Sprint Arena Design is Complete - Page 4

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.

cookster50 · 08-18-2005, 07:44 PM

I kinda think it is ugly, but hey, that's just my opinion. For pics and stuff, yourkcarena.com

jiveturkey · 08-18-2005, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlib Logiclost

Stupid, stupid stupid, how the hell can they be so stupid. That is a totally inadequate number of seats if they want to hold future major events.

It is beautiful though.

I don't understand this line of thinking.

The Lakers play in a 19.5k arena and they're in LA. The Heat play in a 16.5k arena. The Pistons are in the largest arena and they're only at 22k.

How big should they have gone and for what purposes?

Logical · 08-18-2005, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

I don't understand this line of thinking.

The Lakers play in a 19.5k arena and they're in LA. The Heat play in a 16.5k arena. The Pistons are in the largest arena and they're only at 22k.

How big should they have gone and for what purposes?

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

jiveturkey · 08-18-2005, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlib Logiclost

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

That would mean that only 6 NBA arenas qualify.

01 Detroit Pistons. . . . .Palace Of Auburn Hills. . . . . 22,076
02 Chicago Bulls. . . . . .United Center. . . . . . . . . . 21,711
03 Washington Wizards. . . MCI Center. . . . . . . . . .20,674
04 Cleveland Cavaliers. . .Gund Arena. . . . . . . . . . .20,562
05 Philadelphia 76ers. . . First Union Center. . . . . . . 20,444
06 New Jersey Nets. . . . Continental Airlines Arena. . 20,049

Everyone else is sub 20k except for the cities with domes.

18.5k seems about right to me and a retractable roof football stadium would make it all a moot point.

Chiefsrocker · 08-18-2005, 08:17 PM

The sky is really blue, and there isn't any traffic or parked cars anywhere!!

KCFalcon59 · 08-18-2005, 08:32 PM

Anything less than 25,000 capacity is a collosal waste of money.

KingPriest2 · 08-19-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Kemper Arena

Capacites:
In-the-round: 18,000

End-Stage: 16,543

Half-house: 9,546

Hockey: 12,324

Not a lot bigger capacity is it? How are we suppose to attrract the NCAA? Suites?

Kemper Arena holds 18,344 for concerts, 17,647 for hockey and 17,585 for soccer games. Kemper Arena is home to the Kansas City Comets, members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Other events held in Kemper Arena include the NCAA Regional Tournament, the Big 12 Basketball Tournament, family shows, concerts and the annual American R

**Bob Dole** · 08-19-2005, 02:53 PM

Bob Dole sure hopes they keep the puke green seats. Those are SWEET!

**Dave Lane** · 08-19-2005, 02:54 PM

me likey...

Dave

**BigRedChief** · 08-19-2005, 02:55 PM

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

jiveturkey · 08-19-2005, 03:02 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?

A lot of people seem to be having problems with this.

It's an arena and not a domed football stadium. 18k is a good capacity for a city of this size.

**BigRedChief** · 08-19-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

A lot of people seem to be having problems with this.

It's an arena and not a domed football stadium. 18k is a good capacity for a city of this size.

Okay so we already have that capacity at Kemper.

jiveturkey · 08-19-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Okay so we already have that capacity at Kemper.

This arena brings state of the art facilities. Wide concourses, lots of bathrooms, lots of suites, high tech sound capabilities for high dollar concerts, modern day locker room and dressing room facilities. Without these we cannot attract a pro team or quality concerts.

Kemper has a floor and some seats and that's about it.

beavis · 08-19-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Okay so we already have that capacity at Kemper.

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

08-19-2005, 03:14 PM

18k to 20k mentioned here.

http://www.visitkc.com/meeting_plann...int_center.htm

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

08-18-2005, 07:44 PM	#46
cookster50 Supreme Commander of My House Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $-116378	I kinda think it is ugly, but hey, that's just my opinion. For pics and stuff, yourkcarena.com
Posts: 3,446

08-18-2005, 08:17 PM	#50
Chiefsrocker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Axtell, Kansas Casino cash: $10004900	The sky is really blue, and there isn't any traffic or parked cars anywhere!!
Posts: 211

08-18-2005, 08:32 PM	#51
KCFalcon59 MVP Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Topeka, Kansas Casino cash: $-510000	Anything less than 25,000 capacity is a collosal waste of money.
Posts: 6,797

08-19-2005, 02:53 PM	#53
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $-1414563	Bob Dole sure hopes they keep the puke green seats. Those are SWEET!
Posts: 51,641

08-19-2005, 02:54 PM	#54
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	me likey... Dave __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584

08-19-2005, 02:55 PM	#55
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-871038 VARSITY	I still don't understand the small capacities. How doe sthis improve our lot as an attraction? Just because its new? 92 suites? __________________ Mahomes is not a game manager. Release the Kraken.
Posts: 81,383

08-19-2005, 03:14 PM	#60
Ninjaman Guest Casino cash: $	18k to 20k mentioned here. http://www.visitkc.com/meeting_plann...int_center.htm
Posts: n/a