That wasn’t because it was a done, it was just a dump.
New Stadium Holding Up Team Sale?
- Thread starter Aircrew
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OP
OP
I'm not an engineer but I can chime in here. I've wondered the same thing but the challenge would be the 2000 building code/loads the stadium was built to. Building codes update, excessively and unnecessarily IMO, so the entire structure would have to be brought up to current code for anything like that to be done (staggeringly expensive). Then you have Washington State's energy code, also in the spirit of not getting political I'll just stop here. Then there's the issue that the existing stadium probably wasn't designed (as far as I know) to have a roof or be enclosed which introduces significantly increased lateral wind loading among other structural loads. Between structural and energy codes and original design intent, it would probably be too costly to retrofit Lumen. IMO, the only way you could cost effectively do it would be to build a roof system that covered and/or enclosed Lumen that was structurally independent of the stadium.
My .02
The structure was engineered for and overhang. Retractable roof changes load type and distribution, retrofit is likely no where near as simple as it may seem.
OP
OP
Totally agree, what a maintenance quagmire. Not to mention all the drunk fans..
If it were to be done, maybe just do the luxury suites? Have one small level that rotated around the field versus the entire stands?
Talk about cool.
Atradees
Well-known member
Stadium. lumen is a parking garage, with seats on top, a concourse for consessions and bathrooms. Is all that concrete now defunct? I doubt it . Leave it as is. The NFL doest have NBA style schemes to replace venues that I know of. Leave it alone!
Glasgow Seahawk
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If it needs renovated, maybe just redo the hawks nest into an actual stand and put suites there? The two main stands cannot be topped
keasley45
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I'd bet my career (i studied architecture ) that you can't modify Lumen to add a roof, retractable or otherwise.
Had two NFL franchises financing it
OP
OP
I'm with you, it's just not feasible. Tear it down and build new.
Wouldn’t it be easier to get rid of the hawks next and enclose the north end? That would add a bunch of seats if needed. College stadiums are constantly adding seating. Penn st has added like 30k over the last 20 years.
flv2
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Not true. The Chargers are merely renting the stadium, (at a nominal rate). They didn't contribute to the building cost in any significant way.
flv2
Well-known member
Soldier Field in Chicago has had multiple renovations and upgrades. Generally it isn't cost efficient to upgrade stadia. St. Louis was adjudicated to be $800M behind in upgrading the stadium before the Rams left. The St. Louis bid for a new stadium was around $350M. Back to Chicago - the Bears are leaving and whilst the stadium is part of the issue there are other, bigger issues. A new stadium in Seattle might still be 10-15 years away, but there will be other taxation and revenue-related issues. Essentially it's more complex than just new stadia funding.
Plus it was in the 2nd largest market in the country. Lots easier to raise private money there than someplace like Kansas City.
I was just answering a question. I wasn't trying to draw any conclusions or make an argument.
OP
OP
Fun fact: SoFi Stadium started out with a 1.8 to 2.6B budget but ended up taking 6B to complete...!
I've had a couple projects incur cost overruns, but jeeezzzuuuuzzzz
Amazing stadium, though, one of my favorite venues had it not been for the lack of nearby bars/restaurants. I was there for the Hawks-Rams game in the 2024 season, took a tour.
Think how much it would have cost had it been climate controlled or included a retractable roof.
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That's chump change for a guy like Balmer you feel me dawg!!!
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HagFaithful
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This is preposterous. We'd regret tearing down Lumen more than our uniform change of the early 2000's. Lumen is a dayum icon. Teams hate playing in Seattle. I care more about the stadium than the owner who buys it.
glenwo2
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FrodosFinger is hell-bent on putting that disturbing GIF in every thread it seems.
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Come on dawg it's kinda cute
Seahawker
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On average, 73% of the cost of new sports stadiums are publicly subsidized. With the way Washingtonians are presently taxed and will be in the future, it's hard to imagine a new stadium bill passing. Especially with Lumen Field being such a great venue and barely broke in.
I guess it will depend on how much a new owner wants to host SB's and generate multi-use revenue.
I don't think a roof is as big a deal as some do, Seattle weather is not Great Lakes frigid.
After 50 years of rooting for the Seahawks, I'd just like to see them merge the old & new uniforms and win a couple more Super Bowls before I die.
Maybe that's the way to gauge it, wait for most of the old school fan's to start dying off and then build a new stadium. Shouldn't be too long.
lol
I guess it will depend on how much a new owner wants to host SB's and generate multi-use revenue.
I don't think a roof is as big a deal as some do, Seattle weather is not Great Lakes frigid.
After 50 years of rooting for the Seahawks, I'd just like to see them merge the old & new uniforms and win a couple more Super Bowls before I die.
Maybe that's the way to gauge it, wait for most of the old school fan's to start dying off and then build a new stadium. Shouldn't be too long.
lol
