The rest of the Big House
Back several years when they first announced the idea of suites, or "premium seating," Bill Martin and Co. said the effect would be seen all over the stadium, not just in the plush confines for those that could afford to sit there. After walking through the west side of the stadium at the scrimmage on Saturday, I can now say, without a doubt, that he was right.
The "new" Michigan Stadium is simply tremendous for the average fan. There are restrooms everywhere you turn, including at least one that I saw that goes underground (similar to the old restroom underneath the pressbox area). Yes, the walls-as-urinals are gone, but it is huge, and there will be plenty of space for people to get around.
But, to me, the real magic comes in the westside upper concourse, above Row 92. Because it was raining on Saturday, we went up there to watch the scrimmage. We would have braved the rain, but had our 20-month old with us. This may become the best place to watch the game for those with tickets on that side of the stadium. Covered, great view and concessions and restrooms are abundant. Plus, the upper concourse that you can see from Main Street (as well as the similar one on the east side) will pull, the AD says, about 20 percent of the foot traffic from the main concourses. I am guessing this will be a great place for people in rows about 72 and up.
I know he is not in people's minds right now because of the Pimp Hand and some of the nastiness of the NCAA violations, but I have to applaud Bill Martin for a job well done. Whether you were for or against the renovations, they did it right!
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:10 PM ^
Cheers!
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:13 PM ^
I just want to say again, as I have before, that Bill Martin actually wanted to keep them in place, because he knew that M-Men had a quirky, home-field appreciation for them.
Martin was overruled, by the University's building code, which demanded low-water-usage appliances.
No smoking, no water usage, expansive handicapped seating; the renovated Big House has become a spectacularly PC place.
But the renovations will absolutely be seen as a net positive by everybody in due time. People will wonder how anybody could possibly have opposed the renovation plan. It was brilliant, and particularly brilliantly executed by Bill Martin.
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:22 PM ^
We'll just have to piss on MSU instead come Oct 9!
Bad news: MSU has forgotten what that feels like.
Good News: We can re-educate them.
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:56 PM ^
This comment made me almost LOL in class and totally made my day, thank you!
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:29 PM ^
I think they're having trouble selling all the handicapped seating. It looks like they designed the platforms so that they can be removed and returned to plain benches assuming the demand for accessible seating never materializes.
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:40 PM ^
I could be wrong, but I don't think the "demand" matters. I think we needed to have a certain number of handicapped seating to meet ADA standards and have that now.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:03 PM ^
settled the ADA lawsuit with Bersntein Junior; that there has virtually always been open seating space on the handicapped mezzanines.
My personal feelings about the Bernsteins aside, the fact was, that Bill Martin was telling the truth, when he stated that there had never been an occasion where the University had not found a way to accomodate ANY handicapped person who had made any special request to the Stadium staff.
Anyway, it is all history now, completely obviated by the Stadium renovation. Which was already well into the planning stages when Bernstein Junior filed his lawsuit and held his press conference(s). In the meantime Bernstein Junior got the press attention that he craved.
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:33 PM ^
Who would have guessed it?
Question:
Was the cockeyed one the guy who did this case? Just wondering.
August 24th, 2010 at 12:19 AM ^
It was Richard Bernstein, blind since birth, who led that case against the Athletic Department. Richard Bernstein is a Michign LS&A grad, and is now a part-time U-M adjunct Poli Sci prof. He went to Northwestern Law School. He is on the WSU Board of Governors, and has been running hard to be the Democrats' nominee for Attorney General. As far as I am aware (not my team) the Democrats are nominating another candidate. Bernstein has attracted the usual Democrat/trial lawyer/labor support:
http://www.bernsteinformichigan.com/index.cfm?objectid=5B146380-20B0-11DF-8BF8000C296BA163
He features tv news video of his settlement "victory" over Michigan's Athletic Department on that campaign website.
Creepy to me (although predictable, I suppose) is that two current Regents -- Democrats Julia Darlow Donovan and Denise Illitch -- are listed as endorsing supporters of Richard Bernstein's AG campaign. That, after his ADA lawsuit was undoubtedly captioned [Plaintiff] versus The University of Michigan Board of Regents.
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:41 PM ^
When I got the call to work at the new stadium almost 2 years ago I was thrilled. I needed the work, and I knew the job would last until the summer of '10. As I watched the exterior take shape over that time I was excited by what I saw. The overall vending experience will be revolutionized for the comsumer. The lines that stretched for what seemed like miles to purchase food and drinks will all but vanish. I know there will actually be more people there now but the architects have done their homework on efficient people flow. Even though the structures were up for the noise factor last year, the overall experience hadn't been attained.
Two levels of councourses will keep the stair climbing to a modest distance for people who have a hard time with the pitch of the steps. There are family restrooms all over the place as well. The bathrooms will be clean and plentiful, and best of all warm in the later months of the season. They all have hands free faucets, too, thank God. I will probably never get inside of the suites again, which is perfectly fine with me, but those jewelry rattlers will be happy too.
I can't wait for that place to be in full effect after Brock leads the team on to the field. I have goosebumps just thinking about the energy and buzz that will be going through the crowd. It is ironic that I am so excited because I got laid off due to the completion of the stadium, but I couldn't be more ready for this season. 11 days and a wake up!!!
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:05 PM ^
how they kept the classic brick theme so uniform-looking - very majestic. I also really like the dark blue facing on the suites, The stadium looks fantastic...and best of all it looks like we'll have cause to make some noise in there this year!
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:15 PM ^
I may be in the minority but I wish they would do something small to the suites to contrast the blue. Right now it's just so dark and plain looking. A thin maize pinstripe or something along those sorts would go a long way IMO. Right now it's just this dark mass.
Love everything else about the renovations though.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:55 PM ^
It looks a little too much a dark blue brooding monolithic hulk.
It needs something to brighten/liven it up a little (but no Halo please)! Some stripes or bunting or flags. At least turn on all the lights on cloudy days.
August 23rd, 2010 at 11:47 PM ^
I'm actually hopeful they can add some narrow color LED ribbon boards that can be used for stats, out of town scores, etc. Some color to offset the blue would be great.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:09 PM ^
I was pretty impressed with what I saw of the stadium last month despite the fact I was trying to keep from passing out from all the fumes as workers were repainting the block M on the bleachers.
But you're right. All those extra bathrooms will help out. And the rich folks will enjoy those covered seats 92 rows up.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
Definitely will be a few hundred Kodak moments on the 4th.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:35 PM ^
And that's where the bulk of the $226 million went - wholesale renovation of existing parts of the stadium. Only some of it went toward constructing the new structures. The great benefit of the luxury boxes is that they will allow us to pay down the cost of renovation much fast than otherwise would have been possible.