Acrisure Stadium upgrade?

[cbpitt2]

Is a major renovation or new stadium in the works for the Steelers?

It’s been 23 years since Heinz Field, now Acrisure Stadium opened. Could a major renovation or even a new stadium be coming sooner than later?

www.audacy.com

 

[DanMarinoFan1970]

Place been a cheap dump since day 1

 

[HailToPitt725]

Honestly, what more can they do with current stadium? Sure, you can replace the seats and renovate the suites and all that stuff. But they’re pretty much landlocked as far as major additions to the stadium go. Perhaps they can extend the south concourse out towards the grass and create some sort of entertainment space? If they have to take seating out of the lower level to expand the suites, maybe they can wrap the upper deck around the whole way to make up for it?

Other than that, it pretty much is what’s it’s going to be unless you want to have the roof talk. And in that case, I think they’d probably just ask for a new stadium altogether.

 

[pittdan77]

Only way the Steelers aren't playing on the North Shore is if the Rooney family figures out a way to make even more money with the land.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

Place been a cheap dump since day 1

amazing how they built this right with PNC and how one is an absolute gem, 20+ years later and the other was bare bones minimum from day one.

 

[BreakingPitt]

amazing how they built this right with PNC and how one is an absolute gem, 20+ years later and the other was bare bones minimum from day one.

yeah, anyone that thinks PNC Park is leaving within another 25 years is wrong.
Three Rivers was a cookie cutter stadium, PNC Park is perfect for the Pirates.
Steelers will probably get a major renovation within 7 years but they aren't moving from the North Side.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

the crazy investment around the north shore was built around the steelers being there.. i agree with most of you, steelers arent leaving.

the original question is, what major renovations to accrisure can be done? I went to pirate game on friday (awful game but nice night) and noticed many changes within pnc. wouldnt call them "Major renovations" but just a ton of changes..

a few more open bars in the outfield. the right center seats were gone, etc. i dont know if you can even do that at Accrisure. they had an open bar, standing place behind the one end zone and got rid of it for more seating about 7-8 years ago, pnc basically did the opposite..

the only renovation would be to close the open end but the open end with the view of the skyline is one of it's few positive appeals..

 

[303vND]

Place been a cheap dump since day 1

Yep...it's a chit hole compared to stadiums built during that timeframe(sans Washington's stadium).

 

[pittchagg]

the crazy investment around the north shore was built around the steelers being there.. i agree with most of you, steelers arent leaving.

the original question is, what major renovations to accrisure can be done? I went to pirate game on friday (awful game but nice night) and noticed many changes within pnc. wouldnt call them "Major renovations" but just a ton of changes..

a few more open bars in the outfield. the right center seats were gone, etc. i dont know if you can even do that at Accrisure. they had an open bar, standing place behind the one end zone and got rid of it for more seating about 7-8 years ago, pnc basically did the opposite..

the only renovation would be to close the open end but the open end with the view of the skyline is one of it's few positive appeals..

I think you could do a renovation that’s basically a whole new upper deck on all three sides, everything from the main concourse up. New and more suites, another scoreboard on the north side, The upper deck on both sides and the north side are basically glorified bleachers, anyway. You could also close off the two corners separating the upper deck from the north deck.

There’s also some street-level stuff they can do, either in the casino side or the parking lot side. Similar to how PNC Park has a bunch of street-level stuff on the Federal Street side all the way to the Clemente Bridge. As more surface lots for tailgating get repurposed, I’m sure there’s a desire to move those people out of their cars and close to the stadium - whether it’s a bar integrated in the stadium or adjacent to it that’s accessible at street level.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

The Bengals stadium is even cheaper if you can believe that. Cleveland's stadium is "meh". I like Charlotte's.

 

[Dan1911]

Morehouse was promoted to strategist. The Steelers want a new stadium and pressure is about to be applied.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

major renovations at ravens stadium. basically better scoreboards, better speakers, improved escalators and elevators and sweet azz bars in the club sections. i mean great but doesnt exactly move the needle to most fans i wouldnt think..

the speakers seem fine to me, scoreboard is decent but i am one of those weirdo fans that when im at the stadium, i watch the game on the field. a nicer bar in the club section? Ok, accrisure could use that but again, im at the stadium, i'll probably be watching the game on the field. i can watch the game at a bar, im not buying a ticket to do so for 12 miller lite drafts.

M&T Bank Stadium Renovation Completed - Football Stadium Digest

The Baltimore Ravens have achieved a milestone, completing their three-year, $120 million self-funded renovation to M&T Bank Stadium.

footballstadiumdigest.com

 

[pittchagg]

Morehouse was promoted to strategist. The Steelers want a new stadium and pressure is about to be applied.

I think they’re more interested in a new facility than a new stadium. I think they want a big stadium renovation and a new facility.

 

[Panther Holla]

Morehouse was promoted to strategist. The Steelers want a new stadium and pressure is about to be applied.

I agree, and then some. Steelers will extort SS upgrades AND a new stadium from the taxpayers.cThing is, where would a new stadium be located? Looking at an aerial map, the nearest plot of land is somewhere NW of Heinz in the Chateau area, north of North Avenue. Wide flat land Full of commercial properties. The subway could easily extend out that way. But forget about the coziness of a stroll from downtown to the stadium. I don’t see another parcel unless they level the AE amphitheater.

 

[303vND]

I agree, and then some. Steelers will extort SS upgrades AND a new stadium from the taxpayers.cThing is, where would a new stadium be located? Looking at an aerial map, the nearest plot of land is somewhere NW of Heinz in the Chateau area, north of North Avenue. Wide flat land Full of commercial properties. The subway could easily extend out that way. But forget about the coziness of a stroll from downtown to the stadium. I don’t see another parcel unless they level the AE amphitheater.

I heard some people mentioning moving outside of the city...like Cranberry.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

I heard some people mentioning moving outside of the city...like Cranberry.

lol, or butler. or washington county. i've heard the same, dating back to the late 80s.. and when that happens, the city officials will hand over the keys to accrisure to pitt free of charge, not wanting the millions in tax revenue that land in the north shore will bring. since city officials love pitt so much..


we will get a tram system from downtown to the airport before steelers leave the north shore.

 

[HailToPitt725]

I agree, and then some. Steelers will extort SS upgrades AND a new stadium from the taxpayers.cThing is, where would a new stadium be located? Looking at an aerial map, the nearest plot of land is somewhere NW of Heinz in the Chateau area, north of North Avenue. Wide flat land Full of commercial properties. The subway could easily extend out that way. But forget about the coziness of a stroll from downtown to the stadium. I don’t see another parcel unless they level the AE amphitheater.

I think the likely solution would be to tear down Heinz and have Pitt/ Steelers play at PNC while a new stadium is built on the existing location. This appears to be what the Browns will do with their stadium.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

I think the likely solution would be to tear down Heinz and have Pitt/ Steelers play at PNC while a new stadium is built on the existing location. This appears to be what the Browns will do with their stadium.

steelers and pitt football games, on a baseball field, would be pretty bad. amateur, mickey-mouse type set up. ok/acceptable for a bowl game attended by 25k people in late december but for a season or two, for an NFL team, it would be a bad bad look...

You cant run it straight out from home plate to center field. You'd have to run it either down the first base or third base line and put up bleachers.... Portable bleachers are ok if you are duquesne, not so much for an nfl franchise IMO.

 

[HailToPitt725]

steelers and pitt football games, on a baseball field, would be pretty bad. amateur, mickey-mouse type set up. ok/acceptable for a bowl game attended by 25k people in late december but for a season or two, for an NFL team, it would be a bad bad look...

You cant run it straight out from home plate to center field. You'd have to run it either down the first base or third base line and put up bleachers.... Portable bleachers are ok if you are duquesne, not so much for an nfl franchise IMO.

I don’t disagree. Ideally, they could renovate the stadium in phases so that they could continue playing there while it’s going on. But if not, what other options do they have? The NFL was fine with the Chargers playing in an MLS stadium while SoFi was being built. Perhaps the Steelers would play at Beaver Stadium for a year or two. This is where not having our own stadium really hurts us.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

I don’t disagree. Ideally, they could renovate the stadium in phases so that they could continue playing there while it’s going on. But if not, what other options do they have? The NFL was fine with the Chargers playing in an MLS stadium while SoFi was being built. Perhaps the Steelers would play at Beaver Stadium for a year or two. This is where not having our own stadium really hurts us.

yeah, i have reasons why they shouldnt and will knock every option down but you are right, i dont have a better solution myself..

i'd root against (Not an exaggeration) the steelers if they ever played at beaver or morgantown stadium. i am a die hard fan and i kid you not, i'd openly and passionately root aganst them. and yes, i know, they couldnt care less if i root against them.

 

[HailToPitt725]

yeah, i have reasons why they shouldnt and will knock every option down but you are right, i dont have a better solution myself..

i'd root against (Not an exaggeration) the steelers if they ever played at beaver or morgantown stadium. i am a die hard fan and i kid you not, i'd openly and passionately root aganst them. and yes, i know, they couldnt care less if i root against them.

I’d still root for them, but I think Pitt fans who turned against the Steelers (at least for those one or two seasons) would have valid complaints. It’d definitely feel like a slap in the face.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

I’d still root for them, but I think Pitt fans who turned against the Steelers (at least for those one or two seasons) would have valid complaints. It’d definitely feel like a slap in the face.

yeah, who the hell am i kidding. i'd be rooting like heck for them, especially with KP at QB. but i'd feel a tad bit of guilt about it.

 

[303vND]

yeah, i have reasons why they shouldnt and will knock every option down but you are right, i dont have a better solution myself..

i'd root against (Not an exaggeration) the steelers if they ever played at beaver or morgantown stadium. i am a die hard fan and i kid you not, i'd openly and passionately root aganst them. and yes, i know, they couldnt care less if i root against them.

I'm right there with you Zeldas!

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Not to sound like SMF…but it’s not a crazy idea to renovate the stadium in a way that they’d only miss one season by doing it in phases like the St Louis Cardinals did or Real Madrid. The Steelers are a franchise that could do a world tour and easily fill stadiums in places like Monterrey, Mexico City, Alabama, Orlando, Munich, Ireland, etc. Yinzers around the world would plan vacations and dump their savings into such trips.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

Not to sound like SMF…but it’s not a crazy idea to renovate the stadium in a way that they’d only miss one season by doing it in phases like the St Louis Cardinals did or Real Madrid. The Steelers are a franchise that could do a world tour and easily fill stadiums in places like Monterrey, Mexico City, Alabama, Orlando, Munich, Ireland, etc. Yinzers around the world would plan vacations and dump their savings into such trips.

SMF, give FK his phone back..

 

[Fk_Pitt]

SMF, give FK his phone back..

That’s funny…but it’s only 8 games. I don’t think it’s complicated. Beats playing in state college or Morgantown.

 

[happjack]

The Tennessee Titans are getting almost $1.3 billion in city/state tax payer money for their new stadium, I can't see the Steelers getting anywhere near that unless the Eagles and Ped State also are looking for stadium money.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

nfl billionaire owners and colleges who make 100m+ in football revenue, asking the state for money for a new stadium that isnt needed. all under the fake premise that having an nfl team in their city rakes in millions (which has been debunked decades ago).

and it works, lol. that's the sad part about it. it works.

what will a new stadium bring? Bigger luxury boxes with bigger scoreboards will just bring in more revenue to franchise owners where none of it will go to the people who pay for it. .

 

[ddc17]

being able to walk around the entire concourse on the lower level would seem like a good place to start.

 

[Saboteur II]

lol, or butler. or washington county. i've heard the same, dating back to the late 80s.. and when that happens, the city officials will hand over the keys to accrisure to pitt free of charge, not wanting the millions in tax revenue that land in the north shore will bring. since city officials love pitt so much..


we will get a tram system from downtown to the airport before steelers leave the north shore.

Oh…the millions spent on that busway hasn’t done the trick?

 

[OH Pete]

I think you could do a renovation that’s basically a whole new upper deck on all three sides, everything from the main concourse up. New and more suites, another scoreboard on the north side, The upper deck on both sides and the north side are basically glorified bleachers, anyway. You could also close off the two corners separating the upper deck from the north deck.

There’s also some street-level stuff they can do, either in the casino side or the parking lot side. Similar to how PNC Park has a bunch of street-level stuff on the Federal Street side all the way to the Clemente Bridge. As more surface lots for tailgating get repurposed, I’m sure there’s a desire to move those people out of their cars and close to the stadium - whether it’s a bar integrated in the stadium or adjacent to it that’s accessible at street level.

They need more than 1 escalator on each side. . Big cluster F getting in and out. I'm not sure how there isn't some sort of building code that it violates. Seems like there should be a law that says that the stadium should be able to be evacuated within "x" number of minutes by reasonably capable people with separate egress for those who are not reasonably capable. Unless that "x" is over 45, Acrisure would fail.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

They need more than 1 escalator on each side. . Big cluster F getting in and out. I'm not sure how there isn't some sort of building code that it violates. Seems like there should be a law that says that the stadium should be able to be evacuated within "x" number of minutes by reasonably capable people with separate egress for those who are not reasonably capable. Unless that "x" is over 45, Acrisure would fail.

i watched a video of an escalator giving way after a sporting event on youtube i think. it was awful. im walking around the damn rotunda from here on out.

i dont even think it was in America either. still, not doing it.

 

[OH Pete]

i watched a video of an escalator giving way after a sporting event on youtube i think. it was awful. im walking around the damn rotunda from here on out.

i dont even think it was in America either. still, not doing it.

I usually do as well. I need the exercise.

The whole set up just seems like a giant safety hazard to me though. If there were ever a reason to need to get out quickly, we are likely all screwed.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Infrastructure neglected for decades, wages not keeping up with inflation, and billionaire owners bending regions over and sticking them in the arse. It’s nothing more than more transfer of wealth to the wealthy off the backs of the middle class. And I bet if you polled yinzers, a majority would be all for it.

I thought I heard today that only 3 stadiums were completely privately financed, and one was Bob Krafts stadium. I thought I didn’t like that guy but I dislike him a little now.

 

[OH Pete]

Infrastructure neglected for decades, wages not keeping up with inflation, and billionaire owners bending regions over and sticking them in the arse. It’s nothing more than more transfer of wealth to the wealthy off the backs of the middle class. And I bet if you polled yinzers, a majority would be all for it.

I thought I heard today that only 3 stadiums were completely privately financed, and one was Bob Krafts stadium. I thought I didn’t like that guy but I dislike him a little now.

Bob Kraft had the money for his stadium because he was so frugal with his prostitutes.

 

[DanMarinoFan1970]

nfl billionaire owners and colleges who make 100m+ in football revenue, asking the state for money for a new stadium that isnt needed. all under the fake premise that having an nfl team in their city rakes in millions (which has been debunked decades ago).

and it works, lol. that's the sad part about it. it works.

what will a new stadium bring? Bigger luxury boxes with bigger scoreboards will just bring in more revenue to franchise owners where none of it will go to the people who pay for it. .

I say the same about greedy ass tax payer funded colleges

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

I say the same about greedy ass tax payer funded colleges

like Pitt?

 

[Burgh15]

Some thoughts:
1. Those of you who think it's a "dump" are out of touch.
2. New stadiums and MAJOR renovations only focus on the club and mainly luxury seating options. It maximizes the revenue from those types of seats and really doesn't improve the fan experience of the general seating area.
3. What could be improved? Concession lines are slow, but that could be streamlined with workers who know what's going on. Bathroom lines are slow, but half of that is because people stand in the hall and make a line for one urinal rather than use the entire restroom area.
4. An expensive upgrade that won't happen that I'd like is open concourses like PNC Park.
5. The North Shore is built up and you'd lose all of that. Suburban stadiums suck. You're completely removed from the energy. Heinz Field is relatively easy to get to with plenty of parking options near the stadium or downtown. You can drive, walk, ride the T, or the Gateway Clipper to the game. There's tailgating in parking lots and on the river. Out-of-town visitors can stay downtown and enjoy the area as well as the Strip District. Let's talk about how awesome it'd be to stay at the Fairfield in in Cranberry, go to some generic chain restaurants with no local options, and get ripped off paying a minimum of $50 to park with no other options. Lame.

 

[ninetime]

I don’t disagree. Ideally, they could renovate the stadium in phases so that they could continue playing there while it’s going on. But if not, what other options do they have? The NFL was fine with the Chargers playing in an MLS stadium while SoFi was being built. Perhaps the Steelers would play at Beaver Stadium for a year or two. This is where not having our own stadium really hurts us.

They could play at Mountaineer Field. The Bears played at Illinois when Soldier Field was renovated a few years ago. Shorter drive to M’town from Pittsburgh than from Chicago to Champaign.

 

[BreakingPitt]

They would play on my street and pause the game every time a car came before they played in Morgantown.