Bleacher Reconstruction Update - January 7

by Al on Jan 7, 2006 3:56 PM CST in 2005-06 Bleacher Reconstruction Project Comment 17 comments

It's become a popular thing to do -- take pictures of the bleacher project, especially on a gorgeous, sunny, 42-degree afternoon such as today was.

I saw at least half a dozen other people walking around with cameras. None of them walked right up to the barricades like I did, though.

The angle of the sun, at noon when I took these pictures, was directly at me, which is why there's some glare on some of these photos.

Row 1: view from across the street; closeup view of what will be the entrance; view of the back benches in LF with the walkway clearly below the top level of seats; closer view of the back of LF (worker visible)

Row 2: looking east down Waveland; closeup view of the structural work underneath LF; walkway being completed toward left-center; view toward right-center with structure going up behind existing concrete

Row 3: looking south down Sheffield; view underneath unfinished walkway behind right-center; closeup shot of scene in previous photo (you can see the steel piled up; this will become the walkway); this will be your view through the "knothole", if it indeed goes up as scheduled

Bottom: view of the entire sweep of the new structure in right field from the east side of Sheffield

Photos by Al

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I don't know....

about everyone else, but I'm ready for the season.

I know the bleachers aren't ready and the Cubs aren't ready, but I want the season start.

Like always great pictures Al.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Jan 7, 2006 4:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks...

... today was almost Opening Day weather, too... 45 degrees and sunny.

Incidentally, pitchers and catchers report on February 15... that's only 39 days from now.

by Al on Jan 7, 2006 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know...

but 39 days seems like sooo far away.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Jan 7, 2006 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

as is

the three weeks until I leave for FL.

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Jan 7, 2006 5:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I was going...

to Florida, but for vacation. I need one, even though I just had one.

Can you bring me a Mickey autograph? :)

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Jan 7, 2006 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I could probably

get it in three different handwritings for ya. Do you want the weird asian guy, the disgruntled Indian guy or the smelly French guy Mickey?

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Jan 8, 2006 2:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL...

I don't know, it's a tough choice.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Jan 8, 2006 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny...

... for me, it's Quetico weather. The last three years I've taken a nine day canoe/camping trip to Quetico Provinical Park in Ontario in late June-early July. Invariably, we get a weather system to blow in and temps that were in the 80's early in the trip plunge into the mid 40's...during the day. So you sit there, paddling in July and think that this is weather that is meant for Chicago in January.

DmL

by dmlichte on Jan 8, 2006 12:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Improvements

Over the last month it looks like there has been very little change. I am worried it wont be done by april

Great pictures

Go Cubs

by stadiumguru on Jan 7, 2006 4:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

... they have almost finished pouring the concrete in left field; right field will be next, and then the entranceway.

The home opener is April 7; that's 90 days from now. They've had excellent weather this month, and even worked through the snow of December.

They'll be ready.

by Al on Jan 7, 2006 5:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe you...

It just looked like in your pictures that left center, center and right hadn't changed much.

by stadiumguru on Jan 7, 2006 5:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's true...

... they seem to be working from the LF corner, toward CF, with RF last.

by Al on Jan 7, 2006 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Any sign

of the centerfield restaurant, Al?

by TR on Jan 7, 2006 7:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

None whatsoever...

... if you look at the last photo in row 2, you're looking at the space where the restaurant will go.

by Al on Jan 7, 2006 7:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Great photos Al,

I ended up taking the same photos you did today, so there's no point sending you any of mine this weekend. I was thinking about the "peephole" gate. Won't they have to design that space so the gate is still usable? It appears that will remain the only point where vehicles will have access to the playing field. I don't see any other point where they are leaving room for a large gate. That will be interesting if spectators line up, early before a game, only to be cleared away so the official sponsor can drive in the Cub's official car/truck before gametime.

The "peephole" gate will also probably be hidden, underneath the bleacher expansion too. It will be like a cave down there, won't it?

by holy mackerel on Jan 7, 2006 8:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs