97-11-07 Trustees: Ohio Stadium to be Renovated OHIO STADIUM WILL UNDERGO RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION COLUMBUS -- Seventy-five years after it hosted its first season of football, the landmark Ohio Stadium at The Ohio State University will get a $150 million renovation. When work is complete -- in 2001 -- the stadium will feature more seats, better accessibility, additional restrooms and concession stands and hospitality suites and club seats. The stadium will maintain its distinctive horseshoe shape that has become synonymous with Ohio State football. The university’s Board of Trustees today (11/7) approved a request to seek bids for construction contracts. “The renovation of Ohio Stadium, while preserving the great tradition of The Ohio State University, will allow us to generate new exciting spaces for our students, faculty and staff and assist our outstanding athletic program as it embarks on the 21st century,” said David Williams II, vice president for student affairs. Director of Athletics Andy Geiger added that “Perhaps most importantly, the renovation project will add at least 50 years to the life of a monument that symbolizes The Ohio State University.” “Fans will enjoy a better experience all the way around, with improved sight lines and spectator amenities such as additional and improved restrooms and concessions,” said Janet Pichette, vice president for business and administration. “This project is consistent with the university’s mission of continuing its role as a top public research institution that is committed to being student-centered and focused on our goals of student experience, academic excellence and fiscal growth,” Williams said. On the west side of B deck, 82 private hospitality suites will be sold for between $40,000 and $70,000 per suite, which will fund about 30 percent of the renovation. The 2,500 club seats will be sold for approximately $2,000 each and will generate about 45 percent of the project’s funding. Information about suites and club seats is available by calling 688-TIXS (8497). “Without the addition of hospitality suites and club seats, the preservation and renovation of Ohio Stadium would not be a reality,” Geiger said. “The project is being completely funded by increased revenues and will not require any tuition increases, student fees, state subsidy or university general funds of any kind,” said Bill Shkurti, vice president for finance. Revenue from increased seating capacity and concession and ticket revenue will account for the other 25 percent of funding. A portion of the normal annual increase in ticket prices -- about $2 a year during each of the three years of construction -- will go directly to the project during the life of the bond financing. New seating will offer better visibility and six new elevators will provide better access. Exit widths and restroom facilities also will be improved. The renovation project will result in the loss of 13,000 seats, but the other expansions will add 20,000 seats, for a net increase of 7,000 seats and a total 96,000. “If we do not undertake this project, with code and concerns about the Americans with Disabilities Act that we must address, we could lose enough seats to take us down to fewer than 80,000 seats,” Geiger said. For fans with disabilities, there will be greater selection of seating options and additional handicapped restrooms. All fans will enjoy better visibility and new elevators. “The additional capacity is necessary and helpful in helping us meet the tremendous demand from our fans to see Buckeye games,” Geiger said. “While the major focus of this project is the renovation and preservation of this fine stadium, a number of other exciting projects will result from this decision by the Board of Trustees to move forward,” Williams said. Since the track in the stadium will be removed in the renovation project, a new 10,000-seat track and soccer stadium dedicated Jesse Owens will be built. This $10 million facility, which will be located adjacent to the new Bill Davis Baseball Stadium, will be home to the university’s track and soccer teams and serve as a resource for the entire university community. During the construction, four academic units -- cognitive science, English as a second language, English and social and behavioral sciences, will be temporarily relocated. On their return the stadium will be renovated with new amenities and their space will be beautified and more comfortable. The marching band, which is housed in the northwest side of the Ohio Stadium, will be relocated to a better renovated space on the northeast side of the stadium that will allow more flexibility, more practice space and potential growth. “The Stadium Scholarship Dormitory, a great asset of this fine university that combines scholarship with a cooperative work experience, will be continued in a more livable environment,” Williams said. This program, which has assisted hundreds of Ohio State students receive their education, will be continued, but relocated to historic Mack Hall on Neil Avenue. “This location will integrate the Rathskellar in Pomerene Hall to afford this group of students a better living environment with an accessible work experience,” Williams said. “The dormitory in the Ohio Stadium, while a tradition, has numerous code problems and is considered by our residence staff as a facility that needs to be updated,” Williams said. “This move to Mack Hall preserves the concept of the scholarship/cooperative program, maintains the sense of a community and allows us to give our students a nicer place to live.” While some parking spaces will be lost beginning in May 1998 when utility relocation work begins, there will be additional parking and traffic impact beginning in December of 1998 when actual construction starts. “While a new parking garage expansion in the area slated to open in the winter of 1998 and parking lots at the new Schottenstein Center should help minimize the impact from the temporary loss of spaces, this project will help support the building of an addition new parking garage in the area,” Pichette said. Work is slated to begin in May 1998 with a three-month utility relocation. Actual construction will begin in December 1998 following the football season and will be ongoing until the start of the 2001 football season. Football games during that time will continue to be played in the stadium, but construction may cause other stadium events to be moved. “The north and south end towers and the north end rotunda will be preserved. We are pleased to be able to accomplish the renovation while respecting and protecting the existing historic structure,” Geiger said. # Contact: Andy Geiger, director of Athletics, 614-292-7572. [Submitted by: Von Vargas (vargas.12@osu.edu) Fri, 7 Nov 1997 16:42:36 -0500 (EST)] All documents are the responsibility of their originator.