Note: This image is from an early recommendation of the EC task force when they were suggesting to eliminate Howard Wood Field.
I guess I haven’t really thought about this much (because I really don’t think we will use the 12,000 seats that will exist when the EC opens, let alone 15,000). But I vaguely recall it being sold to us that way.
I could find only one news story from KSFY talking about the expansion;
“We’re excited to be at this point. We’re excited people voted for this and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the city on it,” Dethlefs said.
The next step is for architectural firms to finalize the plans. The plans will then go to the city for approval.
There’s room to grow with this facility. Crews are designing it to add another 3,000 seats if it’s needed in the future.
So why am I questioning this now? For one, I think it was one of BID’s campaign promises, I also think the EC task force recommended it, and I believe the voter’s were sold on this concept, even after the victorious vote.
And, you can’t seem to get a little suspicious when the mayor says the project is ahead of schedule and under budget.
As I understand it, there can be ‘geological and rock’ issues after surveying the land, and this can change the foundation and footprint plans of a project, which ultimately changes the entire building. The First Phase of the River Greenway had to have a change order after they found too much of the elusive Sioux Quartzite.
So I ask the city, is the EC being built to be expandable to 15,000 seats? And if not, when were you going to inform us? If ever? And if it is being built for expansion, will you show us the proof and plans?
Just curious, for now.