new stadium
 

what do you guys think the state should do???

RE: new stadium
 

I've been a Saints fan since the late 70's / early 80's, but had never attended a game at the Dome until 2003 (but I've been to many since then). I can't say I've found anything wrong with the Dome at all. The sightlines are good, my seats have always been comfortable, and the Dome's location is excellent in regards to the downtown area.

Sure, the Dome is the third-oldest stadium in use by an NFL team, but that doesn't mean it's ready for the wrecking ball. If more luxury boxes and premium seats are desired, go ahead and add them, but I see no need to build an entirely new stadium. Especially given the numerous issues surrounding the state/city finances.

The Dome is a great football stadium with alot of significant tradition. Beyond holding a special place in the hearts of Saints fans, great Super Bowl and Sugar Bowl games have taken place there. I'd like to see that tradition continue.

most realistic is to renovate the dome, i have season tickets and it is a dump!!!!

First off, if we have to buy a new stadium, I agree with whoever mentioned the no additional payments plan, and I would try to push to make it a place where people would want to spend the whole day tailgating etc.

I would rather see the dome renovated for the tradition, spirit, etc. I like that it is rough; its exactly like our team. Plus, moving the games outside of the city will move all of those jobs and all of the food and beverage dollars away from the city, which is one of the big positives of having an nfl team in your city. Maybe Benson wants to corner the action on food and stuff as well, who knows.

I want a new stadium, period. I want something more like what the old Tulane Stadium used to be. Really, there's no comparison. Games really lose something (for me) when they are indoors. Kinda like arena football.

Would you rather see a game in the Superdome or Death Valley? For me, that question is a no-brainer.

The Dome stinks. I won't attend another game in there, not unless the crew gets together to do a Black and Gold game there. It'll be HDTV for me from now on.

Unless they build a new stadium, that is....

The main problem with an outdoor stadium in South Louisiana is that 10 of the 17 weeks will be blistering hot (mid-90's), middle of the day, mosquitos swarming, and unbelievably humid. A sauna with mosquitos.

Your average fan would avoid it like the plaque.

No doubt. Hence a retractable roof.

Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec aren't as bad for weather, though obviously it'll rain a third of the games, and the mosquitos will be feasting regardless.

But back to which platform I support, football is an outdoor sport to me. With or without a retractable roof. Being in the rain (or even snow, or sub 30 temperatures, or mud, or sweltering heat) is part of the experience for me.

I don't claim to be the average fan, though. I know most family oriented groups would shy away from this.

But domes suck, in my opinion. They lose something critical. Might as well just watch it on TV.

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Here's some info regarding average temperatures observed in New Orleans during the past 50 years:

(http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0762183.html)

JAN - 52.6
APR - 68.2
JUL - 82.7
OCT - 70.0
DAYS OF PRECIPITATION - 114

Temperatures get pretty bearable, even nice around October, though it still rains one day outta three.

I for one love the dome. When the crowd gets into it and the noise level goes up it's great. I can understand the desire for an outside stadium but yeah that will hurt ticket sales to be in the heat and rain. and having a retractible roof puts you right back into a dome. I'd say renovate the Dome until a good long term deal can be worked out that doesn't bleed the taxpayers. Why should the state pay for a new stadium for one team? If benson shells out the cash then we wouldn't even have this disscussion.

I was all for rennovating the dome before Bensons last spew. Now i feel that there is no point in renovating the dome with 185 million dollars if it is only going to be good for 4 or 5 years before he starts *****ing again. I am for taking that money and raising more...having Benson kick in a little, and build a new retractable roof venue on the river attached to the convention center. I love the dome, but i love the Saints more.

I for one don't want a new stadium. Renovate the dome. People are in the building for 4 maybe 5 hours 10 (I wish it were more like 12 on a regular basis) times a year. The only complaint I've ever had about the place were the lack luster quality of the diamond vision screens. The league still loves the location for the Superbowl and everyone who visits has very few negative things to say about the place (I'm sure someone will say well why hasn't the city been awarded another one yet, and I believe its because the league has to stand behind its owners and not the quality of the dome)

Now for that average temperature listing :
Where did you find that info, cause it seems a little off. I think are those averages of day and night temps? Since it just didn't seem right, I had to look it up.
Month High Low
May 85 66
June 89 72
July 91 74
Aug 91 74
Sept 87 71
Oct 80 60
Nov 71 51
Dec 65 46

And lets not forget humidity. Now the dome on the other hand is always 72 degrees. And while a retractable roof would be great, often times it would be a game time decision, and I doubt that the AC would be able to cool the outdoor air in any reasonable amount of time, while it would also act to keep in the bugs.

Another issue is the destruction of wetlands it may require to build a new stadium. While I am not completly certain of the proposed location, I believe much like the Walmart on tchopitoulous some serious mitigation would be necessary to build (i.e. the same thing would happen if they built the airport in its current proposed location) In which case, the federal government would have another reason to say why should we help you rebuild wetlands when your destroying them to build stuff.

wouldn't mind a Reliant stadium, if you ever been there.....WOW, but we are not Houston so that is out the window. Would still rather a renovated Dome than a Half-A$$ed new stadium!!!

Progress, please note the line just above the temperature listings..... there's is a link to where temps were pulled from. And yes, they are averages. Not high/lows, or daily averages, or even monthly averages, but quarterly averages.

Regarding destruction of wetlands, the proposed area for the new stadium was the blighted area of Algiers, right up against the river. Didn't that used to be a project that got condemned? Fischer?

Fischer got condemned?? Damn, I've been gone only a couple years. Being a former West Banker, I'll have to pour a little liquor out tonight in Chucktown South Cakalaki. It just so happens I live next to the projects here too.

I previously said renovate the dome, but if the west side gets the new arena, I change to new stadium. Everybody loves bridge traffic especially thousands of people funneled into four lanes.

I agree completely. The problems with that area were many. There certainly aren't the business in the surrounding area that there are on Poydras and in the near-by French Quarter. Sure, larger lots and designated "tail-gating" areas could be built, but a stadium there would lose a lot of the ancillary benefits derived from a downtown stadium.

Obviously, as many mentioned, the traffic would be horrendous. I used to live in Algiers. Do you have any idea how bad traffic is on a normal work day over the GNO? You want to force 60,000 people across the 4 lane bridge to a one or maybe two lane exit? And then force them back through the toll bridge on the way back? Forget it.

That's assuming all 60,000 Saints fans live on the East Bank.... which doesn't sound reasonable. What's the population dispersal of fans attending games? Half and Half? 60/40? 70/30? I don't know. But games are held on Sundays, eliminating most business traffic. I think bridge traffic will remain near status quo, we'd just reverse the flow on the bridge, assuming the ratio is near 50/50. It'd take demographics to nail down the actuals. I would -hope- this was done in the proposal.

The original build proposal called not only for a stadium, but for tailgating areas, supporting businesses, and entertainment complexes surrounding the area. There's mucho blighted area to work with over there. That would be a major enhancement to poor Algiers. I realize that the proposed party area would not rival the Quarter, but it shouldn't be forgotten.

Personally, I'd probably tailgate before the game near the stadium, (and assuming we didn't get blown out too badly,) I'd probably party a bit around the stadium bars, then catch one of the ferries to the Quarter, party there a few more hours, then cab it home (as I live on the East Bank).

It's all wishful thinking. I know it'll never happen - it'd simply make too much economic sense for LA to ever implement it. 400+ million spent locally.... never happen.

Whatever happened to the proposal of tearing down the Iberville projects? Last I recall, weren't they moving people out of the projects and giving them some kind of vouchers to get apartments in the East and such? Has that stopped? Are people still living in the projects? I know this was years ago, but wasn't that the plan? I can still see the diagram in my head that Benson had of the proposed area. Traffic would be about the same if it was built in that area, and parking would be about the same. That's not too far from the dome.

I had heard of proposed lakefront and riverfront locations. So while its not of major concern, wetlands destruction may or may not become an issue.

Anyway, I was wondering about this when questioning the age of the Superdome. While I am not old enough to have ever experienced Tulane Stadium in its prime, I have heard many people talk about the stadium and its 80,000 + capacity. Now maybe its just nostalgia, but I have never heard anyone say anything negative about the place. I realize that 1975 was a completly different economic time in our history, but unless I am wrong, that year Tulane Stadium hosted a Superbowl. At the time the stadium was 49 years old (completed in 1926 and underwent many rennovations to get up to that 80,000+ seating cap). I guess it just made me think exactly what type of facility do we really need to enjoy a football game.

And one more thing that I haven't heard discussed yet. Benson's not only looking out for his economic future, he is trying to put his granddaughter in the best position he can possibly when she takes over the team. And I'd do the same for my family as well (within reason of course).