Sports in Austin

[Maximusx1]

Originally Posted by zrx299

Hey Z! Absolutely loved this. Could you possibly do this for the northeast corner of Congress and Riverside? I'd use the same orientation as you did here with homeplate at the southwest corner. Thanks in advance!

[J78704]

Originally Posted by Maximusx1

Hey Z! Absolutely loved this. Could you possibly do this for the northeast corner of Congress and Riverside? I'd use the same orientation as you did here with homeplate at the southwest corner. Thanks in advance!

Butler Metro Park would be a great location for this as well:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bu...w9xk?entry=ttu

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by J78704

Butler Metro Park would be a great location for this as well:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bu...w9xk?entry=ttu

I can't think of a better way to destroy all the parkland around there than to plop a stadium/ballpark in it.

[Riverranchdrone]

I was fine with losing Butler Shores to the Soccer Stadium, But I would hate to lose Butler Park to Baseball Stadium. Yes the view but that is one of my favorite parks for my drone videos and parks. You could have a stadium on the east side of IH35 but the cry of more gentrification would be very loud.

[papertowelroll]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

I was fine with losing Butler Shores to the Soccer Stadium, But I would hate to lose Butler Park to Baseball Stadium. Yes the view but that is one of my favorite parks for my drone videos and parks. You could have a stadium on the east side of IH35 but the cry of more gentrification would be very loud.

Yes, Butler Shores might work because that park is currently wasted. While you can argue that Auditorium shores is a bit underutilized it is still an immensely valuable park to the city and there is no way people would be okay with that getting turned into a stadium.

It's not impossible that a baseball stadium in 2027 would be received better than the soccer stadium idea was in 2017, but I still doubt that public would be ok with using any parkland for a stadium. I also don't know if Butler Shores would actually be large enough for a stadium.

I think it'd probably be simpler to find a spot that works for baseball near Q2 stadium or the new Uptown ATX development, even though it would be cool to have one near downtown instead.

[chinchaaa]

i think Muny would be a great location for a stadium!

[Geckos_Rule]

The process of actually doing it aside, I think the best spots would certainly be the statesman site (though its seemingly already on track for development) and the north half of Texas School for the Deaf. Roy G. Guerrero park would also be viable given the huge amount of space it has and the central location.

It'd be pretty tough to squeeze an MLB stadium into Butler Shores unless they managed quite a lot of underground parking, or magically expanded light rail into a legitimately usable network with a stop right there.

I hate to say, but I'd imagine that if any MLB stadium actually came to Austin in the next 10-15 years, it would most likely go up near Q2 stadium and the domain, or fairly far into south Austin to capture some of the San Antonio market.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Geckos_Rule

The process of actually doing it aside, I think the best spots would certainly be the statesman site (though its seemingly already on track for development) and the north half of Texas School for the Deaf. Roy G. Guerrero park would also be viable given the huge amount of space it has and the central location.

It'd be pretty tough to squeeze an MLB stadium into Butler Shores unless they managed quite a lot of underground parking, or magically expanded light rail into a legitimately usable network with a stop right there.

I hate to say, but I'd imagine that if any MLB stadium actually came to Austin in the next 10-15 years, it would most likely go up near Q2 stadium and the domain, or fairly far into south Austin to capture some of the San Antonio market.

I don't hate the idea of a stadium at the Domain given the growth and the fact that Q2 is already there - and the Red Line is already there. Downtown would be better for a lot of reasons, but they're not without logistical challenges, current and future. I think Butler Shores is a wash for the same reasons that the soccer stadium didn't land there.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by drummer

I don't hate the idea of a stadium at the Domain given the growth and the fact that Q2 is already there - and the Red Line is already there. Downtown would be better for a lot of reasons, but they're not without logistical challenges, current and future. I think Butler Shores is a wash for the same reasons that the soccer stadium didn't land there.

I think it depends on the sport. Baseball is more a part of the culture the further north you go given the Express so the domain makes the most sense for a baseball stadium. Still close to Austin but closer to the center of population of the metro and closer to the ppl that are more likely to go to a game.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by freerover

I think it depends on the sport. Baseball is more a part of the culture the further north you go given the Express so the domain makes the most sense for a baseball stadium. Still close to Austin but closer to the center of population of the metro and closer to the ppl that are more likely to go to a game.

Yeah, I certainly agree with that. I like the aesthetics of a baseball stadium downtown, I suppose, given the history of the sport in American cities... but the Domain would work best in every other aspect, to your point. Rail connection, bus connections, things to do, freeway accessibility, etc.

[AusTex]

Originally Posted by Geckos_Rule

...I hate to say, but I'd imagine that if any MLB stadium actually came to Austin in the next 10-15 years, it would most likely go up near Q2 stadium and the domain, or fairly far into south Austin to capture some of the San Antonio market.

Agreed. South Austin to capture folk from San Antonio or near the Q2 Stadium. Putting a Major League stadium in parkland downtown is a no starter. Why privatize central green space open to everyone for billionaires? Really!

[J78704]

Originally Posted by AusTex

Agreed. South Austin to capture folk from San Antonio or near the Q2 Stadium. Putting a Major League stadium in parkland downtown is a no starter. Why privatize central green space open to everyone for billionaires? Really!

No really... I didn't realize that only billionaires enjoyed MLB when housed downtown. The Butler Shores Metro Park is bigger than the previously visualized location on the Bechtol Harper Baseball Field / YMCA spot. And, I run through through Butler Metro Park twice a week. Besides the kiddy area (which could be relocated) and an occasional large group of yogis... there may be a few groups of 1-3 people walking around on average. One game once per year might service the area better. And, it would require public / private partnership with underground parking and preferably re-envisioning Parmer Events + Long Centers - which is needed regardless. Housing / hotel / retail could border Barton Springs from S. Lamar to S. 1st wrapped around to the North @Riverside, with thousands of parking spots underground. Still, Auditorium Shores would be spared and meanwhile this area would serve more people. Seems like a win, Really!

[Riverranchdrone]

Originally Posted by J78704

No really... I didn't realize that only billionaires enjoyed MLB when housed downtown. The Butler Shores Metro Park is bigger than the previously visualized location on the Bechtol Harper Baseball Field / YMCA spot. And, I run through through Butler Metro Park twice a week. Besides the kiddy area (which could be relocated) and an occasional large group of yogis... there may be a few groups of 1-3 people walking around on average. One game once per year might service the area better. And, it would require public / private partnership with underground parking and preferably re-envisioning Parmer Events + Long Centers - which is needed regardless. Housing / hotel / retail could border Barton Springs from S. Lamar to S. 1st wrapped around to the North @Riverside, with thousands of parking spots underground. Still, Auditorium Shores would be spared and meanwhile this area would serve more people. Seems like a win, Really!

Nah too many people go their now. Every parking spot is always filled. from the Pedestrian bridge to Auditorium shores always has hundreds of people on it. Not to mention the egg shaped field and One of the cities most iconic point, Doug Sahm hill. The recently added playground is a go to spot for school field trips. This park is used way to often by too many people to justify a stadium only used a few times a year and would destroy the beauty of the Austin river front.

[the Genral]

You know what makes Austin so beautiful to tourists and locals alike, NOT having a stadium anywhere near the shores of LBL, or on top of the wide open parks.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

Nah too many people go their now. Every parking spot is always filled. from the Pedestrian bridge to Auditorium shores always has hundreds of people on it. Not to mention the egg shaped field and One of the cities most iconic point, Doug Sahm hill. The recently added playground is a go to spot for school field trips. This park is used way to often by too many people to justify a stadium only used a few times a year and would destroy the beauty of the Austin river front.

to butler shores...?

[Geckos_Rule]

Originally Posted by AusTex

Agreed. South Austin to capture folk from San Antonio or near the Q2 Stadium. Putting a Major League stadium in parkland downtown is a no starter. Why privatize central green space open to everyone for billionaires? Really!

I absolutely understand where you're coming from on this, but a lot of people (myself included) are not incredibly wealthy, but would get more use and enjoyment out of an MLB stadium existing downtown rather than a public park. Tickets certainly aren't free, but given the MLB's 81 home games, ticket prices are usually a lot more approachable for most people. Outside of the Yankees/Red Sox/Dodgers, you can get decent tickets in most any stadium for a random game for $30 each.

[AusTex]

Originally Posted by Geckos_Rule

I absolutely understand where you're coming from on this, but a lot of people (myself included) are not incredibly wealthy, but would get more use and enjoyment out of an MLB stadium existing downtown rather than a public park. Tickets certainly aren't free, but given the MLB's 81 home games, ticket prices are usually a lot more approachable for most people. Outside of the Yankees/Red Sox/Dodgers, you can get decent tickets in most any stadium for a random game for $30 each.

Okay. $30 each if the city does not ante in to build a stadium for the billionaire owners? What if the city will not pay for the stadium? The lower and middle class already subsidies the very rich who have a tax code of endless deductions to use to pay little or no taxes. Central parkland is finite. Major League owners have to pay to play in Central Austin, Period.

[electricron]

The City of Austin has never supported financing any percentage of any true sports stadium. All the minor leagues are now based in its suburbs. The O2 MLS team stadium cost of over $250 million to build was financed entirely by the team. But the land it sits on is owned by the City of Austin.
It bought the land in 1995 for $1.4 million. It is leasing the land to the team for $550,000 per year over 20 years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q2_Stadium
The City will get a very nice return of $11 million over the next 20 years from an initial investment of $1.4 million.
So I am strongly suggesting that the City has for all practical purposes spent $0,000,000.00 building professional sports stadiums.

Why does anyone think there will be any changes in the future?

[J78704]

Originally Posted by AusTex

Okay. $30 each if the city does not ante in to build a stadium for the billionaire owners? What if the city will not pay for the stadium? The lower and middle class already subsidies the very rich who have a tax code of endless deductions to use to pay little or no taxes. Central parkland is finite. Major League owners have to pay to play in Central Austin, Period.

Good points. It should cost A LOT, with a definitive ROI for this city, for a private organization to invest in its branding like this, and they should have to shoulder the burden of cost for development. That’s a pipe dream I know it but I’ll still take the bet. To your point, $30 may or may not still buy ya a drink by the time this space ever gets used to its full community potential. My guess is that would be the going rate for a Miller Lite at such a stadium lol.

PS - agree with you on every other post AUSTEX! I definitely want to preserve our parks. Just think a few spots could be enhanced.

[Tyrone Shoes]

Originally Posted by electricron

The City of Austin has never supported financing any percentage of any true sports stadium. All the minor leagues are now based in its suburbs. The O2 MLS team stadium cost of over $250 million to build was financed entirely by the team. But the land it sits on is owned by the City of Austin.
It bought the land in 1995 for $1.4 million. It is leasing the land to the team for $550,000 per year over 20 years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q2_Stadium
The City will get a very nice return of $11 million over the next 20 years from an initial investment of $1.4 million.
So I am strongly suggesting that the City has for all practical purposes spent $0,000,000.00 building professional sports stadiums.

Why does anyone think there will be any changes in the future?

I'm afraid the citizens of Austin/Travis County will never vote to spend city taxes for a sport stadium. I wish that wasn't the way it is but it is. A city/private partnership like Q2 would work but the majority of the cost will have to be private. The outcry from neighborhood groups east of I-35 wont allow it and the same goes for along the south shore of Town Lake (aka Ladybird Lake). Travis Heights, South Congress and Zilker neighborhood Associations will fight against and win any attempts to put a stadium at the old American Statesman site, Butler Park and Butler Shores. Any proposals that make it to the full city council for discussion will be met and quickly shot down.
The only real locations for a stadium would be adjacent to the COTA site or expanding Dell Diamond to meet MLB requirements.