Superdome's future to be determined........

JOESAM2002 · 09-13-2005, 08:15 PM

Updated: Sep. 13, 2005, 6:06 PM ET
Superdome's future to be determined after cleaningAssociated Press

NEW ORLEANS -- Experts will have to clean and decontaminate the Louisiana Superdome, which was wrecked while housing thousands of people seeking refuge from Hurricane Katrina, before the stadium's future can be determined, officials said Tuesday.

Superdome officials took their first post-Katrina look at the landmark stadium and the next-door New Orleans Arena on Friday.

Mounds of trash have been removed from the Superdome's concourses and the interior is still dark, waterlogged and vile smelling. The arena is in better shape, officials said.

"The first job is to get both buildings cleaned and decontaminated," said Glenn Menard, who manages both buildings. "Once we have that done we'll have the experts go in and tell us what can be done and what can't be done."

At first glance, the arena, where the NBA's New Orleans Hornets play their home games, does not appear to be badly damaged. Medical and special needs evacuees who were housed there following the hurricane stayed on concourses, leaving the rest of the building untouched. Flood waters that surrounded the Arena and Superdome after the storm, flooded the ground-floor locker rooms, Menard said.

The Superdome was a shelter of last resort during Katrina and thousands of evacuees were stranded there for several days. Toilets backed up and overflowed, the Dome Cafe and some offices were looted and trash was left behind as evacuees abandoned property. The condition of other areas, such as the luxury suites on the third and fourth levels, was not known since they were not inspected Friday, Menard said.

The roof sustained large gashes during the hurricane and the rubber coating that covered the huge dome was blown off. Water leaked throughout the building, flooding corridors outside the first-floor locker rooms and suites, pouring down elevator shafts, and sending water-logged acoustic tiles crashing onto soaked carpets.

Electricity went off during the hurricane and a generator powered only emergency lighting. There was no air conditioning and large areas of the building, including the bathrooms, were completely dark.

"There is substantial damage, but we have to wait to see what its long-term affect on the structure will be," Menard said.

Once the debris is removed, the building will have to be decontaminated before experts can determine what can be salvaged, Menard said.

"We have to make sure the building is safe before we can get anyone in there to access the damage," Menard said. "We hope to have a team in their in October so we can get a plan and decide what needs to be done."

Menard said it was too early to say how much the cleanup would cost -- or if the stadium could be salvaged. He said the stadium and arena are both insured.

"The engineers have to tell us how badly damaged the structure and systems were," Menard said. "Then we have to examine our options and the state's desires."

Any decision that did not involve restoring the Superdome would be an unpopular one, Menard said.

"Everyone has a Superdome story about being at an event in the building -- the Pope's visit, a concert, a sporting event, even their prom. I'm sure that love of the Dome will be part of any decision made about it," Menard said.

"It's been a part of the city's skyline for 30 years, I hope it will remain a part of the skyline."

09-13-2005, 08:15 PM	#1
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	Superdome's future to be determined........ Updated: Sep. 13, 2005, 6:06 PM ET Superdome's future to be determined after cleaningAssociated Press NEW ORLEANS -- Experts will have to clean and decontaminate the Louisiana Superdome, which was wrecked while housing thousands of people seeking refuge from Hurricane Katrina, before the stadium's future can be determined, officials said Tuesday. Superdome officials took their first post-Katrina look at the landmark stadium and the next-door New Orleans Arena on Friday. Mounds of trash have been removed from the Superdome's concourses and the interior is still dark, waterlogged and vile smelling. The arena is in better shape, officials said. "The first job is to get both buildings cleaned and decontaminated," said Glenn Menard, who manages both buildings. "Once we have that done we'll have the experts go in and tell us what can be done and what can't be done." At first glance, the arena, where the NBA's New Orleans Hornets play their home games, does not appear to be badly damaged. Medical and special needs evacuees who were housed there following the hurricane stayed on concourses, leaving the rest of the building untouched. Flood waters that surrounded the Arena and Superdome after the storm, flooded the ground-floor locker rooms, Menard said. The Superdome was a shelter of last resort during Katrina and thousands of evacuees were stranded there for several days. Toilets backed up and overflowed, the Dome Cafe and some offices were looted and trash was left behind as evacuees abandoned property. The condition of other areas, such as the luxury suites on the third and fourth levels, was not known since they were not inspected Friday, Menard said. The roof sustained large gashes during the hurricane and the rubber coating that covered the huge dome was blown off. Water leaked throughout the building, flooding corridors outside the first-floor locker rooms and suites, pouring down elevator shafts, and sending water-logged acoustic tiles crashing onto soaked carpets. Electricity went off during the hurricane and a generator powered only emergency lighting. There was no air conditioning and large areas of the building, including the bathrooms, were completely dark. "There is substantial damage, but we have to wait to see what its long-term affect on the structure will be," Menard said. Once the debris is removed, the building will have to be decontaminated before experts can determine what can be salvaged, Menard said. "We have to make sure the building is safe before we can get anyone in there to access the damage," Menard said. "We hope to have a team in their in October so we can get a plan and decide what needs to be done." Menard said it was too early to say how much the cleanup would cost -- or if the stadium could be salvaged. He said the stadium and arena are both insured. "The engineers have to tell us how badly damaged the structure and systems were," Menard said. "Then we have to examine our options and the state's desires." Any decision that did not involve restoring the Superdome would be an unpopular one, Menard said. "Everyone has a Superdome story about being at an event in the building -- the Pope's visit, a concert, a sporting event, even their prom. I'm sure that love of the Dome will be part of any decision made about it," Menard said. "It's been a part of the city's skyline for 30 years, I hope it will remain a part of the skyline."