Idea: Relocating Crew Stadium to the Arena District

[columbusyuppie]

Crew President and General Manager Mark McCullers said Crew Stadium remains an iconic soccer site, but the team needs to look out five to 10 years for its facility needs. The club continues to seek a site for a new practice facility, possibly on Columbus’ suburban east side, he said, and it remains interested in finding a downtown location, especially in the Arena District, for a stadium.

Read more: Columbus Crew looks to translate success into greater support, new stadium – Business First of Columbus

This could definitely be a game changer for Arena District and Downtown Columbus. Do we need another stadium? Thoughts?

[jimbach]

The current stadium location has a lot of liabilities. It’s almost impossible to get to easily except by car. It’s cut off from the campus community by railroad tracks, and the neighborhoods surrounding it aren’t the best (I live in one.) I suppose it’s fine for people who drive in from the outlying communities, but for those of us who would like to have it more integrated into a neighborhood, it’s less than ideal.

We don’t NEED another stadium, but if I could uproot the current one and place it in the Arena District with a view of the river, I’d do it without a second thought.

[somertimeoh]

Would this be a good fit for the old AD casino site? East Fton would also be a good fit as far as accessibility, especially when the walking bridge to/from the AD is completed.

I love going to Crew games, but I hate dealing with the muddy lot and risking my life to climb over those stupid tracks. Going is ok, coming back in the dark, suck fest. I would definitely go to more games if they moved it.

[Walker Evans]

If we’re playing SimCity, I’d prefer that we stick it across the river next to Vet’s Memorial, overhaul that facility, add a 20-story hotel and a multi-use parking deck for all three. The new pedestrian footbridge could connect all of that to the Arena District pretty easily.

Edit: Somertime beat me to it! ;)

Keep the old stadium as the practice facility / rock concert venue.

[somertimeoh]

Yep, exactly where I was thinking. Walker, we’re in sync today :)

[Senator Tankerbell]

I say we all vote to have it in the Arena District – and then a few months later vote again to have it over by Westland Mall.

[Walker Evans]

Senator Tankerbell wrote >>
I say we all vote to have it in the Arena District – and then a few months later vote again to have it over by Westland Mall.

Only if the entire state gets to vote the first time around and Cleveland and Cincinnati are also getting soccer stadiums that are 10 times better than ours. ;)

[Stewz]

I agree that moving it next to Vets Memorial would be great. That could really help to develop that area and having the walking bridge to the AD would also allow the folks in that area to easily access the site. Having it at the AD casino would make a nice Sports Area, with the three venues right in line with each other. Regardless of where it might be located, it has to move from the current site. I love Crew Stadium but the fact that it is basically on an island doesn’t help the area surrounding it and only really caters to the driving population.

[melikecheese]

somertimeoh wrote >>

I love going to Crew games, but I hate dealing with the muddy lot and risking my life to climb over those stupid tracks. Going is ok, coming back in the dark, suck fest. I would definitely go to more games if they moved it.

I think they are paving the muddy lot, I noticed a TON of big yellow truck things and they appeared to be putting a large paved lot down.

[KSquared]

Walker wrote >>
If we’re playing SimCity, I’d prefer that we stick it across the river next to Vet’s Memorial, overhaul that facility, add a 20-story hotel and a multi-use parking deck for all three. The new pedestrian footbridge could connect all of that to the Arena District pretty easily.
Edit: Somertime beat me to it! ;)
Keep the old stadium as the practice facility / rock concert venue.

+1

[Lakee911]

Why not improve access to the existing one? I hate having it in my backyard but before we abandon it, let’s try to make it work…

[Fro]

Yes, they are paving the lots. Stimulus money I believe. Supposed to be done by the Quarter Horse Congress in Oct. As a South Clintonville resident I like the location, and happen to work there, but wouldn’t oppose a move to the arena district.

[rory]

The concerts at Crew Stadium are a pain in the ass. I think the sound system is aimed directly at my house. I spent one afternoon wondering why one of the local gangsters hadn’t shot the person playing the same Steely Dan record at maximum volume over and over until I realized it was the sound check from Crew Stadium. If anything does get built at the Columbus Coated Fabric site they’ll be in the front row for every lame-ass metal show and Rascal Flatts concert. I vote for tearing it down.

[jimbach]

Lakee911 wrote >>
Why not improve access to the existing one? I hate having it in my backyard but before we abandon it, let’s try to make it work…

How would that work? I’m not trying to be argumentative, but this is something about which I’ve given a great deal of thought, and I don’t know what can be done, practically speaking. I suppose the easiest thing would be cutting a path to the railroad tracks at some point, and building a footbridge over it. But such a bridge would, by necessity, have to be really high for the trains to pass under it.

Another idea would be to clean up the area along 17th Avenue from 4th Street to the entrance to the parking lot. That area is a serious eyesore, and walking through it is really unpleasant. You’d also have to improve pedestrian walkways to the stadium, since currently the sidewalks are sporadic at best when walking by the campground area.

But I’d be curious to see what other people suggest, as I think about this every time I walk to and from a match and haven’t come up with anything I consider workable.

[surber17]

There is no way another stadium would hurt the arena district, in fact it will just help bring more business/restaurants to the area. The current location has almost 0 chance, at this time, to turn into a vibrant entertainment district

[Author]

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