What is Your Opinion on PNC Field? (Pittsburgh, Allentown: how much, new house)

[ScranBarre]

The Scranton Times-Tribune newspaper is conducting a three-part series of stories about the failing condition of the 19-year-old PNC Field (formerly Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose Stadium) in Moosic, which is home to the AAA minor-league affiliate of the NY Yankees. State Sen. Robert Mellow (D-Peckville) has already sent in a request to the state for a $35,000,000 grant to fund construction of a new stadium, and executives of Mandalay Properties, which may potentially gain a controlling interest in the team, have had a track record of uprooting teams from cities if their demands for new state-of-the-art stadiums were not met.

From a geographical stand point the NY Yankees having their top farm team just two hours northwest of the city in Scranton makes sense---rabid fans who live midway between Scranton and the NYC metro in the Poconos and Northern NJ can have the best of both worlds by being able to see the "big boys" play in the city or the "future stars" play in Scranton. It certainly makes much more sense for the team to be here than in Columbus, OH, the city we "stole" the team from (after Allentown "stole" my beloved Red Barons from us, but I digress).

What do you all believe should be done in this situation, as we are nearing a "crossroads." I can't believe that after 19 years of use the current stadium is literally falling apart at the seams. What sort of uneducated moronic contractors and/or sub-standard materials were used that would cause such severe decay, leaking, and other maladies to befall this structure? Estimates for completely renovating the existing stadium will likely be very near to the cost to build a new stadium from the ground up, so it is my firm belief that if Mandalay DOES demand that we improve our facilities "or say good-bye to your team," then we SHOULD just start anew and do it PROPERLY this time so that the stadium can have a longer life cycle than just one generation.

I would also personally like to suggest relocating the stadium to a location in or near to Downtown Scranton to serve along with the upcoming medical college and potential commuter rail link to Hoboken as yet one more catalyst to spark new life in the Electric City. I always enjoy attending major-league games in downtown settings (Camden Yards in Baltimore and PNC Park in Pittsburgh are amongst my favorites). Imagine seeing a ball game at night with the "Electric City" sign glowing brightly in the background. Imagine hundreds of fans flooding downtown streets before and after the games to scope out Whistle's, Brixx, The Banshee, Steamtown, etc. Downtown merchants could offer later hours and/or special events (perhaps autograph nights with players, a free baseball ticket for a child when his or her parents make a purchase of $50 or more, etc.) A downtown stadium would serve as a huge asset to the city's impending renaissance instead of serving as an excuse for further sprawl upon the once-pristine Montage Mountain, which is now starting to resemble SEPA or North Jersey. If I were Mayor Doherty, I would have already asked to meet with Mandalay officials by now to see if they'd be open to the idea of moving the stadium into the city if and when voters approved a referendum to erect a new stadium.

I personally think it's a waste of tax dollars to fund a new stadium simply because the pit we have now is crumbling before our eyes due to incompetence of the prior county administration in ensuring proper maintenance was conducted, but like it or not having the top minor-league team for one of the most-recognizable MLB teams in the nation will boost Scranton's image to outsiders (we've already seen what "The Office" has done to help promote the city). More exposure means greater chances for attracting new entrepreneurs, investors, employers, residents, etc. It would be TRAGIC to lose baseball altogether in our reason due to NIMBYs whining "Stadium NO" (to mock the hypocritical Hazletonians who had the "Arena NO" slogan in the late-1990s and now attend events at the Wachovia Arena anyways).

[scrantonluna]

The existing stadium is in pretty poor shape. So many corners were cut when that thing was built, it's not even funny. Paul, you and I have been in complete agreement when it comes to the new stadium, and I hope it works out. If Mandalay is able to get a new one built in a new location, I suppose the existing stadium would revert back to the county, and they could do with it as they pleased. The stadium was designed to be fitted with a dome; I say they complete the process and turn it into a multi-purpose center, as it is nearly paid off at this point. Either that or rip it down and we get started on Luna Park, the sequel....

[The Commish]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Imagine hundreds of fans flooding downtown streets before and after the games to scope out Whistle's, Brixx, The Banshee, Steamtown, etc. Downtown merchants could offer later hours and/or special events (perhaps autograph nights with players, a free baseball ticket for a child when his or her parents make a purchase of $50 or more, etc.)

While I like the idea of a downtown stadium, it would really depend on the location, and I don't have the faintest clue where that would be. One thing is for certain. I don't think it's wise for downtown Scranton to tear down even more buildings to make way for another "mall" type project. Maybe something by the river?

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by The Commish

While I like the idea of a downtown stadium, it would really depend on the location, and I don't have the faintest clue where that would be. One thing is for certain. I don't think it's wise for downtown Scranton to tear down even more buildings to make way for another "mall" type project. Maybe something by the river?

I'm a huge proponent of historic preservation myself, but I can think of plenty of blighted or semi-blighted areas within close proximity to downtown that would serve as good locations. One such location would be the South Side Flats area along South Washington Avenue. I've never seen a more depressing looking part of the city. There's really not much of anything of historic value between the Steamtown Mall and the South Side Shopping Center. I'd also like to see perhaps an underground and/or above-grade parking garage built adjacent to the stadium, as I would not want a sea of asphalt with thousands of parking spots extending for as far as they eye could see in the center of town. It would also be nice to link that new stadium to downtown by making it attractive to pedestrians with new street lighting, benches, "Welcome to Scranton" banners, etc. There could be a visitors' kiosk near the main entrances of the stadium with menus from downtown restaurants along with part-time staff to direct wayward tourists. There are plenty of ways to make this work.

[FightinPhils]

The fact that they're talking about a new stadium after only 19 years is ridiculous. I think a new stadium would be great, but only if Mandalay and the Yankees pick up the tab. Why should the struggling taxpayers of Lackawanna County foot the bill for a new stadium for the millionaires of tomorrow to play a game at, when both the Yankees and Manadalay have enough money to wipe their arses with? I'm a sports fan, but I'm sick and tired of sports teams holding cities for ransom, ordering them to build a stadium with taxpayer dollars or they'll move to another city. I say its time for someone to give these billionaires the middle finger and tell them to stick their ultimatums where the sun doesn't shine. If the Yankees don't like the stadium, let them move somewhere else. There are always other minor league teams looking for a home that would be happy to move here.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

I'm a huge proponent of historic preservation myself, but I can think of plenty of blighted or semi-blighted areas within close proximity to downtown that would serve as good locations. One such location would be the South Side Flats area along South Washington Avenue. I've never seen a more depressing looking part of the city. There's really not much of anything of historic value between the Steamtown Mall and the South Side Shopping Center. I'd also like to see perhaps an underground and/or above-grade parking garage built adjacent to the stadium, as I would not want a sea of asphalt with thousands of parking spots extending for as far as they eye could see in the center of town. It would also be nice to link that new stadium to downtown by making it attractive to pedestrians with new street lighting, benches, "Welcome to Scranton" banners, etc. There could be a visitors' kiosk near the main entrances of the stadium with menus from downtown restaurants along with part-time staff to direct wayward tourists. There are plenty of ways to make this work.

Pine Brook would be a good place. Not much worth preserving there.

[FightinPhils]

[quote=scrantonluna;5188539] The stadium was designed to be fitted with a dome [\QUOTE]


Where did you hear that? I have never heard that one before.

[FightinPhils]

A downtown stadium would be nice in theory, but it would be a traffic nightmare. Remember the current stadium's early years and the traffic jams that extended almost a mile onto 81 on game nights? Multiply that by 100, and that's what downtown Scranton traffic would become....at least without major work on the roads.

[FightinPhils]

Plus, after only 19 years, I don't see why they can't just renovate the current stadium? Its still a nice place to see a game, and the current structural problems all revolve around the poor drainage, they could install a drainage system cheaper than building a new stadium. It would be such a waste to see something that millions of dollars built only 19 years ago be demolished already. There is nothing wrong with the stadium. If you notice, on the videos of the stadium's problems at the Times-Tribune's website, the tour is given by a MANDALAY employee....who is pushing for a new stadium. I'm thinking these reports are a little bit biased. Plus, it would be sad to see the old ballpark go....I've been watching games there since opening day 1989, although I went there more when the Red Barons were here for obvious reasons.

If a multi-million dollar stadium is no good and not structurally sound after 19 years, then I guess I should abandon my 100 year old house before it falls into the ground!! Maybe the taxpayers can build me a new house??

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

From a geographical stand point the NY Yankees having their top farm team just two hours northwest of the city in Scranton makes sense---rabid fans who live midway between Scranton and the NYC metro in the Poconos and Northern NJ can have the best of both worlds by being able to see the "big boys" play in the city or the "future stars" play in Scranton. It certainly makes much more sense for the team to be here than in Columbus, OH, the city we "stole" the team from (after Allentown "stole" my beloved Red Barons from us, but I digress).

Those "rabid fans" have stayed away this year. Attendance is down over 100,000 from last season. It seems that the Yankees novelty has worn off, and attendance is now around the same as it was when the Red Barons were here. Probably doesn't help that the Yankees raised ticket prices when they came here. Imagine how much more ticket prices will go up if they build a new stadium. Scrantonians will be priced out of the place, despite paying for it. It will be just as cheap for me to drive to Philly to see a Phillies game as it will be to see a minor league Yankees team in Scranton.