GMU: Where Construction is Tradition

[mkaufman1]

I drive through the Mason campus on the weekly basis and cannot figure out the building site for the new PC.
Has the administration proposed any locations?

Nothing has been proposed. Last we've all heard, Edwards and co are trying to figure out whether to propose a new arena or a major overhaul of the PC.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I drive through the Mason campus on the weekly basis and cannot figure out the building site for the new PC.
Has the administration proposed any locations?

Would have to imagine if they did decide to go that route it would either be on the same location or a few feet to the side of it. With the push to eliminate surface parking and use space wisely I hope that lots A/C get put to good use.

On another note, I took photo's of the Academic VII construction for those who can't get to campus that much but it keeps kicking up an error when I try to upload the photos. I've tried both JPEG and PNG. Anyone know what's up with that.

 

[wijg]

I believe there has been consideration of building a new arena on Mason land further west on Braddock, as well.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I believe there has been consideration of building a new arena on Mason land further west on Braddock, as well.

What a recipe for even less students in the stands, although I guess that would free them to do some big stuff on what is currently lots A/C

 

[Pikapppatri8]

What a recipe for even less students in the stands, although I guess that would free them to do some big stuff on what is currently lots A/C

But some of the land they are considering on buying would allow them to put the new PC close to all the other athletic assets - plus there is also a shuttle planned to get students to both ends of campus (like they do at VA Tech). I don't think it would hurt too much.

 

[gmujim92]

But some of the land they are considering on buying would allow them to put the new PC close to all the other athletic assets - plus there is also a shuttle planned to get students to both ends of campus (like they do at VA Tech). I don't think it would hurt too much.

Yep, create a sort of "athletic village" with the arena, field house, and soccer/baseball stadiums all west of 123.

Sounds like something that could be beautiful once it's all done.

 

[MasonSAE4]

But some of the land they are considering on buying would allow them to put the new PC close to all the other athletic assets - plus there is also a shuttle planned to get students to both ends of campus (like they do at VA Tech). I don't think it would hurt too much.

Not so much opposed to it because of it being a bad plan, but because student apathy is just so damn high. I fear any little thing to make it slightly more inconvenient will keep people away. Guess I could be wrong though. If it were something like football and the weather was warmer I wouldn't be worried but even with an arena in the main part of campus our turnout is crap.

Also, what are they planning on buying? For some reason I'm fascinated with campus planning and construction at Mason and I don't know why.

 

[gmujim92]

Students are notorious front-runners. Once we're winning again, they'll hop a shuttle to get to the games.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Yeah, maybe an arena that doesn't feel like a dungeon will help too

 

[Pikapppatri8]

Yeah, maybe an arena that doesn't feel like a dungeon will help too

And not so big - it is easier to fill a 7500 seat arena with nice amenities and it sounds more electric than the same number of people in a 10,000 seat arena.

 

[MasonSAE4]

And not so big - it is easier to fill a 7500 seat arena with nice amenities and it sounds more electric than the same number of people in a 10,000 seat arena.

If it were strictly a college venue it would be great to reduce it. But will the administration allow it when it brings in so many other events? And what land is Mason trying to purchase?

 

[GMUgemini]

And not so big - it is easier to fill a 7500 seat arena with nice amenities and it sounds more electric than the same number of people in a 10,000 seat arena.

9,500 with luxury boxes I say


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[GiantKiller_Co]

9,500 with luxury boxes I say


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Yup. Gotta keep in mind that in the off season Mason has tons of events in the PC/EBA. Adding luxury seating, video systems, a new scoreboard, expansion of the office area/hospitality areas (that side of EBA has a lot of area to work with) and some decorative overhauls is all we need. Mason should keep a high seat number because our trajectory is only up. We can't sell ourselves short just to fix a short term problem.

 

[liem.le.3388]

Yup. Gotta keep in mind that in the off season Mason has tons of events in the PC/EBA. Adding luxury seating, video systems, a new scoreboard, expansion of the office area/hospitality areas (that side of EBA has a lot of area to work with) and some decorative overhauls is all we need. Mason should keep a high seat number because our trajectory is only up. We can't sell ourselves short just to fix a short term problem.

I see no reason why this can't be done considering how much revenue the PC brings in every year. They were 4th in the nation this year in revenue.

 

[MasonSAE4]

Yup. Gotta keep in mind that in the off season Mason has tons of events in the PC/EBA. Adding luxury seating, video systems, a new scoreboard, expansion of the office area/hospitality areas (that side of EBA has a lot of area to work with) and some decorative overhauls is all we need. Mason should keep a high seat number because our trajectory is only up. We can't sell ourselves short just to fix a short term problem.

Think I'd rather just see a new arena at that point. The place is getting up there in age, it's not like we built a new arena and forgot a few things. It's fairly dumpy.

 

[MasonSAE4]

For those who can't get to campus much, this is kinda cool. Hit time lapse at the top.

http://oxblue.com/open/whiting-turner/GMU

 

[GMUgemini]

Think I'd rather just see a new arena at that point. The place is getting up there in age, it's not like we built a new arena and forgot a few things. It's fairly dumpy.

I'm sure it's going to depend on the cost analysis.

A new arena is going to cost over $100 million (Towson's arena cost $85 million and it's got a 5,200 seat capacity).

The question is, how much will a really good renovation of EBA cost? Renovations can sometimes be more expensive than new construction, but if they can do a remake EBA with $75 million or less, I think that's what is going to happen.

 

[GMU92]

I'm sure it's going to depend on the cost analysis.

A new arena is going to cost over $100 million (Towson's arena cost $85 million and it's got a 5,200 seat capacity).

The question is, how much will a really good renovation of EBA cost? Renovations can sometimes be more expensive than new construction, but if they can do a remake EBA with $75 million or less, I think that's what is going to happen.

My concern is can some of these things be accomplished within the confines of the current EBA?
We already found out that the roof cannot handle a full video scoreboard system (if I'm not mistaken we were offered the old one from Verizon Center but had to decline). And I have no idea how luxury suites would be integrated, the building design just doesn't seem to be set up for it. Such changes would probably mean flattening everything from the ground level up, big bucks. Think we're going to be living with the current building for some time yet.

 

[Pikapppatri8]

My concern is can some of these things be accomplished within the confines of the current EBA?
We already found out that the roof cannot handle a full video scoreboard system (if I'm not mistaken we were offered the old one from Verizon Center but had to decline). And I have no idea how luxury suites would be integrated, the building design just doesn't seem to be set up for it. Such changes would probably mean flattening everything from the ground level up, big bucks. Think we're going to be living with the current building for some time yet.

I agree overall, It will be easier and cheaper to build new


Broads, Buicks, and Buckley

 

[mkaufman1]

The seating bowl can't be moved or rotated, so it would have to be gutted and completely redone in any renovation. I can't see the folks in charge wanting to shutdown the building for an entire year considering the amount of money that comes in for Mason to help keep other costs at bay. A new arena would probably be more likely.