Thoughts on the Neyland Entertainment District

[Voltopia]

Personalized your post.

While my emotions agree with practically every negative opinion posted in this thread, the fact of the matter is (regretably, deplorably) that if we want to have winning programs, we have to generate tons more money than imagined even two years ago! Next season's men's basketball team is estimated to be costing $15 million! Absolutely that prices most families out of the picture.

Credit to DA for realizing that coming cost early and acting (how wisely, only time will tell) to get ahead of other athletic departments.

But beyond the new cost of winning, there's also a global economic reset of some kind coming that will inevitably change the donor landscape.

AI seems sure to begin replacing white collar jobs first, and the professions second. Within 4 years, gameday experiences may be affordable only to entrepreneurs. Or--if anything like Musk's predicted universal high income becomes reality--in as many years gamedays may become affordable to everyone again.

With such a radically changing but unpredictable future bearing down on us, it's hard for me to criticize anyone's plan--other than those who would carry on with the status quo, in denial that change is coming. (...no matter how much I abso-dang-tively hate it!)

Generating money by increasing revenue and profit, maybe. That's its own conversation. But generating money by letting private developers elbow in and own more and more of the gameday experience? No. That's not inevitable. That's a choice.

Just like replacing the Pride of the Southland with Joker and the Thief and a bunch of canned music from a playlist is a choice. That's crap, and no one's making them do that. They're choosing to do it.

And another thing. The reports say the school will reap 1.5 million a year plus a percentage of the sales. That's swell. And just how big a slice is that? How much will those companies be profiting from being positioned as the owners of this new gameday experience? Where is all that money going? Who's really profiting from turning the whole thing into a giant storefront?

Not that I'm surprised, really. The career business administrator types whose sole interest is money by any means necessary have taken over.

 

[orangejuice]

“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” - 1 Timothy 6:10

Not sure you can classify building something you dont want as evil. I mean what was the purpose of the original stadium? Was it this benevolent building build out of charity so people could watch football for free, or was it ever expanded to bring in more money and have more fans?

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Generating money by increasing revenue and profit, maybe. That's its own conversation. But generating money by letting private developers elbow in and own more and more of the gameday experience? No. That's not inevitable. That's a choice.

Just like replacing the Pride of the Southland with Joker and the Thief and a bunch of canned music from a playlist is a choice. That's crap, and no one's making them do that. They're choosing to do it.

And another thing. The reports say the school will reap 1.5 million a year plus a percentage of the sales. That's swell. And just how big a slice is that? How much will those companies be profiting from being positioned as the owners of this new gameday experience? Where is all that money going? Who's really profiting from turning the whole thing into a giant storefront?

I'm told there will be "donor requirements" for condo purchase and likely an upcharge for a stadium view room that the Athletic Dept will pocket.

The University won't get all the money from the place but you can bet they'll squeeze the hotel guests, condo owners, and businesses just as much as they squeeze anyone who comes close to Neyland on game day, if not a little harder.

IMO, it's just ugly but I'll bet they find a way to light it up with a Power T and all that and like the fireworks, we'll get used to it.

 

[dobre_shunka]

$250 would be the pricy seats. Was more like $150 for a season ticket in 1991. You could easily scalp a ticket for $20-$40 most any game back then (Heck I paid an Usher $20 to get in the Sugar Bowl WITHOUT A TICKET in 1989 for reference. different times entirely). That would be $363 in today's market. OR half of what we currently paying. The defense rests, Your Honor.

In 1991, cheapest season tickets were south end zone upper deck at $18 to $22 per game plus a required VASF donation of $250 per pair

 

[VolatileVol]

In 1991, cheapest season tickets were south end zone upper deck at $18 to $22 per game plus a required VASF donation of $250 per pair

I've slept a few times since then, but I'm fairly certain only premium seating paid VASF fees (the area you reference did not as best I recall).

 

[Voltopia]

I'm told there will be "donor requirements" for condo purchase and likely an upcharge for a stadium view room that the Athletic Dept will pocket.

The University won't get all the money from the place but you can bet they'll squeeze the hotel guests, condo owners, and businesses just as much as they squeeze anyone who comes close to Neyland on game day, if not a little harder.

IMO, it's just ugly but I'll bet they find a way to light it up with a Power T and all that and like the fireworks, we'll get used to it.

Well I agree it's ugly, but I don't think I will ever get used to it. So I'll just call it what it is, and adjust my habits accordingly. Just like I'll never get used to them treating Joker and the Thief like it's our damned fight song. Gah. Just the worst.

 

[EZE]

oh noooooo what will we do.

It's no big deal, The loss of the businesses and the remodel of the Strip was a MUCH MUCH bigger loss for the UT campus.

This will be just fine and people will love it when they see it in final form

If it’s anything like what the Texas Rangers have around their new ballpark, most fans will like it…except for those who resist change no matter how good it is.

It’s nice to have a place to congregate after a big win. Texas Live was a blast during the Rangers World Series run.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

The strip is dead, parking is dwindling, there is no good place to hang out unless you buy a parking pass which will go up in price since there will be less spaces available now. This Entertainment District will be filled 7-8 times a year but other than that I don't think it'll be as busy as the administration think.

Don't forget about TBA. 1/5 of the people attend a basketball game, but that area will be buzzing during basketball season too.

 

[05_never_again]

The strip is dead, parking is dwindling, there is no good place to hang out unless you buy a parking pass which will go up in price since there will be less spaces available now. This Entertainment District will be filled 7-8 times a year but other than that I don't think it'll be as busy as the administration think.

It will depend on how exactly it is set up and what vendors are there. If it is done like The Battery in Atlanta, of course it will be busiest during football season and particularly on gamedays but people will be there all year. You've also got ~16-18 home basketball games per year.

 

[05_never_again]

Generating money by increasing revenue and profit, maybe. That's its own conversation. But generating money by letting private developers elbow in and own more and more of the gameday experience? No. That's not inevitable. That's a choice.

Just like replacing the Pride of the Southland with Joker and the Thief and a bunch of canned music from a playlist is a choice. That's crap, and no one's making them do that. They're choosing to do it.

And another thing. The reports say the school will reap 1.5 million a year plus a percentage of the sales. That's swell. And just how big a slice is that? How much will those companies be profiting from being positioned as the owners of this new gameday experience? Where is all that money going? Who's really profiting from turning the whole thing into a giant storefront?

Not that I'm surprised, really. The career business administrator types whose sole interest is money by any means necessary have taken over.

What do you think college athletics has been since (at least) the early 80s? Are you a commie or something?

 

[TNnative]

IMO, it’s all relative to where people park. For me, I’m already on the South side of the stadium tailgating in either G10 or G5/30. On it, the G10 option is gone.

Will people that park on the Strip or in the Ft. walk that far? I don’t know.

Parking at the Ag campus and catching the bus has always been one of the best choices. But since I would come up from that end, it works for me. Now granted, it has been awhile, but I have never seen those lots overflowing.

Now as to my thought on the redevelopment? Really immaterial, since it seems they are all go on it. Just like the plan that significantly reduced seating. But since it is being done mostly by Tennessee Alumni? I trust those folks to hash it out and get it right. As much as I am resistant to change, I am excited for this opportunity they are getting. But as all progressive changes, this seems like something people with the wallet to afford it will like.

Is the foot bridge crossing the river still in the plans?

I hope not. Since I was in the rescue squads once upon a time, I would not want to dive nor drag those waters. Neither is fun. And since we have no shortage of nutcases in and around Knoxville? I don't like that idea at all.

 

[TNnative]

I'm not an Engineer, but I did once stay at a Holiday Inn Express, so here is my solution. The District Developers obviously have deep pockets, so why don't they build a 10 story parking garage OVER the Tennessee River? I mean, all you are doing is taking up wasted space, right??? Seriously, it would alleviate all the parking woes surrounding Neyland and if they place an outdoor park on the top deck, there will be much added space for families to share picnics 52 weeks a year plus, tailgaters would have a wonderful new venue. "DondeWood" is real and it is coming everyone. All in favor say "Aye"!

View attachment 830365​

Nay. Too damn expensive, and thought no fault line may yet exist there, it could create one.

 

[brockytop]

Are you saying the strip is gone? I haven't been back in years, so that's shocking to me

To say the life & soul was ripped out of The Strip for something more aesthetically pleasing is an understatement of epic proportions.

 

[Remy]

I have to chuckle to myself reading all the righteous indignation about “ money changing hands” etc etc etc. Knoxville , who gave us the Worlds Fair by way of the Butcher Brothers and more money changing hands than there are grains of sand on Daytona Beach???? You ought be used to it by now, guess not. LOL

 

[njvols]

The district is commercial glitz, lacking in any character or substance. No different from any other pro sport venue. Just more opportunities to uproot anything unique or local and replace it with commercial point-of-sale stations.

The hotel however is a complete travesty, and I cannot believe the powers that be are allowing it. Actually, no, strike that, I can believe it, because there must be money changing hands to get that approved. I despise it.

Have you noticed they NEVER show any views of what the building will look like from inside the stadium? They always show "low" or distant views from the ground, at angles that make look the hotel look as unobtrusive as possible. But if you look closely, the hotel is almost TRIPLE the height of the Neyland press boxes, and wide enough to stretch from section GG to the letters or even the jumbotron (it's tough to tell with the renders; the idea they'd build a hotel that only stretches the distance between GG and IIis hard to swallow - and every new render it gets a little bigger).

Just look at how damn tall the thing is in this picture.

View attachment 830329View attachment 830332
Look at that. It's even bigger than original renders - and it's RIGHT NEXT to the stadium. In the old renders, the building was at least lower and somewhat in line with the press boxes (and that one sucked too, just less than this new rendering). The building will make the view feel cramped, claustrophobic, but worst of all, it will permanently break up the brilliant blue skylines of Neyland. Just imagine seeing this next time you're in your seats-

View attachment 830336
Or this -

View attachment 830337
Now those are just dirty photoshops, but it's not like the real thing will be any better. No more unbroken view of Tennessee, no more full blue sky, all for a giant private commercial condo building built for specific folks to preside over everything. And THAT'S why they don't EVER show renderings of the building from inside the stadium, because they know how awful it's going to look. And the less people pay attention, the easier it'll be to build it without complaint.

I know for some it doesn't matter. "I just want to watch football," etc., etc. That's all whatever. I'm sure plenty wouldn't care if they built six condo-hotels around the entire exterior and blocked the view of everything. I've given up on thinking otherwise. But aesthetically the design is garish and will detract from the visual experience inside the stadium.

Replacing mountains view w/ hotel...NICE. Suppose nothing wrong with having a big windows reflecting on the field either.

 

[particlesmatter]

Don’t like it one bit.

Probably the right thing for the program bit that space should and could have been used for new dorms, which are truly needed.

All of that money better not just go to football. I’d like to see Hodges library get a facelift along with more dorms.

 

[trout-vol]

It will depend on how exactly it is set up and what vendors are there. If it is done like The Battery in Atlanta, of course it will be busiest during football season and particularly on gamedays but people will be there all year. You've also got ~16-18 home basketball games per year.

Maybe they'll tack on a talent fee surcharge on all the restaurants. Well, hopefully it'll work but I'm not sure. I wish they could open up some more parking or another parking garage

 

[beachvol23]

I am for it however as I have written them publicly, and privately, I think the design is actually not bold enough. There’s a lot more potential on the waterfront.

I don’t care if they make the hotel condo tower 35 stories: the cubism façade needs to go. They need to incorporate the modern Gothic fusion design like the tower on the new student center.

Most of the people that are complaining have zero clue about commercial development. Those same people, the first time they go, will love it.

 

[TNnative]

Are you saying the strip is gone? I haven't been back in years, so that's shocking to me

Last few times I drove through? It is almost impossible to tell where the old bars were. I can kinda tell what used to be the Long Branch, but the Lap? Forget about it.

I guess they landscaped a few positive in their own minds. But the condos and apartments are just about all you can see. Of course, the biggest loss from my time there that was technically bordering Cumberland Ave? Strong Hall. Best damn cafeteria on campus, and it is not even close. It is, (and someone correct me if I am wrong) but it was the one on campus dining establishment that nobody dared start a food fight in. The food was that good.


Edit: DAMMIT! If Google Maps is accurate, it looks like they leveled Melrose. That was a dorm my Dad helped lay brick for. That was the most peaceful dorm on campus. Talk about a crying shame!

 

[TNnative]

I have to chuckle to myself reading all the righteous indignation about “ money changing hands” etc etc etc. Knoxville , who gave us the Worlds Fair by way of the Butcher Brothers and more money changing hands than there are grains of sand on Daytona Beach???? You ought be used to it by now, guess not. LOL

Well I am older, so I am forced to agree. But you have to remember; There are quite a few posters on here that were not even around for 1982.

 

[Scottt5]

The district is commercial glitz, lacking in any character or substance. No different from any other pro sport venue. Just more opportunities to uproot anything unique or local and replace it with commercial point-of-sale stations.

The hotel however is a complete travesty, and I cannot believe the powers that be are allowing it. Actually, no, strike that, I can believe it, because there must be money changing hands to get that approved. I despise it.

Have you noticed they NEVER show any views of what the building will look like from inside the stadium? They always show "low" or distant views from the ground, at angles that make look the hotel look as unobtrusive as possible. But if you look closely, the hotel is almost TRIPLE the height of the Neyland press boxes, and wide enough to stretch from section GG to the letters or even the jumbotron (it's tough to tell with the renders; the idea they'd build a hotel that only stretches the distance between GG and IIis hard to swallow - and every new render it gets a little bigger).

Just look at how damn tall the thing is in this picture.

View attachment 830329View attachment 830332
Look at that. It's even bigger than original renders - and it's RIGHT NEXT to the stadium. In the old renders, the building was at least lower and somewhat in line with the press boxes (and that one sucked too, just less than this new rendering). The building will make the view feel cramped, claustrophobic, but worst of all, it will permanently break up the brilliant blue skylines of Neyland. Just imagine seeing this next time you're in your seats-

View attachment 830336
Or this -

View attachment 830337
Now those are just dirty photoshops, but it's not like the real thing will be any better. No more unbroken view of Tennessee, no more full blue sky, all for a giant private commercial condo building built for specific folks to preside over everything. And THAT'S why they don't EVER show renderings of the building from inside the stadium, because they know how awful it's going to look. And the less people pay attention, the easier it'll be to build it without complaint.

I know for some it doesn't matter. "I just want to watch football," etc., etc. That's all whatever. I'm sure plenty wouldn't care if they built six condo-hotels around the entire exterior and blocked the view of everything. I've given up on thinking otherwise. But aesthetically the design is garish and will detract from the visual experience inside the stadium.

Kinda like Darth Vader glaring down upon us!

 

[Smokey X]

I have to chuckle to myself reading all the righteous indignation about “ money changing hands” etc etc etc. Knoxville , who gave us the Worlds Fair by way of the Butcher Brothers and more money changing hands than there are grains of sand on Daytona Beach???? You ought be used to it by now, guess not. LOL

Ah yes...and Jake's erection still stands as a reminder.

 

[dobre_shunka]

I've slept a few times since then, but I'm fairly certain only premium seating paid VASF fees (the area you reference did not as best I recall).

VASF started in 1986.

I'm not relying on my memory. I had season tickets in 1991 and still have the stubs to know the per game price and can look up my yearly donations in my online UTAD account.

 

[WallyBalls]

I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near gameday management with a hotel attached to the stadium. Bomb sweeps are enough of a pain without having to deal with a bunch of private rooms and guests.

Layer in 60 condos owned by those with enough money but not enough sense to still buy one....

They'll have fun with that.

 

[strkr]

A room with a view won’t be $400. Try more like a $1,000.

Probably so brother.