Bleacher Reconstruction Update - March 26

by Al Yellon on Mar 26, 2006 9:55 PM CST in 2005-06 Bleacher Reconstruction Project

They're making progress.

No, really. Look at the speed with which the walls went up around the new stairwell. And, the entranceways -- nice fences, incidentally -- are nearly complete.

There's just ... one ... small ... detail.

As you can see -- most clearly in the first two photos -- there aren't any benches yet! There are going to be butts waiting to occupy those seats a week from Friday.

I know they'll make it. The construction crews have been hardworking and done a terrific job. But I'll bet they're working right up to the last minute.

If you have clicked on the timeline in the last two weeks, you know that it was messed up. I finally figured out the trouble and fixed it -- the timeline is now also updated.

Top: new wall in place, around the left field corner stairwell; top of the new left/center field area. Note the new emergency exit signs, that have been installed; Waveland Ave side, behind left field, looking east; for the ballhawks. View from Kenmore Ave.

Middle: bleacher entrance area, Waveland Ave.side. Note the section of fencing being lowered in place, on the right side of the photo; Waveland Ave., behind the left field bleachers, looking west. The rebuilt emergency exit/employee access stairwell is visible, in the top of the photo; new bleacher entrance area; another photo of the new bleacher entrance area.

Bottom: Sheffield Ave. side, below the right field bleachers, looking south. Note the new sidewalk; view behind the right right field bleachers. Note the visible gap between the bleacher boxes, on the left, and the regular bleachers, on the right. Also note the sidewalk has not yet been rebuilt in this area; view behind the right field bleachers, taken from across the street, on Sheffield Ave. This is the view directly behind the area also seen in previous photo; view of the new brick wall enclosing the new right field corner stairwell.

Photos by David Sameshima, taken Saturday, March 25

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Comments

The decorative metal work...

in shots 7-8 is nice. Here's hoping it makes it way to the front of the park eventually.

by bison on Mar 26, 2006 10:24 PM CST reply actions

where can...

i pee???

Are the loo's finished??

or are we going to Murphy's for a pit stop?

by bh714 on Mar 26, 2006 10:27 PM CST reply actions

It doesn't look like...

... they've done any work on the toilet facilities. Hope some of those workers who have been so busy lately are plumbers.

There are always the portapotties on Waveland.

by Al Yellon on Mar 26, 2006 10:29 PM CST up reply actions

what's going to happen is...

they are going to make us go to the grandstand loo's.

by bh714 on Mar 26, 2006 10:38 PM CST up reply actions

Good point....

... that's going to keep Ray and the other ushers real busy checking bleacher tickets. Don't lose yours!

by Al Yellon on Mar 26, 2006 10:39 PM CST up reply actions

that's a good point

Never thought about going in the gradstand. Here's my question though. I parked by a group of Chicago people last Thursday in Mesa. They were telling me that if they aren't done opening day there is a million dollar a day fine in the contract. Can anyone confirm or deny?

by mrcubsfan on Mar 27, 2006 2:58 PM CST up reply actions

Various Subjects

Everyone - I was on the Addison El Stand today - Not only are the bleachers benches in the house - they look pretty cool. Not sure how you can make the judgment that there are no bleacher benches without the pictures. The only thing I couldn't see was the new bleacher box seats - didn't look like those are in.

Then the bathrooms - I thought they were building two new bathrooms in the bleachers and keeping the old ones as - is. I seem to remember that from the Cubs Convention presentation. I could be mistaken but I'm confused to why you think they haven't built the new bathrooms...

by Tallone on Mar 27, 2006 12:41 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the update...

... it does appear from some of the photos that the benches weren't in. Thanks for confirming that they are.

Don't know about the "upstairs" bathrooms as they would not be visible from the photos we have taken. The original restrooms do not appear to have any work done to them, yet.

by Al Yellon on Mar 27, 2006 8:49 AM CST up reply actions

Update as of today and some clarifications...

Standing on the train platform today - it seemed that the bleacher benches are done in most of left field.

As far as the bathrooms - I thought that there was a new small bathroom going in on the landing - something to do with the wheelchairs and this was going to be by the elevator shaft.

And then on the ground floor that they are building two big bathrooms back in the area under the bleachers where the concessionaire used to store beer, etc.

Then the old two bathrooms couldn't be touched (only painted etc) due to needing to get up dated to modern code (no horse trough).

by Tallone on Mar 27, 2006 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

the troughs go...

...if anything is changed in any bathroom in the entire park. I learned this a few years ago, and if they need to change one pipe for the sink, the troughs must go.

As for the new bathrooms, Tallone is correct, I think. The Cubs said at the convention that bathrooms will be added upstairs and under the bleachers.

That iron gate looks great, and I can't wait for it to replace the chicken wire and '50s concrete on the front side of the park

stadiumguru

by stadiumguru on Mar 27, 2006 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

I am so excited.....

I cant stand it...

by BillHoldenFan on Mar 26, 2006 10:41 PM CST reply actions

Benches?You don't need no stinkin Benches

You can just sit on the concrete ( and
apparently piss on the ivy). Loo's?
What next Anglophiles, going to go looking
for the WC's ?
All of this is why I gave up a chance for
a bleacher ticket for Opening Day and
will wait till the 8th by which time I am sure
Al, Jeff, Howard , Ron and all the rest of
the regulars will have it all sorted out

by jessica on Mar 26, 2006 10:55 PM CST reply actions

you are confused...

I AM JEFF!!!!

by bh714 on Mar 26, 2006 11:11 PM CST up reply actions

I

just wanted to know if I could be back before the next hitter. :)

by bh714 on Mar 26, 2006 11:14 PM CST up reply actions

What...

... "next hitter"?

by Al Yellon on Mar 26, 2006 11:18 PM CST up reply actions

I know...

we don't have any "hitters"...

only "batters" who can't hit!!! ;)

by bh714 on Mar 26, 2006 11:26 PM CST up reply actions

A one hitter?

Quarter keg of beer perhaps?

by cubsfan2883 on Mar 27, 2006 6:11 AM CST up reply actions

new entrance

I like the metal fencing on the bleacher entrance. I agree with bison. Hopefully they eventually do that all over the place. Perhaps that will be coming when they build the triangle on the side and connect the two structures.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 26, 2006 11:07 PM CST reply actions

I bet the Cards are wishing

that their stadium was as far along as ours! Here's to no home field advantage for our biggest challengers this year! Although I don't sit in the bleachers (impressionable 12 and 7 year olds), I know, all they'll hear is people talking on their cells on the terrace level, but I have to try, I do envy those of you who get the true baseball experience. My family and I will do our best to keep the faith - no cell phones on, gloves on 12 and 7 year old hands, moderate beer intake, and attention firmly on the field...and a few attractive diversions, subtly of course!

by teacher tom on Mar 27, 2006 7:05 AM CST reply actions

Speaking of the Cards..

My dad is down at the Cardinals spring training (he married a Cards fan.... don't worry, it's not the only thing about her that's wretched). I talked to him and said that if he tripped Pujols and took out his shoulder, it wouldn't be the worst thing...

Unfortunately, the man has those pesky "morals" and said he's a spectator, not a hit man.

In other news, I've officially ostracized my father from the family.

she

by Sarah Hope on Mar 27, 2006 7:47 AM CST up reply actions

Gone on SHE

"I've officially ostracized my father from the family."

Good girl.

Cleverly Disguised as a Responsible Adult

by Scott G F on Mar 27, 2006 8:06 AM CST up reply actions

What is the status of the 'knothole?'

Do we have one, or do we "knot?" Hee hee

I thought that the Cubs nixed that idea, but then I kept seeing photos of it.

Anyone know?

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on Mar 27, 2006 8:47 AM CST reply actions

teacher tom

Like the bleachers aren't full of drunk 24 year olds on cell phones? The sun is not your friend. Embrace the grandstand. I also have kids now but I got tired of the bleacher frat party back in the late 80s when I was still in my 20s. I feel like people who won't go out on New Year's or St. Patrick's Day. The bleachers are a never-ending amateur hour. '84 seemed to be a big turning point.

Also, the iron fencing does look great on the bleacher entrance and is a tip of the hat back to the 20s-40s when there was ornamental fencing in many places around the park. I just wonder why they didn't continue it up to the ceiling and completely enclose the entrance. The open area at the top will be like a magnet to the above mentioned drunk 24 year olds to try to climb into the park at night.

by TR on Mar 27, 2006 10:01 AM CST reply actions

Nothing like a typical Chicago summer...

90 degree day and 100 percent humidity, to make the grandstand look pretty good. I checked out the family section, but no beer. What's Wrigley without at least a couple overpriced overlarge warm beers? None for the kids, though. Frosty malts for them.

by teacher tom on Mar 27, 2006 11:09 AM CST reply actions