Temple Univ. would use the stadium only for the school’s six home football games each yearTEMPLE UNIV.
Temple Univ. has released more details about its proposed 35,000-seat football stadium in downtown Philadelphia, "stressing its plans to ease disruptions to North Philadelphia neighbors," according to Julia Terruso of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. The school is "pushing ahead" with its plans "despite outcry" from nearby residents. By being built "below sidewalk level on two sides, the stadium would not rise above homes on Norris or 16th Streets," and service vehicles would enter under ground to "avoid disrupting neighbors." Temple Associate VP/Project Delivery Group Dozie Ibeh said that plans for the U-shape structure "call for a brick exterior to match the nearby homes." Two 10,000-square-foot retail spaces "would sit in front of the stadium, facing Broad Street." Temple would "use the stadium only for the school’s six home games each year." On those days, the school "would aim to keep all pre-game parties on campus by organizing university tailgates in various indoor and outdoor locations." Ibeh said that there are "no plans to allow tailgating in parking lots." The stadium is estimated to cost $130M, but that "does not include security or a special services district that would be created to keep the neighborhood safe and clean" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/30).
COMING TO THE RESCUE: In Birmingham, Joseph Goodman writes the city "saved UAB football two years ago," and now Birmingham has given the program "permanent new life" by committing to build an open-air stadium in downtown. UAB AD Mark Ingram said, "We couldn't be more grateful. We are humbled by it, and we're thankful for everyone who's involved in it." The stadium "isn't just for UAB," but the school's football team "will be the venue's first permanent tenant." Ingram said that the size is "perfect" for the "modern stadium trend of college football -- fewer seats and more amenities" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 3/30).
