Ford Field renovations are "expected to be completed Aug. 1" and will "touch every corner of the building across 209,000 square feet," according to Carlos Monarrez of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The video boards "stole the show" during yesterday's media tour of the venue. As part of the $100M in renovations, the new video boards will "take up 26,500 square feet of LED display space." Renovations also include "full updates to the 125 suites, more football-themed designs like yard markers on floors, pictures of players and Lions-colored decorations and designs." There will be a grab-and-go concessions and a "fully updated Corner Bar that features a 90-foot bar with several video boards." The north side of the stadium, which had been "somewhat neglected," has added a 4,000-square-foot kitchen as well as "significant new additions like the Miller Lite Taproom and the Comerica Gridiron Club, which includes outdoor seating and a large fire pit for lounging during brisk autumn afternoons." A sound system upgrade "also is coming." Meanwhile, banners that "celebrate division titles and world championship remain, but the banners that listed only the Lions’ appearances in the 'NFL playoffs' are gone." Lions President Rod Wood said, "I’d rather celebrate the next division win and not put them back up.” Monarrez notes nearby Little Caesars Arena soon will "compete with Ford Field for entertainment dollars." Wood said, "Certainly we’re aware of what they’re doing. ... We certainly compete on some level. But we also want to cooperate" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/20).
MOTOR CITY MAKEOVER: In Detroit, John Niyo reports architectural firm Rossetti began renovations "about 18 months ago -- not long after Wood was hired." The Lions, who have seen attendance drop each of the last three seasons, answered "two primary fan complaints" by improving Wi-Fi and updating the video boards. Wood: "When you answer those, hopefully you can get people to continue to come in." Wood "estimates they’ve added 700 new TVs and video walls." Wood: "Everything we did was to try to keep the fans engaged" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/20). Also in Detroit, Justin Rogers writes getting rid of the Lions' playoff appearance banners is a "farewell to a celebration of mediocre accomplishment, a meaningful and necessary step as the organization pushes for a high standard under the leadership" of Owner Martha Ford, GM Bob Quinn and Wood (DETROIT NEWS, 7/20).
