The Enquirer is saying it, so it must be true:

 

Kelly says he's staying at UC

Nippert renovation announced

By Bill Koch & Cliff Peale | Cincinnati Enquirer, December 2, 2008

 

Brian Kelly said today that he plans to stay at the University of Cincinnati as the head football coach, and along with athletic director Mike Thomas announced plans for a massive renovation of Nippert Stadium.  Kelly has become one of the hottest coaches in the country after leading UC to the Big East championship in just his second season as head coach, and he told the Enquirer Monday night that he had been contacted by several schools, including the University of Washington.

 

Today, he moved toward putting to rest speculation that he might leave.  “There’s been a lot of interest in my services, but I want to be here at the University of Cincinnati for the right reasons," he said. "My family loves it here. I’ve got good people to work with. It’s a really good situation, and it’s only going to get better.”  Kelly met with Thomas, UC president Nancy Zimpher, and Jeff Wyler, chair of the university's board of trustees.

 

Among the topics of discussion was the renovation of Nippert Stadium. Thomas said plans include adding additional seats, premium seating such as club seats and luxury suites, and improved infrastructure such as more restrooms and concessions.  Thomas said these improvements have been on his radar for several years, but the football team’s success this year and impending bid to a major bowl game put things on the fast track.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081202/SPT0101/312020081/1062/SPT

^ HNTB doesn't have architects in their Cincy office, Kansas City might be the closest. But they've done some good stadium projects

In casual conversation I spoke to Mike Thomas after the game and he mentioned the architects are looking at various options at this point.  For instance say an option to keep the existing press box, one that would eliminate it and replace with a new one, one that might have suites in a mezzanine level with upper deck seating above.  One option might keep the existing 200 level upper deck (Shank Pavilion) and expand it, one option may remove it and replace with larger upper deck (with suites), etc.  Basically, the point is nothing is off the table.

 

That said, in the end I do not think the final version will look like those renderings.

Real seats, not benches, would be nice.

^ HNTB doesn't have architects in their Cincy office, Kansas City might be the closest. But they've done some good stadium projects

 

Kansas City has the market cornered for sports architecture between HOK Sports and HNTB.  UC will get something worth their money from HNTB.

 

Kansas City has the market cornered for sports architecture between HOK Sports and HNTB. UC will get something worth their money from HNTB.

 

Get NBBJ Sport to move out there too, and then you might have something going.  But color me relieved that Trahan is not the architect of record for this project.  Great for jazz and conceptual, but there are some serious logistics problems involved with nippert expansion that makes employing an experienced firm much much wiser.  Yet another in a sries of good decisions by Mike Thomas.

From C. Trent at 1530 homer:

 

I know there are old plans floating around on the internet from Trahan Architects out of Baton Rouge -- there are these three pictures on their website. Those are old and dated.

 

The architects Mike Thomas has hired are from HNTB in Kansas City, which also has an office here in Cincinnati. The stadium HNTB has done that most here would be familiar with is Louisville Slugger Stadium in Louisville, home of the Bats. They also did Invesco Field in Denver, home of the Broncos.

 

I wrote an article on UrbanCincy on Monday about Nippert Stadium expansion options and included these "dated" renderings.  I don't know if they're referring to my article inparticular or just as part of the overall "floating around on the internet."  Either way I clearly specified that these were older drawings so that readers wouldn't be confused.  I hope they weren't making that snippy comment towards my site.

 

http://www.urbancincy.com/2008/12/can-nippert-stadium-really-be-expanded.html

 

BTW, a commenter on a recent espn.com story commented about the renderings they saw on my website and traffic has spiked significantly.  Today alone my traffic has quadrupled from its normal traffic levels.  Needless to say this story is drawing some attention.

^ Ha...i saw that on espn and wondered if you were the poster.  Nice bit of advertising.

Im not sure if this has been brought up yet or not but why doesn't UC use the empty armory fieldhouse to put a practice field in? It is rarely used and in need of a renovation. I dont see why they didn't do this when the rec center was built other than them having something better up their sleeves.

^ I think it has been brought up but i agree with you 100 percent.  I think it could be turned into a pretty nice half field facility.

The metal shed thing is now gone on the site that will hold the 1.5 practice fields for UC's football team.

The future of Nippert Stadium

June 24, 2009

http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/blog/spec-rel/062409aaa.html

 

(10:22 a.m.): After the Brian Kelly contract news conference Monday, in which we discussed the removal of the practice bubble/practice facility clause from his contract, I also wanted to talk about the future of Nippert Stadium.

 

I asked Mike Thomas if there was anything specific in BK's new contract regarding upgrades to Nippert (there aren't) and I asked BK if he had shifted his thinking about playing more games at Paul Brown Stadium (at this point, he'd rather play home games at Nippert). To me, it's an issue that will play a role in determining how seriously a player the administration thinks football can be in the next decade or so (whether BK is here or not).

 

A few months ago, during a football spring practice, Thomas and I talked for a while about the state of the stadium and what could be done to upgrade it into a facility that could generate more revenue streams. What I took from the conversation: it's going to be tough to expand the stadium past, say, 45,000 seats, and it's going to cost a boatload of money to put in club seats and private boxes. Tens of millions of dollars that would take many years to pay itself off.

 

In the epilogue of Bearcats Rising, (cover here, preorder it here) I talk about the possible solutions and consequences of a Nippert facelift. It seems like everybody agrees that something needs to be done to modernize the stadium. Although the relatively new and shiny Paul Brown Stadium - which still will play host to the UC-Oklahoma game in 2010 - sits a few miles to the south, a weekly jaunt downtown isn't what BK has in mind.

 

"There's always going to be the want and the desire to play on your home field," BK said. "However, I signed this contract because of what it looks like in five years. If Nippert looks like this in five years, I'll be very disappointed."

 

Thomas seems to realize that. Which is why architects continue to study ways to expand and improve Nippert and Fifth Third Arena. Of course, as I detail in the book*, the Lindner Center, to some degree, stands in the way of progress.

 

*Big kickoff, Aug. 20 at Joseph-Beth with special guests.

 

Thomas, though, hopes to have an answer soon.

 

"We are studying both Nippert and 5/3 right now," Thomas said. "Hopefully, some time in the mid-to-late fall we'll have good feel about what we can and cannot do with some of those projects. The cost components won't be there, but it will follow shortly thereafter. ... That's being studied right now and seeing what ability we have to do something with the stadium. Not just with the footprint, but raising the dollars to make that happen."

 

Something, BK said, has to be done.

 

"There has to be - and there is - a plan in place," he said. "Mike is aggressively pursuing options to get Nippert Stadium to a position where it ensures its long-term viability. Let's face it, they had to do a lot of work to Wrigley and Fenway Park to maintain their long-term viability. We have to do the same thing here. If we don't do it and say, `Forget it, we'll make it an intramural field and we're down at Paul Brown,' I don't think that's the case. There's an effort on everybody's part to really study what needs to be down here to keep this facility a mainstay for us. If we stay inactive on this, we'll be down at Paul Brown a lot. If we move in the fashion that I think we are, we're going to be able to play both cards. That's a good thing for this program."

Just to bring up an example related to college hoops, my alma mater, Villanova has a smaller and somewhat outdated on-campus facility (seats 7,000).  The program can clearly support a larger facility but b/c of limited land and township issues (snotty mainline residents), there are challenges as it relates to expansion or a new bigger arena.  What they do now is they play 3 or 4 big games a year (Uconn, G town etc)  in Philly (where the Sixers play i.e. 22,000) and the rest of the games are on campus.  Let me tell you, it works perfectly and I think this is something Kelly/UC can implement as the program continues to grow in stature i.e. OSU and Louisville at Paul Brown and some smaller names on campus. 

Some renderings of the new practice fields:

 

 

 

Wasn't the agreement for a covered practice field, or does this also come with a cover for cold times of year?

^The full field will have an inflatable bubble that will create an enclosed space.  This is fairly typical for most programs...it gives you a covered practice facility that is more flexible than a permanently enclosed facility.

 

From my understanding UC will also be using this space for the lacrosse and soccer programs.

I just wonder about practice fields as highest best use. I feel the same way about the Bengals practice fields. I know they've got to practice. How about investing in the old Coy complex of fields.

Whether or not this practice field is the best use for the space, I'm just glad to see the parking lot replaced with something more useful and more attractive.  Now, we just need to get rid of that last lot by the Alumni Center.... maybe if the College of Business ever expands they can build something there?

I heard that the inclusion of the stands on the west side is so the practice field can be used by local high schools (Hughes, Purcell) that don't have stadiums.  Anybody know?

^My understanding is that it's for the women's lacrosse team.

Well, it looks like the idea of moving games to US Bank has been thrown around, but not seriously.  Apparently the owner of US Bank asks them to move down there every year, who can blame him he could probably use the money, but it has never gained any ground.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=blog04&plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3ada6629a0-7bd0-4605-8869-25a20cb5adabPost%3a0b5776bd-b9d9-4a00-8942-c09cb0d0efa9&sid=sitelife.cincinnati.com

I'm opposed to moving any games off campus, and so are a lot of people.  It hurts the student turnout and loses a bit of the home field advantage.

I have recently been told that UC basketball games will be moving down to US Bank Arena sooner than later.  Will update as I learn more and can elaborate.

ha, if the Bearcats keep it up, they'll have to move our Football games somewhere else too!

 

The WV game tickets for students sold out in like less than an hour this morning, all full price tickets are sold out too and they are currently being scalped for $200+ online by ticket brokers. WTF!!!

eh UC will sell seat licenses and of course coporate boxes to fund Nippert expansion only 10-12K.

 

Basketball will be down at the colusieum in 2010 is a good bet right now.The athletic program needs money pretty badly and the colusieum is offering/promising a lot more than can be made at Shoemaker right now.

I have recently been told that UC basketball games will be moving down to US Bank Arena sooner than later. Will update as I learn more and can elaborate.

 

Could this be in correlation to tearing down the Shoe and replacing it?  Surely they would expand Nippert before building a new arena...

From C. Trent at 1530 homer:

 

I know there are old plans floating around on the internet from Trahan Architects out of Baton Rouge -- there are these three pictures on their website. Those are old and dated.

 

The architects Mike Thomas has hired are from HNTB in Kansas City, which also has an office here in Cincinnati. The stadium HNTB has done that most here would be familiar with is Louisville Slugger Stadium in Louisville, home of the Bats. They also did Invesco Field in Denver, home of the Broncos.

 

I wrote an article on UrbanCincy on Monday about Nippert Stadium expansion options and included these "dated" renderings.  I don't know if they're referring to my article inparticular or just as part of the overall "floating around on the internet."  Either way I clearly specified that these were older drawings so that readers wouldn't be confused.  I hope they weren't making that snippy comment towards my site.

 

http://www.urbancincy.com/2008/12/can-nippert-stadium-really-be-expanded.html

 

BTW, a commenter on a recent espn.com story commented about the renderings they saw on my website and traffic has spiked significantly.  Today alone my traffic has quadrupled from its normal traffic levels.  Needless to say this story is drawing some attention.

 

UncleRando:  I was looking for these old rendering but the link to your site is no longer valid.

 

Nippert expansion announcement is today.

Check "Reply #90" for rendering, that I'm sure are out of date. Sounds like any changes would just be luxury boxes and premium seating.

 

This is likely a rendering for Nippert's planned expansion. It has the increased press boxes/suites and adds what could be 2000 seats just below them. I think this is accurate, but can't be certain. It was found on bearcatsnation.com (homepage: currently second entry as of posting)

From C. Trent at 1530 homer:

 

I know there are old plans floating around on the internet from Trahan Architects out of Baton Rouge -- there are these three pictures on their website. Those are old and dated.

 

The architects Mike Thomas has hired are from HNTB in Kansas City, which also has an office here in Cincinnati. The stadium HNTB has done that most here would be familiar with is Louisville Slugger Stadium in Louisville, home of the Bats. They also did Invesco Field in Denver, home of the Broncos.

 

I wrote an article on UrbanCincy on Monday about Nippert Stadium expansion options and included these "dated" renderings.  I don't know if they're referring to my article inparticular or just as part of the overall "floating around on the internet."  Either way I clearly specified that these were older drawings so that readers wouldn't be confused.  I hope they weren't making that snippy comment towards my site.

 

http://www.urbancincy.com/2008/12/can-nippert-stadium-really-be-expanded.html

 

BTW, a commenter on a recent espn.com story commented about the renderings they saw on my website and traffic has spiked significantly.  Today alone my traffic has quadrupled from its normal traffic levels.  Needless to say this story is drawing some attention.

 

UncleRando:  I was looking for these old rendering but the link to your site is no longer valid.

 

Nippert expansion announcement is today.

 

This is the UrbanCincy article that you're referring to: http://www.urbancincy.com/2008/12/can-nippert-stadium-really-be-expanded/

Like it but wish they went all the way around with the seats to make it more symmetrical. Also wish they at least got the seating to 40,000

A gallery of renderings for the new structure. It will include a skywalk connecting TUC to the new structure.

 

^I disagree. Symmetrical is boring. I also think that preserving the view of Dieterle Vocal Arts Center to the south and Lindner Center to the NE is very important. It wouldn't feel like the same stadium if they blocked the views of these buildings.

 

Also, the premium seating is capable of paying for entire construction cost over multiple years if only 75% of new premium seating is sold (though they will try to sell 100%). Couple that with the donations by alumni and local philanthropists and you are getting a return on your investment. Regular seating would not return enough money and we already have trouble selling out Nippert. Maybe in 10 years if our football programs keeps momentum they can think about adding more bleacher seats (third level above current second level, maybe).

 

The announcement the day before the Crosstown Classic on National TV will surely help them in their national attention. I think this was a very strategic decision that is in the best interest for UC as a whole, not just their football program. Construction is expected to start immediately after their 2013 regular season and hopefully be finished in time for the 2014 regular season.

A gallery of renderings for the new structure. It will include a skywalk connecting TUC to the new structure.

 

^I disagree. Symmetrical is boring. I also think that preserving the view of Dieterle Vocal Arts Center to the south and Lindner Center to the NE is very important. It wouldn't feel like the same stadium if they blocked the views of these buildings.

 

Also, the premium seating is capable of paying for entire construction cost over multiple years if only 75% of new premium seating is sold (though they will try to sell 100%). Couple that with the donations by alumni and local philanthropists and you are getting a return on your investment. Regular seating would not return enough money and we already have trouble selling out Nippert. Maybe in 10 years if our football programs keeps momentum they can think about adding more bleacher seats (third level above current second level, maybe).

 

The announcement the day before the Crosstown Classic on National TV will surely help them in their national attention. I think this was a very strategic decision that is in the best interest for UC as a whole, not just their football program. Construction is expected to start immediately after their 2013 regular season and hopefully be finished in time for the 2014 regular season.

 

Thanks for linking that up. Cliff notes of press conference,

 

        He said the is about changing the revenue model and playing games at PBS does not do so...several reasons of the top of my head

        1. Lack of Control over concessions

        2. Lack of Control over parking

        3. Sharing of ticket revenues (Said last years two trips to PBS cost the Cats in the 6 figures)

        4. Lack of Control over the luxury suits

        5. Having their own luxury suits is a great way to connect with big donors and corporations.

        6. Said he wants the athletic programs to be a gateway for the University and that taking games away from Campus takes away from on campus visibility

        7. Said kids coming down to the first game at Nippert are often seeing UC's campus for the first time and that hopefully it will lead them back to UC.

        8. Mentioned last years survey and the ticket holders overwhelmingly preferred Nippert Stadium.

        9. Said the players and coaches preferred Nippert.

 

        I may be missing some stuff, but that's top of my head.

 

 

    Over 250,000 fans come to watch UC football games, wants them on Campus and uptown supporting the clifton university community.

 

And some of those 250K fans are grade school and high school aged kids who you want to bring on campus (not downtown) to show off UC so they'll consider UC for college when the time comes.

 

http://csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=608119&pid=8721576#pid8721576

Like it but wish they went all the way around with the seats to make it more symmetrical. Also wish they at least got the seating to 40,000

 

I think they is about where it ends up. As Whit said he likes round numbers. Very interested in the Loge Seating, although I like my Shank Pavillion seats.

UC to start designing Nippert expansion

 

From the Enquirer:

 

The University of Cincinnati is about to spend its first $2 million on design for a new pavilion at Nippert Stadium, a project it’s actively pitching to other athletic conferences.

 

In January, UC sent a video description of the $70 million project to all of the Atlantic Coast Conference presidents, the latest sign that it’s still campaigning for a spot in that league.

 

Read more: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130218/NEWS01/302180097/UC-start-designing-Nippert-expansion

UC Releases New Nippert Stadium Renderings

Premium seat selection deadline set for Dec. 2, 2013

 

 

Proposed additions to the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium are a step closer to reality following the release of new renderings and floor plans for the Nippert Stadium Renovation & Expansion, director of athletics Whit Babcock announced Thursday.

 

Construction on the $86-millon, privately funded project, is scheduled to begin in mid-December 2013 and be completed in August of 2015.

 

“As we promised back in June we wanted to share with the Bearcat Family the exciting progress being made in the stadium design,” Babcock said. “As these renderings demonstrate, Nippert Stadium will add another signature facility in the heart of our beautiful campus. There will be some more tweaks and changes regarding design in the coming months. These renderings are close to final but still conceptual at this point.”

 

Cont

Very cool, here is an online brochure,

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cinn/sports/ucats/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/NippertRenovationExpansion.pdf?hq_e=el&hq_m=541625&hq_l=6&hq_v=ab00a4b2b6

New renderings........

 

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cinn/genrel/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/NippertRenderings112013.pdf

No where in the neighborhood of being an expert on this.  It still doesn't look like $70 million worth of upgrades to me.

No where in the neighborhood of being an expert on this.  It still doesn't look like $70 million worth of upgrades to me.

 

Same here, no expert. I think it might a little costly building-renovating in tight quarters such as Nippert and TUC directly

behind. The updated photos don't highlight the interior of individual finished Suites, new restrooms, concessions.

All of the suites have been sold, and most of the club seats also. So that is good.

No where in the neighborhood of being an expert on this.  It still doesn't look like $70 million worth of upgrades to me.

 

its the Gold plated Toilet seats in the Suites that take up the most money.

I have always wondered why they just don't take that CCM building and turn it into Suites.

Anyone have any insight into this?

I have always wondered why they just don't take that CCM building and turn it into Suites.

Anyone have any insight into this?

 

Because CCM uses it for classrooms - a lot of classrooms and studio space. And CCM isn't going to give up any of their buildings very easily.

And no one would want to buy a suite that's 150 feet behind the endzone.

And no one would want to buy a suite that's 150 feet behind the endzone.

 

Yeah, it's an awesome view in a general aesthetic sense from that building, but it's a terrible view for actually watching the football game.

I have always wondered why they just don't take that CCM building and turn it into Suites.

Anyone have any insight into this?

 

Formerly a women's gymnasium for the university, the Dieterle Vocal Arts Center (DVAC) opened in January 1995 and is home to the Voice, Opera, Choral and Accompanying departments.

 

Facilities include:

 

    19 faculty studios

    3 private coaching rooms

    2 warm-up rooms

    100-seat choral rehearsal room

    Choral library

    Nippert Rehearsal Studio

    Italo Tajo Archive Room

 

The Nippert Rehearsal Studio is a grand opera-scale rehearsal space with dressing rooms and technical support. It doubles as a performance venue for workshops and concerts.

 

DVAC is the result of the gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Nippert.

Nippert Construction Cam

^wow. That's even a live camera not just an image every 10 seconds. Impressive

Nippert Construction Cam

 

Going to be nice to see this project get going. At the last minute UC added in 3 more private suites due to demand, all 21 suites are sold out.

Nippert Construction Cam

 

Going to be nice to see this project get going. At the last minute UC added in 3 more private suites due to demand, all 21 suites are sold out.

 

That is great news for UC, a huge cash infusion to a cash-strapped program.  One would think though that if they keep selling out, why wouldn't they provide more than 21?