Still More Images Showing NFL Stadiums Rarely, If Ever Stimulate Growth

NRG Stadium (Formerly Reliant Stadium) Houston, Texas - opened 2002

The paid shill for The Pittsburgh Stadium Authority responded to my earlier visual evidence posts.

Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee - opened 1999 

Levis Stadium, Santa Clara, California- opened 2014 

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas - opened 2009

He pointed out, a few images showed older stadiums and that the newer ones fit better into an urban context. Sadly, images of most newer stadiums hardly prove his point. Hard to see much growth in these shots.

Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts - Opened 2002

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina- opened 1996

NFL stadiums belong in the suburbs

More Visual Evidence, Stadiums Rarely Stimulate Growth

Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado 

Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium Parking, Baltimore, Maryland

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana 

Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium, Florida

Tropicana Field, St, Petersburg, Florida 

Globe Life Park, Arlington, Texas 

Metlife Stadium, New Jersey

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California 

Visual Evidence Stadiums Rarely Stimulate Growth

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California 

Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana 

Florida Marlins Ballpark, Miami, Florida (Buildings on sides are garages) of stadium are garages)

Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas 

University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona 

Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota 

SAP Center, San Jose, California 

Tampa Times Forum, Tampa, Florida 

Busch Stadium, Saint Louis, Missouri 

Aloha Stadium, Hawaii 

United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 

AT&T Stadium In Arlington Texas

How much do you have to hate your city to think this is the best use for prime, centrally located, urban property? More images and posts on the way.

Time For a Long Overdue Talk About Pittsburgh"s Waterfront Stadiums

No time to do a long post about this yet.

To a very large extent, the shift in my posts towards local planning and design issues reflects a disgust and foreboding about the impact of ant-urban policies. 

Pittsburgh as a small city, with specific geographic constraints simply can't afford to waste taxable property.

When I arrived 11 years ago,  the average city resident might have thought the city was lucky to have any development, or economic activity of any kind. Without our benevolent team owners, who would want to visit, work or live in our ugly, post industrial city. What is good for them, surely must be good for us? Um.... perhaps not.

With parking on North Shore in flux, developer gets extension on apartments

After two years, a developer might be allowed to build a 9 story 250 unit apartment building next to PNC Park IF They Replace 531 Parking Spaces Lost.

Which is more important to the teams, surface parking for occasional fans or actual taxable development?

"The stadium authority is required to replace parking under its option agreement with the Pirates, the Steelers and Continental to develop the land between the two sports facilities."

Meaning that taxpayers will likely have to pay for another huge expansion of another huge, hideous parking garage. 

No surprise that actual, livable residential construction is booming in the East End and other places far away from the stadiums.

Meanwhile the specter of gentrification becomes more visible.

Recent Penn Plaza evictions highlight East Liberty's severe lack of affordable housing 

Duh, who would have seen this coming? Certainly, not the new so called, progressive mayor who has so far kissed the ring of any and all team demands.

Pittsburgh task force on affordable housing to convene Thursday

“It’s critical because if we’re going to be an inclusive city and a city that allows for all income ranges to live here and prosper, you’re always going to need some affordable housing,” he said. “It’s really a conversation that is very timely, that is very needed.”

Followed by a call for the same kind of subsidies and policies that have helped make housing so affordable in New York, Boston and San Francisco.

How about  the city, state and federal government start by not helping sports teams turn the city into a parking lot for occasional fans. 

The Cleveland Browns Want More City Money For Immediate Stadium Repairs

In most cases tax financed sports stadiums are the gift that keeps on taking.
Known in Cleveland, as the factory of sadness, Browns Stadium might take the cake.

From Cleveland.Com

"Under the complicated proposal, the Browns would get this year's $850,000 plus $5 million from the next six years of repair money drawn from the tax revenue collected countywide on alcohol and tobacco sales and administered by the city. In exchange, the city would not have to make its annual contributions from the tax money to a stadium repair fund for the next six years.

But what happens if additional needs arise during that time? Ken Silliman, Mayor Frank Jackson's chief of staff, said the city will consider dipping further into the so-called sin tax money."

The team contends they are fixing the effects of the harsh northern climate. (Hello, who chose to put it that location on the lake front?)

Pack up the truck and get lost, scumbags. IMHO, Cleveland is sort of a great town, it doesn't need this abuse and it could certainly put this piece of land to better use.