The Chargers and Raiders "have completely overhauled their design" for a $1.7B shared stadium in Carson, Calif., according to Farmer & Fenno of the L.A. TIMES. The new design is the "result of almost two months of collaboration" between the franchises. The revised plans "show a futuristic open-air venue with a peristyle intentionally reminiscent of the one at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum." A "signature element of the design is a 115- to 120-foot tower that rises through and extends above the main concourse." It would be a "pedestal for a cauldron that would change depending on the team." When the Chargers play, "simulated lightning bolts would swirl behind glass encasing the tower and, if the team were to score a touchdown, a bolt would shoot out of the top." For Raiders games, a "flame would burn in the cauldron in honor" of late team Owner Al Davis. If the venue were to play host to a Super Bowl, the tower "would be transformed into a giant Lombardi Trophy." The previous stadium design included a multilevel suite tower on one side, but the new plan's "contiguous exterior encases a horseshoe seating configuration that's open on one end." Architect David Manica, who is designing the stadium, said that the "'core concepts' of the project ... focus on an open and airy design." The color of the stadium's seats "has not been decided," but Manica has "entertained the possibility of installing clear seats that reflect the color of lights shining on them" (L.A. TIMES, 4/24).
NUTS & BOLTS: Chargers special advisor Jeffrey Pollack said that the unnamed venue would "include 50,000 general admission seats, 12,000 club seats and 3,000 suite seats." In California, Nick Green in a front-page piece writes with the height of the stadium "maxing out at around 215 feet, the venue would become a Southern California landmark easily visible from nearby freeways." The logos of both teams are "included among the renditions of the three-tier oval" released Thursday (Torrance DAILY BREEZE. 4/24). In San Diego, Roger Showley reports the stadium could expand to "hold up to 72,000" fans. Most of the 168-acre site "shows a sea of parking, although the plans approved earlier this week by the Carson City Council allows for nonresidential development on the site." San Diego's project to keep the Chargers in the city "is the least developed concept, since Mayor Kevin Faulconer's advisory stadium group is still working on financial plans, not due until next month." There is "no architectural design yet released by the Chargers or the city, although several independent architects and designers have come up with their own plans" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/24).
