I know this topic is a tired one, to say the least, but I want to chime-in again based upon yesterday's John Steigerwald column in the Pittsburgh Sports Report.
The area above the Petersen Center is probably the last parcel on the Pitt campus with enough acreage to build a small stadium. According to the conversation Steigerwald had with the designer from HBK (or whatever they're called, now), that parcel is large enough and is under the control of the university. I really believe that if this is a possibility, it must be explored, and if it it feasible, it should be executed.
For the moment let's assume (and I know it's a big assumption) that it's found to be feasible and reasonable from a cost standpoint. The problem that would have to be tackled within the design is the movement of people to and from the stadium on game days. If you've ever tried getting to the top of the hill for a men's basketball game at the Pete, you'll know how difficult it is to gain access to that part of the campus. With a potential 40K people going to/from that spot in a somewhat simultaneous fashion, the congestion would be unbearable. We were able to get to Pitt Stadium but of course there was parking available above it, on the very site now being talked about for a new stadium. However, it was always uncomfortable walking up the hills to get there - certainly not ideal and definitely not fun.
So - I think the university could come up with a "fun" way to get people to the top of the hill that would not only be functional, but could also become a beloved game day feature. I don't have a fully -formed concept, but something like the trolley cars in San Francisco could be the conveyance vehicles taking people up the hill. Definitely not school buses or even charter buses, but something that people could jump on and off. Or maybe an elevated rail system...but something that would be unique and easily accessible. And perhaps that system could approach the top of the hill from both sides...that is - from the Fifth Avenue side and also from the side that runs below the Cost Center.
Anyway - if that 40K stadium can be built for $250K or so, it's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned, but the key to it's success will be the movement of people. (Of course a winning football program will help quite a bit, too!) Surely there have to be some folks within our own university system who can develop some interesting ideas to move people to the top of the hill that will be efficient and also fun.
Let's go Pitt...we can do this!
The area above the Petersen Center is probably the last parcel on the Pitt campus with enough acreage to build a small stadium. According to the conversation Steigerwald had with the designer from HBK (or whatever they're called, now), that parcel is large enough and is under the control of the university. I really believe that if this is a possibility, it must be explored, and if it it feasible, it should be executed.
For the moment let's assume (and I know it's a big assumption) that it's found to be feasible and reasonable from a cost standpoint. The problem that would have to be tackled within the design is the movement of people to and from the stadium on game days. If you've ever tried getting to the top of the hill for a men's basketball game at the Pete, you'll know how difficult it is to gain access to that part of the campus. With a potential 40K people going to/from that spot in a somewhat simultaneous fashion, the congestion would be unbearable. We were able to get to Pitt Stadium but of course there was parking available above it, on the very site now being talked about for a new stadium. However, it was always uncomfortable walking up the hills to get there - certainly not ideal and definitely not fun.
So - I think the university could come up with a "fun" way to get people to the top of the hill that would not only be functional, but could also become a beloved game day feature. I don't have a fully -formed concept, but something like the trolley cars in San Francisco could be the conveyance vehicles taking people up the hill. Definitely not school buses or even charter buses, but something that people could jump on and off. Or maybe an elevated rail system...but something that would be unique and easily accessible. And perhaps that system could approach the top of the hill from both sides...that is - from the Fifth Avenue side and also from the side that runs below the Cost Center.
Anyway - if that 40K stadium can be built for $250K or so, it's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned, but the key to it's success will be the movement of people. (Of course a winning football program will help quite a bit, too!) Surely there have to be some folks within our own university system who can develop some interesting ideas to move people to the top of the hill that will be efficient and also fun.
Let's go Pitt...we can do this!
