Sprint Arena Design is Complete - Page 5

jiveturkey · 08-18-2005, 01:04 PM

Sprint arena design revealed

By KEVIN COLLISON

The Kansas City Star

The final design of the Sprint Center arena, described as “a glistening jewel in the revitalization of downtown Kansas City,” was revealed at a City Council meeting today.

The drawings of the 18,500-seat arena planned for 14th Street and Grand Boulevard were presented by members of the Downtown Arena Design Team and showed a curvilinear building clad mostly in glass that will be transparent enough to allow views both into and out of the facility.

“From the beginning, we’ve based this design in the belief this building should represent Kansas City’s honesty, clarity, vision and the Midwestern values we all cherish,” said Brad Schrock, the lead arena designer, in a statement.

“The manipulation of the glass skin provides a one-of-a-kind events venue that will highlight Kansas City in a unique way.”

Whether the design matches the world-class expectations that Kansas City citizens had because of the language used to describe the project may be in the eye of the beholder. Voters approved funding for the arena a year ago following an expensive campaign spearheaded by Mayor Kay Barnes.

That approval led to a fierce competition between an all-star team of local sports architects that banned together to become the DADT, and a team made up of world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and Crawford Architects, a local firm.

The DADT team won the competition last fall by dazzling a city selection team with renderings that depicted a transparent arena design lit up with state-of-the-art electronics. That design, however, proved far more expensive than the $250 million budget allotted for the project, and a more muted version that shed the sharp angles and large roof replaced it.

The final design closely resembles a working design first seen by the public in May. At the time, it was described as a slightly “pillow-like” shape.

Brad Clark, another arena designer with the team, said the surface of the Sprint Center should be a fascinating and shifting display of light.

“The taut glass-skin wrapping the seating bowl and concourses will be an ever-changing tapestry as light plays across the surface,” Clark said in a statement. “The image will vary hour by hour as the color, intensity and quality of light change.

“At night, the building will become a beacon, marking its place in our new downtown.”

A final price tag did not accompany the final design. A schedule released by the DADT indicated a “guaranteed maximum price” won’t be finalized until October.

In a recent interview, City Manager Wayne Cauthen held out the prospect the budget could grow beyond the $250 million advertised to voters in last year’s election.

“If we come up with the budget and it doesn’t look like a quality facility,” Cauthen said, “then I think we as a city need to take a deep breath and say what do we really want?

“Do we want to just fit something in a $250 million budget or something we will be really proud of?”

The construction schedule calls for the facility to open in the third quarter of 2007, several months after Barnes originally had hoped. She had wanted the facility to be completed before she left office in March 2007, but that timetable became derailed because of delays in hiring a contractor and the slow pace of producing a final design.

The Sprint Center complex also will include a National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame sponsored by the locally based National Association of Basketball Coaches in a separate annex. That 40,000-square-foot facility will have interactive displays intended to make the experience more than a static exhibit of the history and personalities of the game.

Entry to the arena will be on two levels. The main entrance will be at the northwest corner of the site at 13th and Grand. The entry plaza will stretch nearly the full length of the Grand Boulevard frontage, combining paved areas with landscaping and a water feature.

The seven-level interior of the Sprint Center should be comparable to the finest professional sports arenas in America, according to the architects. The arena is designed to accommodate an NBA and/or NHL franchise as well as major college sporting events such as the NCAA basketball regionals.

“The seating bowl is intimate and ‘event focused,’ maximizing the numbers of patrons that can be seated close to the action,” said DADT architect Steve Allison in a statement.

“The concourses are voluminous and take full advantage of the dramatic views afforded by the glass skin,” said Rafael Garcia, another DADT architect, in a statement. “Throughout the Sprint Center people will experience fresh colors and carefully selected finishes that create cohesive and dynamic spaces.”

The city is partnering with Anschutz Entertainment Group of Los Angeles to build the arena. AEG is contributing $50 million to the project and will manage the facility in return. AEG also is responsible for any construction cost overruns. The company is leading the charge to recruit a major professional sports team to be the key tenant.

The Downtown Arena Design Team is made up of HOK, Sport+Venue+Event, Ellerbe Becket and 360 Architecture.

The Sprint Center will include 72 private suites. Other amenities include men’s and women’s restrooms at the main and upper concourse with an average of one fixture per 46 spectators. The entire building is 657,000-square feet.

It will seat 17,104 people for hockey; 18,449 for basketball; 14,444 for concerts with the stage on one end, and 18,954 people for concerts with a center stage.

For more information, read The Star tomorrow.

**morphius** · 08-19-2005, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlib Logiclost

Minimum 20K, NCAA finals, Dem or Rep convention etc.

With floor seating they could probably pretty easily reach the 20k you are talking about for a Rep or Dem convention.

**BigRedChief** · 08-19-2005, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beavis

Have you ever been in Kemper? If you didn't step on a beaver-sized rat, consider yourself lucky.

Oh I know its a dump. I just thought the new arena woulf be 25k or larger.

jiveturkey · 08-19-2005, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Oh I know its a dump. I just thought the new arena woulf be 25k or larger.

Do you know of any other arenas that are 25k or larger?

**Anyong Bluth** · 08-19-2005, 03:26 PM

The newer NBA and NHL arenas have been hovering around 20. They realized that if you got any larger it made it pretty hard to fill it up for the games and ended up making the venue seem pretty cavernous.

Seating numbers does not even begin to explain how this is a lifesaver regarding Kemper. I trust you are not familiar with the KC area if you think it is still servicable.

The Big 12 already said they would not renew any Big 12 tourneys if a solution was not found.

I would have liked just over 20k, but I remember hearing somewhere there is actually an option to remove more seating should more suites be in demand = more $$$ = better chance to field a competive team.

The sweetness of the situation is that AEG runs the operation and they will definately fast track top concerts and shows to their facilities.

Now if we can just get a downtown baseball stadium and either renovations at Arrowhead on par with Green Bay's renovation, including a retractable roof to accomodate Final Fours & a Super Bowl. The NCAA and NFL have been very receptive to these ideas given Lamar's clout and KC's college basketball history.

IF KCMO can't stop ****ing off and get their act together I say KS build the chiefs a new stadium out by the racetrack, and ensure future light rail accessability.

**BigRedChief** · 08-19-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

Do you know of any other arenas that are 25k or larger?

You missed the key words. I was thinking.
Get myself in trouble every time doing that.

**Anyong Bluth** · 08-19-2005, 03:32 PM

Here's a rundown of the seating sizes -

http://nbahoopsonline.com/History/Le...BA/Arenas.html

most of the teams hover around 20k - some as low as 15 and charlotte hornets are listed at 23k & change- we all saw how well that worked out.

I think the slightly lower seating numbers is okay and the extra suites are a real plus.

Here come the magic or the penguins. I'm leading to nba. KC is a basketball team and maybe down the road can grab a hockey team too.

**Bearcat** · 08-19-2005, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vckcchiefs04

I work downtown in the 1201 Walnut building so I'll get to watch them build the arena from bottom to top, just like I am currently watching the new H&R Block building seem like it gets a new floor on a daily basis. Downtown is growing fast. The entertainment district will be sweet when that is done..... and to be able to get off work, walk home and change, walk to the entertainment district and eat, then walk to the arena to watch a game, then walk back to the entertainment district to party in some of the clubs, then walk back home is something I am looking very forward to!

I work in City Center Square, and park in the garage attached to yours.... all the progress is beatiful. The H&R Block building is up to 10 I believe, and like you said, they seem to add a floor every day. The Jones Store will be down soon, which will be really.... weird.

On one hand, I don't want this job to last more than another year... yet, I'd love to work downtown in '07 so I can get off work and walk a couple of blocks to the entertainment district/arena... Guess I'll have to move down here one day....

**Anyong Bluth** · 08-19-2005, 03:35 PM

NHL - only 3 teams with 20k or more

http://host305.ipowerweb.com/~rauzul...hllisting.html

08-19-2005, 04:03 PM

Only if the casinos were concentrated next to the river right next door instead of spread all over river. It would have a vegas feel.

Why did that happen ?

**penguinz** · 08-19-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I still don't understand the small capacities. How doe sthis improve our lot as an attraction? Just because its new? 92 suites?

Location is a big thing also. How many hotels, restaurants and bars are within walking distance of Kemper?

Deberg_1990 · 08-19-2005, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguinz

Location is a big thing also. How many hotels, restaurants and bars are within walking distance of Kemper?

Kemper is a freakin dump......Whoever decided to put it in that laocation in 1974 should be shot.

VonneMarie · 08-19-2005, 05:14 PM

It's growing on me.

I'll guess we'll never get another FF with 18,500 seat arena.

ChiefsCountry · 08-19-2005, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VonneMarie

It's growing on me.

I'll guess we'll never get another FF with 18,500 seat arena.

No arena will get a final four. Its only dome stadiums anymore.

VonneMarie · 08-19-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

No arena will get a final four. Its only dome stadiums anymore.

Um, I was being a smart ass.

ChiefsCountry · 08-19-2005, 08:22 PM

Actually alot of people in college bb world think that the 75th Final Four will be in KC.

08-18-2005, 01:04 PM
jiveturkey Captain Kick Ass Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $9305197	Sprint Arena Design is Complete Sprint arena design revealed By KEVIN COLLISON The Kansas City Star The final design of the Sprint Center arena, described as “a glistening jewel in the revitalization of downtown Kansas City,” was revealed at a City Council meeting today. The drawings of the 18,500-seat arena planned for 14th Street and Grand Boulevard were presented by members of the Downtown Arena Design Team and showed a curvilinear building clad mostly in glass that will be transparent enough to allow views both into and out of the facility. “From the beginning, we’ve based this design in the belief this building should represent Kansas City’s honesty, clarity, vision and the Midwestern values we all cherish,” said Brad Schrock, the lead arena designer, in a statement. “The manipulation of the glass skin provides a one-of-a-kind events venue that will highlight Kansas City in a unique way.” Whether the design matches the world-class expectations that Kansas City citizens had because of the language used to describe the project may be in the eye of the beholder. Voters approved funding for the arena a year ago following an expensive campaign spearheaded by Mayor Kay Barnes. That approval led to a fierce competition between an all-star team of local sports architects that banned together to become the DADT, and a team made up of world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and Crawford Architects, a local firm. The DADT team won the competition last fall by dazzling a city selection team with renderings that depicted a transparent arena design lit up with state-of-the-art electronics. That design, however, proved far more expensive than the $250 million budget allotted for the project, and a more muted version that shed the sharp angles and large roof replaced it. The final design closely resembles a working design first seen by the public in May. At the time, it was described as a slightly “pillow-like” shape. Brad Clark, another arena designer with the team, said the surface of the Sprint Center should be a fascinating and shifting display of light. “The taut glass-skin wrapping the seating bowl and concourses will be an ever-changing tapestry as light plays across the surface,” Clark said in a statement. “The image will vary hour by hour as the color, intensity and quality of light change. “At night, the building will become a beacon, marking its place in our new downtown.” A final price tag did not accompany the final design. A schedule released by the DADT indicated a “guaranteed maximum price” won’t be finalized until October. In a recent interview, City Manager Wayne Cauthen held out the prospect the budget could grow beyond the $250 million advertised to voters in last year’s election. “If we come up with the budget and it doesn’t look like a quality facility,” Cauthen said, “then I think we as a city need to take a deep breath and say what do we really want? “Do we want to just fit something in a $250 million budget or something we will be really proud of?” The construction schedule calls for the facility to open in the third quarter of 2007, several months after Barnes originally had hoped. She had wanted the facility to be completed before she left office in March 2007, but that timetable became derailed because of delays in hiring a contractor and the slow pace of producing a final design. The Sprint Center complex also will include a National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame sponsored by the locally based National Association of Basketball Coaches in a separate annex. That 40,000-square-foot facility will have interactive displays intended to make the experience more than a static exhibit of the history and personalities of the game. Entry to the arena will be on two levels. The main entrance will be at the northwest corner of the site at 13th and Grand. The entry plaza will stretch nearly the full length of the Grand Boulevard frontage, combining paved areas with landscaping and a water feature. The seven-level interior of the Sprint Center should be comparable to the finest professional sports arenas in America, according to the architects. The arena is designed to accommodate an NBA and/or NHL franchise as well as major college sporting events such as the NCAA basketball regionals. “The seating bowl is intimate and ‘event focused,’ maximizing the numbers of patrons that can be seated close to the action,” said DADT architect Steve Allison in a statement. “The concourses are voluminous and take full advantage of the dramatic views afforded by the glass skin,” said Rafael Garcia, another DADT architect, in a statement. “Throughout the Sprint Center people will experience fresh colors and carefully selected finishes that create cohesive and dynamic spaces.” The city is partnering with Anschutz Entertainment Group of Los Angeles to build the arena. AEG is contributing $50 million to the project and will manage the facility in return. AEG also is responsible for any construction cost overruns. The company is leading the charge to recruit a major professional sports team to be the key tenant. The Downtown Arena Design Team is made up of HOK, Sport+Venue+Event, Ellerbe Becket and 360 Architecture. The Sprint Center will include 72 private suites. Other amenities include men’s and women’s restrooms at the main and upper concourse with an average of one fixture per 46 spectators. The entire building is 657,000-square feet. It will seat 17,104 people for hockey; 18,449 for basketball; 14,444 for concerts with the stage on one end, and 18,954 people for concerts with a center stage. For more information, read The Star tomorrow.
Posts: 5,781

08-19-2005, 03:26 PM	#64
Anyong Bluth Deus ambulans inter homines Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $9439340	The newer NBA and NHL arenas have been hovering around 20. They realized that if you got any larger it made it pretty hard to fill it up for the games and ended up making the venue seem pretty cavernous. Seating numbers does not even begin to explain how this is a lifesaver regarding Kemper. I trust you are not familiar with the KC area if you think it is still servicable. The Big 12 already said they would not renew any Big 12 tourneys if a solution was not found. I would have liked just over 20k, but I remember hearing somewhere there is actually an option to remove more seating should more suites be in demand = more $$$ = better chance to field a competive team. The sweetness of the situation is that AEG runs the operation and they will definately fast track top concerts and shows to their facilities. Now if we can just get a downtown baseball stadium and either renovations at Arrowhead on par with Green Bay's renovation, including a retractable roof to accomodate Final Fours & a Super Bowl. The NCAA and NFL have been very receptive to these ideas given Lamar's clout and KC's college basketball history. IF KCMO can't stop **ing off and get their act together I say KS build the chiefs a new stadium out by the racetrack, and ensure future light rail accessability. __________________ Suck it, beautiful**
Posts: 14,938

08-19-2005, 03:32 PM	#66
Anyong Bluth Deus ambulans inter homines Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $9439340	Here's a rundown of the seating sizes - http://nbahoopsonline.com/History/Le...BA/Arenas.html most of the teams hover around 20k - some as low as 15 and charlotte hornets are listed at 23k & change- we all saw how well that worked out. I think the slightly lower seating numbers is okay and the extra suites are a real plus. Here come the magic or the penguins. I'm leading to nba. KC is a basketball team and maybe down the road can grab a hockey team too. __________________ Suck it, *beautiful*
Posts: 14,938

08-19-2005, 03:35 PM	#68
Anyong Bluth Deus ambulans inter homines Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $9439340	NHL - only 3 teams with 20k or more http://host305.ipowerweb.com/~rauzul...hllisting.html __________________ Suck it, *beautiful*
Posts: 14,938

08-19-2005, 04:03 PM	#69
Ninjaman Guest Casino cash: $	Only if the casinos were concentrated next to the river right next door instead of spread all over river. It would have a vegas feel. Why did that happen ?
Posts: n/a

08-19-2005, 05:14 PM	#72
VonneMarie Don't look over here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10008987	It's growing on me. I'll guess we'll never get another FF with 18,500 seat arena.
Posts: 17,644

08-19-2005, 08:22 PM	#75
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1671248	Actually alot of people in college bb world think that the 75th Final Four will be in KC.
Posts: 52,214