University of Texas Development Updates

[The ATX]

The first tower crane is going up today.


https://texassports.com/sports/2019/6/11...morial-stadium-south-endzone-webcam.aspx

[JoninATX]

Looks like they are ready to put up the 2nd tower crane.

Have trucks parked with crane sections.

https://texassports.com/sports/2019/6/11...morial-stadium-south-endzone-webcam.aspx

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Looks like they are ready to put up the 2nd tower crane.

Have trucks parked with crane sections.

https://texassports.com/sports/2019/6/11...morial-stadium-south-endzone-webcam.aspx

is this to be wrapped up in the next month?

[freerover]

Originally Posted by urbancore

is this to be wrapped up in the next month?

maybe if this was china.

[The ATX]

It looks like we'll have to wait until tomorrow for the second crane to be completed.


https://texassports.com/sports/2019/6/11...morial-stadium-south-endzone-webcam.aspx

[jg6544]

When is it going to be finished?

[freerover]

Originally Posted by jg6544

When is it going to be finished?

2021 Longhorn season kickoff.

[Syndic]

Source: Christopher Sherman Photography

[the Genral]

Anyone know what the max capacity will be during construction? 97k-ish?

[Benhudd01]

Originally Posted by the Genral

Anyone know what the max capacity will be during construction? 97k-ish?

I am a member of several of the UT football boards and all of the mods with inside sources claim the capacity will be unchanged. I don’t see how that is possible. If that is true then DKR seating capacity would remain ~2,000 less than A&M’s stadium. Something tells me we may get “surprised” with news that capacity will be increased just enough to beat A&M for the largest stadium in Texas... at least I hope so. Btw, the current capacity is a little over 100k with a record of 103.5k

[Geckos_Rule]

Originally Posted by Benhudd01

I am a member of several of the UT football boards and all of the mods with inside sources claim the capacity will be unchanged. I don’t see how that is possible. If that is true then DKR seating capacity would remain ~2,000 less than A&M’s stadium. Something tells me we may get “surprised” with news that capacity will be increased just enough to beat A&M for the largest stadium in Texas... at least I hope so. Btw, the current capacity is a little over 100k with a record of 103.5k

Agreed. I get how they say how the final capacity is unchanged, but they literally just tore down a few thousand seats? I'm sure it's probably 3000-ish less than normal during construction, but that's a general guess.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by Geckos_Rule

Agreed. I get how they say how the final capacity is unchanged, but they literally just tore down a few thousand seats? I'm sure it's probably 3000-ish less than normal during construction, but that's a general guess.

That's what I was asking. I don't know the capacity of those south end zone bleachers they removed but I agree its probably around 3k. That can add up on lost revenue for the season where you might guarantee multiple sellouts considering the football program is on the rise. I guess they can afford it for one season. Maybe they can use one of the cranes for some great shots of the field during the games, and a 360 view of the city during the breaks.

[lzppjb]

Yeah, I'd say 3000-3500 seats were torn down. I believe capacity was 100,800. That would leave 97,300-97,800 seats for this season.

They can afford it. It's the richest athletic department in the country by far.

[lzppjb]

I'm not convinced the capacity will go up much at all, if any.

Yes, the stands will be physically bigger, but...

1. Unlike the north end, the stands won't connect to the east and west stands. That's a lot of seats missing. Instead, they're doing tiered standing room only decks.
2. The huge Longhorn logo cutout of the stands removes a lot of seats.
3. Many of the seats will be club seats. These are wider than the bleachers they're replacing.

And the AD has said seating capacity will be neutral. It may add a few. It may lose a few. This is all about the money (luxury suites and club seats), and giving the stadium a more finished look. We'll also get a bigger and nicer video board.

I just hope we can get the correct color orange on the field someday.

[ILUVSAT]

I wouldn't hold much water to what the suits are saying at the moment. Being "neutral" is the PC answer.

Furthermore, being "neutral" is up to interpretation - especially regarding a 100,000-seat stadium. For example, a 2.7% increase in "seating capacity" could, arguably, be considered a "neutral" or tiny increase. However, in doing so, DKR would surpass Kyle Field in total "seating capacity" (by just under 100 seats). Also, there has been nothing said of the max standing-room only areas (terraces) being built into this renovated south end zone.

AND, damnit...not only fix the dang orange - but, bring back natural grass!

[freerover]

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

but, bring back natural grass!

No thanks. The team would lose the ability to use DKR for practices and drills. You would also have a mismatch in field type between the bubble which you would have to use more and the playing day field.

Even when you only allow people to walk on that field for game days, it's still really hard to keep it alive.

[drummer]

Needs to lose the Longhorn logo. Cool idea, but it won't look right or good from most angles.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by freerover

No thanks. The team would lose the ability to use DKR for practices and drills. You would also have a mismatch in field type between the bubble which you would have to use more and the playing day field.

Even when you only allow people to walk on that field for game days, it's still really hard to keep it alive.

IMHO that is a weak argument against grass. Plenty of schools do it - why can't Texas? Additionally, almost every major sports team in the world practices away from their "home stadium." That's why teams develop training centers.

Furthermore, the "Bubble" is going bye-bye in a few years. Either way, the team has grass practice fields and turf in their indoor facility (old and forthcoming new one). They do not "need" to practice in DKR. In fact, they practice mostly outdoors, on grass, during the season - weather permitting, of course. The "Bubble" is not used as much as you seem to assume.

Keeping it alive?!? If TCU (and countless others) can figure it out...I think Texas can.

Two more things...grass is cooler during hot days and grass also produces fewer injuries versus turf.

[Syndic]

I don't remember having seen this angle before. It gives a better view of those weird, incoherent terrace things where I guess people are going to stand around eating chicken wings all game long or something? Maybe vintage wine and gourmet cheeses? I really don't get the standing room crap. That area should be seats.

Also, big blank walls? Yuck.

Maybe it will turn out better than expected but I'm still pretty annoyed that they went with these weird terrace things. The rest is fine.

[papertowelroll]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoot

IMHO that is a weak argument against grass. Plenty of schools do it - why can't Texas? Additionally, almost every major sports team in the world practices away from their "home stadium." That's why teams develop training centers.

Furthermore, the "Bubble" is going bye-bye in a few years. Either way, the team has grass practice fields and turf in their indoor facility (old and forthcoming new one). They do not "need" to practice in DKR. In fact, they practice mostly outdoors, on grass, during the season - weather permitting, of course. The "Bubble" is not used as much as you seem to assume.

Keeping it alive?!? If TCU (and countless others) can figure it out...I think Texas can.

Two more things...grass is cooler during hot days and grass also produces fewer injuries versus turf.

Other schools are in less urban locations. UT's problem is a lack of real estate for practice fields.