Can they really finish this in less than a month??

 

Of course

Last season, the Cleveland Browns footbridge was partially closed all season (the east bridge). Does anyone know why this bridge was closed and if there is a plan to give it a makeover? Definitely needs a fresh coat of paint.

Last season, the Cleveland Browns footbridge was partially closed all season (the east bridge). Does anyone know why this bridge was closed and if there is a plan to give it a makeover? Definitely needs a fresh coat of paint.

 

Yeah I was disappointed to see how faded it is. Not a good impression on visiting fans/anybody coming downtown to see a game.

It appears some structural miscalculations occurred on the east end zone scoreboard construction . The vertical I beam was removed at the south east end which had been up since July 1. On the earthcam Saturday they were beginning to construct the rest of the frame work and something wasn't connecting properly.

Last season, the Cleveland Browns footbridge was partially closed all season (the east bridge). Does anyone know why this bridge was closed and if there is a plan to give it a makeover? Definitely needs a fresh coat of paint.

Leave it closed, more reason for people to catch the train! ;)

Here's a picture from today, showing the west end of the stadium. Looks like they still have a ways to go!!!

 

^ Panic button has been hit, I imagine lol.

Not sure this is a "panic" as this is a two year project.

^ Panic button has been hit, I imagine lol.

 

Why would you say that? There's a lot of work that can be accomplished before the first preseason game.

^ Panic button has been hit, I imagine lol.

 

Why would you say that? There's a lot of work that can be accomplished before the first preseason game.

 

It does look like there's a lot to do before the first homegame on August 23rd.  A part of me thought they'd finish phase 1, make the stadium pretty for the season, then complete phase 2.  That would be costly and inefficient, so my guess is fans will have to put up with some construction inconveniences this year as the project continues. 

^ Panic button has been hit, I imagine lol.

 

Why would you say that? There's a lot of work that can be accomplished before the first preseason game.

 

It does look like there's a lot to do before the first homegame on August 23rd.  A part of me thought they'd finish phase 1, make the stadium pretty for the season, then complete phase 2.  That would be costly and inefficient, so my guess is fans will have to put up with some construction inconveniences this year as the project continues. 

I thought based on the remodel that was suppose to happen.

• Phase 1 - 2014 right up until the start of the season
  
• 2014 Season
  
• Phase 2 - 2015 up until the start of the 2015 season.
  

In addition there would be some cosmetic changes taking place on non game days.

While I am glad to see the updates to the stadium I am disappointed the structural steel doesn't repeat any of the details from the original design. It all feels as an add rather than seamless.

Maybe the brutal winter caused some construction delays.  If nothing else I'm sure the new jumbo trons and sound system will work by game day!  But seriously hopefully it just looks worse than it actually is and will be complete in time.

 

Edit:  Looking at dave68's pic of the interior it does look more complete than from the outside.

Why is everyone worried about this not being completed?  The last 4 weeks of a project is when the most visual progress takes place.

Why is everyone worried about this not being completed?  The last 4 weeks of a project is when the most visual progress takes place.

 

w28th[/member]  I agree.  It's like buy and renovating or building a house.  Many people cannot visualize the finished product when it's a state of renovation.

Looking at Dave68's photo, is the new section of upper end zone seats elevated above the section next to it?  That's the way it looks to me and I don't see a reason for doing so.

^ That looks to be some type of premium seating that will be boxed off. Probably sponsored driven. You can it see about halfway through this video.

Looking at Dave68's photo, is the new section of upper end zone seats elevated above the section next to it?  That's the way it looks to me and I don't see a reason for doing so.

 

Not trying to be mean, but your comment is what I was talking about in my earlier post.

 

Many times things need to be corrected during a renovation/rehab but aren't visual.  Could this be the case here?

 

Do any of the architects on the board have any knowledge of the changes that needed to be made?

They are now moving at lightning speed. 

 

While the restaurants are sure to have cool views, this is going to take even more basically out of the stadium. With the trend toward indoor options, the crowds are so much sparser, taking a lot of energy away from the event imho.

 

Discussing stadium renovations, Scheiner said one of the benefits of the two new huge video boards is that it creates an empty area behind each end zone. The team will install restaurants behind those boards. On one side, you can see Lake Erie. On the other, it's a view of the city. "Sometimes, our concourses were too crowded," said Scheiner. "This will give our fans more room."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2014/07/terrys_talkin_about_kevin_love.html#incart_most-read

They are now moving at lightning speed. 

They better...they have less than a month to wrap this up.  Looks like a lot of work still to be done.

 

While the restaurants are sure to have cool views, this is going to take even more basically out of the stadium. With the trend toward indoor options, the crowds are so much sparser, taking a lot of energy away from the event imho.

 

Discussing stadium renovations, Scheiner said one of the benefits of the two new huge video boards is that it creates an empty area behind each end zone. The team will install restaurants behind those boards. On one side, you can see Lake Erie. On the other, it's a view of the city. "Sometimes, our concourses were too crowded," said Scheiner. "This will give our fans more room."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2014/07/terrys_talkin_about_kevin_love.html#incart_most-read

But the Browns average attendance last year was 71,242 (97.3% capacity) up from 66,632 in 2012 which was up from 65,859 in 2011. So the crowds have been increasing lately. We shall have to see the effect of cutting 5,000+ seats out though.

But the Browns average attendance last year was 71,242 (97.3% capacity) up from 66,632 in 2012 which was up from 65,859 in 2011. So the crowds have been increasing lately. We shall have to see the effect of cutting 5,000+ seats out though.

 

Sure, but my point isn't about attendance; it's about having a plethora of empty seats during the game.

But the Browns average attendance last year was 71,242 (97.3% capacity) up from 66,632 in 2012 which was up from 65,859 in 2011. So the crowds have been increasing lately. We shall have to see the effect of cutting 5,000+ seats out though.

 

Sure, but my point isn't about attendance; it's about having a plethora of empty seats during the game.

Well that's an easy solution (Idk about the Browns), win and they will come. That's all we want.

Don't confuse ticket sales with actual attendance.  I highly doubt the actual attendance was north of 70k

Modern stadiums always suck because of Club Seats. The stadium could be packed but the club seats are always mostly empty. Instead of enjoying the game in their seats they go to the stadium to watch the game on a tv inside and socialize. You'd never see that happen at the old stadium or at older stadiums like lambeau field.

But the Browns average attendance last year was 71,242 (97.3% capacity) up from 66,632 in 2012 which was up from 65,859 in 2011. So the crowds have been increasing lately. We shall have to see the effect of cutting 5,000+ seats out though.

 

Sure, but my point isn't about attendance; it's about having a plethora of empty seats during the game.

Well that's an easy solution (Idk about the Browns), win and they will come. That's all we want.

 

Again, my point is that people aren't in their seats. The fans are technically "there" but they're inside ie club seating bars, restaurants, etc.  It makes the game atmosphere so lame.

Give me something to watch and I'll stay in my seat. Concessions at CBS have been historically ungodly slow too.

The east end zone video board has begun it's install

Looks like they started hanging the panels for west Scoreboard.

I wonder if more seats been added to the lower bowl yet especially the Dawg Pound. I've heard stories (I'm not old enough to remember/see) that the Dawg Pound section sat closer to the field than this version which made it more intimidating/effective (In addition to winning). Is that true?

Here's how close the real Dawg Pound seats were to the field...

 

"@AaronPikeCPA: #tbt My Dad on the roof of #Cleveland Municipal w/ no media credentials;  @Browns fans this is the #DawgPound http://t.co/uND8wmgpMn"

 

The original Dawg Pound were the outfield bleachers of Municipal Stadium.  Due to the issues with making a football field fit in Municipal Stadium, the bleachers were very close to the field..... at least much closer than the other end zone....

 

new west scoreboard up and running. 

east end zone progress

Thanks Dave!

Here's how close the real Dawg Pound seats were to the field...

 

"@AaronPikeCPA: #tbt My Dad on the roof of #Cleveland Municipal w/ no media credentials;  @Browns fans this is the #DawgPound http://t.co/uND8wmgpMn"

 

Thank you that must have been a wild section and a terror for opponents.

My Dad was the timekeeper for The Cleveland Browns for 25 years in the 60's 70's and 80's. I was lucky to have grown up on the field of Municipal Stadium.  There was nothing better than the grit and power of The Dawg Pound bleachers.  No matter any of these renovations the fans of Cleveland make this stadium the best.

^I know the current time-keeper

Thank you that must have been a wild section and a terror for opponents.

 

It was. Most of the time, fans threw dog biscuits or snowballs at players. It was all just fun. But some idiots would throw heavier things like batteries.

 

The noise was definitely louder at the Dawg Pound end because the fans were so close. And it contrasted with the other end because the end zone was where the pitching mound was for baseball. So you had 60 feet to home plate and then a generous area behind home plate to the first row of seats. So it was roughly 80-100 feet from the end zone to the seats at the west end of the stadium. I sat in those seats for my first-ever Browns games in 1982 verses the Eagles, just before the players strike. The seats were awful. There was no way to know where either team was on the field, how many yards were gained, or if they were close to a first down -- except by looking at the scoreboard at the other end of the stadium or the mini scoreboards around the field.

 

The contrast was so stark that I remember in a Browns-Broncos game in 1989, Bronco players couldn't hear John Elway call the plays in the huddle or at the line while backed up to the Dawg Pound. So the refs had them switch ends of the field so the Broncos could be at the west end where the fans were much farther away from the action. Browns Coach Bud Carson was furious! Yet, Broncos RB Sammy Winder fumbled with a few minutes left in a tie game. Kosar drove the Browns down the field and Matt Bahr kicked the game-winning field goal. Bahr later joked "It was nice for us to get a fumble and a drive in the same game."

A few updates and observations.

 

The rendering which was presented to The City and fans adjusted as the build happens. There sure seems to be very little structural steel components left off in the rendering than was engineered.  I believe in truth in advertising and much has changed.  I'll let you be the judges.

1.  Pepsi signage area. big change in angle

2.  speakers added into orange area

3. orange area changed shape and size

4. "Sherwin Williams" sign floats instead of resting on top of video board

 

Also note the square video board to the left of the main board was dismantled today.  Not sure what the issue was but not a good sign with such a tight finished schedule.

^I really don't get what the big deal is. Things change. These changes are minor.

^I really don't get what the big deal is. Things change. These changes are minor.

 

Thank you!!

^I really don't get what the big deal is. Things change. These changes are minor.

 

Except the price tag. And apparently the change in fan experience. We'll see.

^I really don't get what the big deal is. Things change. These changes are minor.

 

Except the price tag. And apparently the change in fan experience. We'll see.

 

I'm referring to another poster pointing out the little changes between what was presented and what is actually happening, most of which has to do with signage. I think the overall changes to the stadium are good.

I hear its a mad scramble to get everything done by the 23rd. They're rushing to get city sign off as they are behind. Lots of jobs are like that at the end though.

None of these improvements will improve "fan experience" if the Browns offense continues to look this terrible!

I was told they are working through the night now.  Based on the webcam I don't see how they get everything finished in time (not to mention the inspections) but we'll see in less than 5 days.

Here are some interior updates from the evening of August 18.    Much still needs to be finished prior to the 23rd.  I don't know what the status is with regards to any of the exterior entrance gates.