Any updates on the New Dude?

[bulldogcountry1]

I'm hearing reports that range from it going as planned all the way down to what sounds like a small refurb. We should be getting close to advertising the contract (or at least part of it), so the details should be nailed down by now. Can we still expect to see something close to what was initially presented, minus the lofts?

 

[Shamoan]

im sure the ad is on it.** bad timing for loafers to jump ship.

 

[57stratdawg]

Was told outfield is expected to start as soon as 2017 season ends. Grandstands will be the next year. I don't think LFLofts are in the works anymore.

It remains to be seen how Cohen's impending job promotion will impact things, but I don't see it changing much honestly.

I haven't heard anything since this summer though. Maybe someone has more recent info.

 

[Xenomorph]

new LFL

 

[patdog]

Diamond Girls were told a month or so ago that the first home game of 2018 would be the SEC opener. So, there's definitely either the outfield or the grandstand (probably the outfield) scheduled for the 2017-2018 offseason. This was before Stricklin bailed on us, but I don't think that will really change anything. And, as Shamoan pointed out, very poor timing for Stricklin to leave. Maybe on the football front too.

 

[philduckworth]

I wish we would do the grandstand first and put the outfield stuff on pause.

 

[Dawgbite]

I think the outfield stuff is to the point of either change it or lose it altogether. Mainly from a liability point of view.

 

[dawgstudent]

The biggest thing is they want a 360 degree view all throughout the stadium. They can't have that without a redo of the outfield

 

[patdog]

360 degree view? What does that even mean?

 

[aTotal360]

This is my specialty...

 

[57stratdawg]

There is no liability risk from LFL to MSU.

This was addressed during the 'town hall' meetings.

 

[philduckworth]

There is no liability risk from LFL to MSU.

This was addressed during the 'town hall' meetings.

I'm so sad to see the LFL changed. The best thing about MSU sports and college baseball. I hoped with Stricklin gone, this was something we could stop.

 

[dawgstudent]

I'm sure I have the terminology wrong but they want a walkway that no matter where you are in the stadium and can see the field.

 

[philduckworth]

I'm sure I have the terminology wrong but they want a walkway that no matter where you are in the stadium and can see the field.

Yeah, the sight lines are terrible, especially down the lines where the bleachers are.

 

[patdog]

Ah, I understand now.

 

[dawgstudent]

Before people freak out, those boxes shown are simply placeholders for individual lounges. There will be several options to choose from.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

So what's the deal with the lofts? While ridiculous, I thought they would be pretty damn neat

 

[Xenomorph]

You just want to suck the joy out of everything. **

 

[Xenomorph]

Gotta keep your head on a swivel!

 

[Duke Humphrey]

Buddy of mine told me construction starts right after 17

I'm hearing reports that range from it going as planned all the way down to what sounds like a small refurb. We should be getting close to advertising the contract (or at least part of it), so the details should be nailed down by now. Can we still expect to see something close to what was initially presented, minus the lofts?

Hope is to have outfield and grandstand habitle for start of 2018, with Club and suite levels ready for 2019.

 

[Go Budaw]

So what's the deal with the lofts? While ridiculous, I thought they would be pretty damn neat

I've heard a lot of things ranging from zoning restrictions to Mullen didn't want them because construction cranes would be all over his practice field. But the thing I heard that is most prevalent is that they just weren't selling. The pricing was something like $50,000 per season per unit, which is pretty damn insane. Works out to roughly $1700 per game (and that includes the garbage midweek matchups against the Murray States and Alcorns of the world). Demand was further driven down when it was stated the units weren't actually "liveable" and people would have to vacate in between baseball series. Demand probably would have been a lot higher if tenants could rent them for the whole calendar year and use the units as a place to crash during football season and even catch a fall scrimmage or two while they were at it.

 

[patdog]

I think the lofts were always viewed as something that may or may be added later, depending on if/when the sales came through

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

The non liveable thing is news to me. Even more ridiculous than I originally thought. Make them condos that are leased on a year to year basis and they'll sell

 

[bulldogcountry1]

Guess I'm really more concerned about what instead of when. I've been around too long to not worry about what this thing is going to actually look like. The renderings were badass, and if they try to pass some base model over on us, there should be a revolt.

 

[57stratdawg]

Seems like they were $50,000 with another $5-10K per year in maintenance/upkeep. And yes, they weren't/aren't selling.

 

[patdog]

Yeah. When I found out you couldn't live there, I figured they were going to be a very hard sell. I believe you can use them for football and basketball weekends, so there at least is that. But that's a lot of money for a condo you can't use more than 50-60 nights a year.

 

[DerHntr]

I wish we would do the grandstand first and put the outfield stuff on pause.

I couldn't agree more with this. If we are possibly going to reduce the grand nature of this renovation, then reduce the costs on LFL and update everything else according to plan. LFL is by far the coolest part of the experience at the Dude and the remainder needs to be addressed badly.

Why not keep LFL like it is for as long as possible and change it last? I'm ok with changing it but why do it first?

 

[RocketDawg]

I've heard a lot of things ranging from zoning restrictions to Mullen didn't want them because construction cranes would be all over his practice field. But the thing I heard that is most prevalent is that they just weren't selling. The pricing was something like $50,000 per season per unit, which is pretty damn insane. Works out to roughly $1700 per game (and that includes the garbage midweek matchups against the Murray States and Alcorns of the world). Demand was further driven down when it was stated the units weren't actually "liveable" and people would have to vacate in between baseball series. Demand probably would have been a lot higher if tenants could rent them for the whole calendar year and use the units as a place to crash during football season and even catch a fall scrimmage or two while they were at it.

Compared to an $18K cabana tent, $50K might not be too bad. **

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

They're scaling back a little bit.

 

[Hankp22]

Here is my thing:

The lack of information regarding progress has been disturbing. I know how much it costs to purchase rights to a seat and I'm all for that. I've seen preliminary drawings that include a loft type structure that may or may not happen. And I'm excited about the thought of MSU baseball improving facilities. Beyond that general information, the university has been pretty quiet on the topic.

One of the most unique sport environments at any level takes place in our outfield. As someone that has attended games for as long as a I can remember, I am worried we are going to lose that uniqueness. I don't enjoy watching games from the LFL but it will sting to walk into a DNF where that environment fails to exist. If that can be captured and we can pull it off, then go for it. I just think it is going to be difficult.

I'm all for doing whatever needs to be done from grandstand to foul pole. And I'm fine with adjusting something in the outfield...we just need to be careful how we do it.

 

[patdog]

I suspect everything but the lofts is probably a done deal. And for all the bitching about it, the new LFL is going to be outstanding.

 

[Go Budaw]

Yeah. When I found out you couldn't live there, I figured they were going to be a very hard sell. I believe you can use them for football and basketball weekends, so there at least is that. But that's a lot of money for a condo you can't use more than 50-60 nights a year.

My understanding is the plan was that they would not allow occupants outside of baseball season. Since they aren't actually liveable, I think the best option would be to scale them way down and just make them outfield skyboxes with only a kitchen and living room / gathering area (no bedrooms). You can still have balconies and a brick facade to give it the feel of an apartment type building. Then along with that, drop the price significantly to more closely match that of the other large suites in the stadium.

 

[BossDawg78]

So what's the deal with the lofts? While ridiculous, I thought they would be pretty damn neat

Yup, they would have certainly set the ball park apart from the rest. However, it's just too original for State, had to scrap.

 

[BossDawg78]

My understanding is the plan was that they would not allow occupants outside of baseball season. Since they aren't actually liveable, I think the best option would be to scale them way down and just make them outfield skyboxes with only a kitchen and living room / gathering area (no bedrooms). You can still have balconies and a brick facade to give it the feel of an apartment type building. Then along with that, drop the price significantly to more closely match that of the other large suites in the stadium.

Nope. Heaven forbid our leadership rethinks things and actually tries to do something fun and very, very unique. Nope, can't do that. Too much work for State. Besides, the Dern Merlinz doesn't want those stupid cranes out there.

 

[leeinator]

Yep, no year-round use is a non-starter for me.......

....they need to cut the price in half if that's the case. Maybe less. Nothing will sell on those terms.

 

[EngDawg]

They're scaling back a little bit.

That's actually a very cool pic of old DNF and the hump under construction.

At least that's what it looks like it is