

I'm pretty excited about the changes, even if ballpark hot dogs are one of my guilty pleasures. Can't wait for April.

^That's an awesome idea about getting local folks to try to market ballgame takeout. Cleveland Pickle should be all over that.  It's actually a pet peeve of mine when people complain about expensive food as a reason not to go to games, given that you can take whatever you want in.

 

I'm pretty excited about the changes, even if ballpark hot dogs are one of my guilty pleasures. Can't wait for April.

 

I just had the sinking suspicion that the Dolans are reading this thread and going to outlaw the "bring your own food" policy haha!