Temple Univ. has hired architectural firm AECOM and Cincinnati-based design firm Moody Nolan "to design a 30,000-seat football stadium on campus," according to sources cited by Don Muret of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. AECOM’s Steve Terrill and Brian Pounds, designers of FAU Stadium while they were employed with HKS, "are two principals involved in the project in Philadelphia." Moody Nolan already is "designing Temple’s new indoor football practice facility next to the stadium site." Based on that project, AECOM "decided to partner with the company to help win the job." The two firms are "designing a stadium, starting with a feasibility study, to fit within Temple’s urban campus, which features an eclectic mix of stone and brick buildings surrounded by older residential neighborhoods." The intent is to "develop a stadium with up to 2,500 club seats distributed among two premium levels." There will be a few suites to "meet the needs of corporate clients, but in general, based on the school’s market studies, a greater emphasis will be placed on larger hospitality spaces tied to premium seats in the bowl." Terrill said that this has "been the trend for AECOM’s recent college projects" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/28 issue).
EASY DECISION: Temple Assistant VP/University Communications Ray Betzner said that Moody Nolan's "willingness to work with neighbors made it a clear choice." Betzner added that Temple President Neil Theobald "was familiar with the firm's work" at Indiana Univ., where he was Senior VP & CFO. In Philadelphia, Susan Snyder notes Temple's BOT last month "voted to spend up to" $1M on designs and a study of a 35,000-seat stadium in the northwest corner of campus. School officials have said that the project -- which has "drawn fierce opposition from some neighbors and students -- is estimated to cost" $126M and "will proceed only if enough funding is raised." Betzner said that Moody Nolan also will "help identify potential retail uses for the property." He said that "no timeline has been set for the work" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/29).
OUT WITH THE OLD: S.B. Ballard Construction Founder & Owner Stephen Ballard said that he will "submit an unsolicited proposal" to Old Dominion Univ. to "demolish most of Foreman Field and replace it with a 25,000-seat football stadium that would open" in '18. He said that the proposal "would provide ODU with a stadium years earlier, and at a reduced cost, than what the university could build with the conventional bidding process." In Virginia, Harry Minium in a front-page piece notes Ballard "proposed five configurations, each with different amenities and costs, with the most expensive priced at" $124M. Ballard "declined to outline his least expensive proposal." Ballard will also "submit three financing proposals, which he deemed 'proprietary.'” He said that the new stadium "would offer improved amenities, including an additional 20 luxury suites, 1,000 more club seats, a VIP area overlooking the field and larger and improved restrooms and concessions." The suites, VIP area, club seats and naming rights "would provide additional revenue." Ballard said that the stadium "eventually could be expanded to 35,000 seats." Officials "originally envisioned a stadium seating 33,000 to 35,000 but have since determined that 25,000 seats fits ODU’s ticket demand." S.B. Ballard Construction "will submit the bid" along with local architectural firm Clark Nexsen and AECOM (Norfolk VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 3/29).
