In Pittsburgh, Aaron Aupperlee noted the Steelers' massive new video board is "dominating the south end of Heinz Field." It is "41 feet high and 123.5 feet wide." At more than 5,000 square feet, it is "about the size of 20 bowling lanes." But compared to video boards across the NFL, the new board is "tiny," ranking 24th among 31 stadiums (TRIBLIVE.com, 8/8).
A GRAND UNDERTAKING: In Columbus, Jim Weiker notes a local developer yesterday unveiled plans for a "23-acre project next to the Arena District that would include two residential towers, a conference center, two hotels, a grocery store and a mini downtown lined with restaurants, shops and upper-level apartments." Schottenstein Real Estate Group President Brian Schottenstein said that the project is called the Grand Central and he "expects to soon announce a national developer who will partner with his firm on the project" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 8/9).
BEAT THE HEAT: The AP's Andy Buhler notes the expanded Chop House space at SunTrust Park has "refrigerated cup holders that keeps drinks chilled at 30 degrees." It is one of the "popular new additions" at the new ballpark. The Chop House is "sold out to season ticketholders." The idea for the refrigerated cup holders "originated early in the stadium building process" when sponsor MillerCoors "pitched it to the Braves" (AP, 8/7).
MINOR TWEAKS: In Houston, David Barron reported the Astros have "made some minor changes to the batter's eye in center field." Workers at Minute Maid Park "reinstalled a green backdrop underneath one of the arches in the wall just to the left of the main backdrop and relocated a sponsor's sign to a corner of the Astros' bullpen." A portion of the railing to the right of the backdrop, near the center field party area, was "changed in color from red to green" (CHRON.com, 8/7).
