Renovations at U.S. Cellular Field, Part II

[soxrepublican]

Originally Posted by JNS

I'm gonna try to get over there with a camera in the next couple of days to see if I can get a clearer shot of what it looks like now.

Please do.

[PalehosePlanet]

Originally Posted by Thome25

Now while I mostly disagree with ANY commentary on the Cell because I think it's a beautiful ballpark I have to agree with the writer's opinion that the ramps were obstructing fans from really seeing how good the front of the stadium looks.

The recent side by side comparison pics confirm this IMHO.

*Fixed the link--it works now.

Yeah, I agree, but won't the new structure, when built, end up blocking the view anyway?

[Lundind1]

Originally Posted by JNS

I'm gonna try to get over there with a camera in the next couple of days to see if I can get a clearer shot of what it looks like now.

Nothing. Since I posted the last set of pics, there has been nothing going on there. The last of work was completed right around Thanksgiving and there has been no progress. The finish work on the clearing has been completed and now it is up to the GC to get in there to commence construction. It should be noted that nothing can be done until the permits have been completed.

[JNS]

Originally Posted by Lundind1

Nothing. Since I posted the last set of pics, there has been nothing going on there. The last of work was completed right around Thanksgiving and there has been no progress. The finish work on the clearing has been completed and now it is up to the GC to get in there to commence construction. It should be noted that nothing can be done until the permits have been completed.

Thanks - plus the weather has made me outdoors-averse. I'm too lazy and tired - from pushing neighbors cars for several days - to head over there and get out of the car and take pix. But as soon as things moderate slightly, I will.

PROMISE!

[sox102]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

The city has halted work on the new ramp. Apparently, they do not have the permits needed to build a new one yet, just the permits to knock down the old one.

We heard the same thing. Our Project Manager has been down there a few times the last couple weeks. I think all of our material is on order and we should be on schedule. We know this won't affect the end date, which never changes, so it might be an even tighter schedule.

[whitesox901]

anyone know if there is any recent updates/pics?

[Frontman]

Originally Posted by whitesox901

anyone know if there is any recent updates/pics?

Nothing from my (pardon the pun) front. By brother hasn't been there in a while to get photos. Then again, there are a few more months before the ballpark will be in use; so he still could do some work there prior to this season.

[Lundind1]

I've got really nothing huge going on here. The general contractor has started work on the new structure. The utilities are being run right now from the corner of 35th and Shields, which is the only visible change right now; even that is just a big hole in the ground. There was some concrete pumping occuring the past few days for the foundation structure and all the remaining piles of busted concrete are being hauled off. Other than that, there is nothing worth taking pictures of for me because there is no realy visible change to the park.

I promise to get more pictures as soon as there comes even a slight physical change to the gate 5 area.

One last thing, there was some concrete pumping going on at gate 6 early last week before New Years. It was just some minor work going on in the tunnel underneath the stands....just standard maintenance.

More to come when it comes available.

[Lundind1]

There are some renovations going on inside the park right now, something that I was not aware of. The Suite levels are getting redone right now. Just new bathrooms, carpeting, and they are redoing the seating inside the glass.

The thing that I love about all this is the White Sox and ISFA realize that you have to put the money back into facilities to keep the park nice for long periods of time.

[skobabe8]

Originally Posted by Lundind1

There are some renovations going on inside the park right now, something that I was not aware of. The Suite levels are getting redone right now. Just new bathrooms, carpeting, and they are redoing the seating inside the glass.

The thing that I love about all this is the White Sox and ISFA realize that you have to put the money back into facilities to keep the park nice for long periods of time.

Is there any chance they are doing something with the suites that never get used?

[Lundind1]

Originally Posted by skobabe8

Is there any chance they are doing something with the suites that never get used?

To my knowledge of their ticketing practices, they have ton's of them sold for big corporations. They have to sign a contract to lease them for a certain amount of time.

The other are used for day of game rentals. I know a STH I get a few emails a year about getting one for single game use. Cubs/Sox is one I have always kicked around getting but it would cost me about $200 per person if I wanted free flowing booze and AYCE.

I know that a few year ago they moved the Press area into the upper level suite area down the RF line to put the Beam Club behind Home. Also they installed a large suite section down the LF line for the Terrace Suite and Miller Light Party Deck. There are a few suites closer to home on that same level that are "empty" but those are used by Levy Restaurants for support areas for the Suite Attendants.

I know that for most games, almost all the suites are at least sold, they may go unused but the Sox are still capitalizing on them.

[skobabe8]

Originally Posted by Lundind1

To my knowledge of their ticketing practices, they have ton's of them sold for big corporations. They have to sign a contract to lease them for a certain amount of time.

The other are used for day of game rentals. I know a STH I get a few emails a year about getting one for single game use. Cubs/Sox is one I have always kicked around getting but it would cost me about $200 per person if I wanted free flowing booze and AYCE.

I know that a few year ago they moved the Press area into the upper level suite area down the RF line to put the Beam Club behind Home. Also they installed a large suite section down the LF line for the Terrace Suite and Miller Light Party Deck. There are a few suites closer to home on that same level that are "empty" but those are used by Levy Restaurants for support areas for the Suite Attendants.

I know that for most games, almost all the suites are at least sold, they may go unused but the Sox are still capitalizing on them.

I get the same emails you do, and for most games I attend I see suites down the lines empty. Even for the premier games and high demand games, suites seem always available. I was always hoping for those spaces to be turned into space that can be used for any ticket holder, but if it is true the Sox are making money on all of them then I can see why things would not change.

[Lundind1]

Originally Posted by skobabe8

I get the same emails you do, and for most games I attend I see suites down the lines empty. Even for the premier games and high demand games, suites seem always available. I was always hoping for those spaces to be turned into space that can be used for any ticket holder, but if it is true the Sox are making money on all of them then I can see why things would not change.

I was in the Beam club a bunch of times last season and each door has a number, a name, and most of them have a company name underneath that. Almost all of them have at least a persons name on them.

Last season, I was also walking around the upper level suite area, the 4th level....right by KW and Reinsdorf's suites and those are all occupied. As I said before, the upper level suites down the RF line are almost completely occupied by the new press area.

As for single game suites, my rep told me that they only had about 5 of them for single game purchase.

I would love to get some AYCE seats for games or for my season package. Some teams are going to certain seating sections or vouchers that you exchange for a wristband so you can get as many hotdogs, pizza, soda, etc. that you would want. I am in the premium upper box area and would love to have that option with my tickets.

[Region Rat]

Questions:

1. Isn't the new **** they are building going to cover the face of the park right back up?


2. Whitesox901, those before and after pictures have been deleted by photobucket, anyway you can bring em back up? ...or anyone else have pics?

[Lundind1]

Just a quick note. The construction began then quit, then started back up. The first screwup was the permiting on the construction. The second delay was you can't pour a good foundation with a high temp of -3 and a windchill of -25. As it is right now, they have to take it slow and are blanketing everything. The lights are on and work is continuing later into the night and weekends to get this thing done.

I will get you pictures as progress and things become more visible, probably in the next week.