Bleacher Reconstruction Update - February 2

by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2006 4:29 PM CST in 2005-06 Bleacher Reconstruction Project

Today, I met my friend Ron from LF at the ballpark; we walked around the site together, reminisced a bit, and talked about how things might go once the gates open on April 7.

You know what, it'll be different - there's almost no way it can't be different. But we will adapt, as we adapted to night games.

The timeline has also been updated.

Top: Behind CF, new blocks being delivered; first wall on Waveland side; the restaurant area (still pretty empty); more wall on Waveland side

Middle: Closeup view of work on Waveland wall; workers atop LF bleachers; nearly complete section of wall on Sheffield; top view of same wall from across the street

Bottom: More Sheffield wall construction; underside of walkway behind right-center; welding and other work in RF corner

Photos by Al

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The Wall.

It's good to see the brick wall going back up. Though I suppose that means that we are that much closer to Al not being able to really update us on the progress that much.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Feb 2, 2006 7:07 PM CST reply actions

Well, yes and no...

... it means we won't be able to see what's going on behind the wall, yes.

But whatever work is being done that can be seen, you can bet I'll take pics.

by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2006 7:18 PM CST up reply actions

We might be able to see inside if...

...some morning we staged a traffic jam at Waveland and Sheffield. Then Chopper 7 might cover the situation and Al could influence where the camera is aimed.

Al Spangler

by AlSpangler on Feb 2, 2006 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

LOL!

But, I do have some other ideas. Give me some time.

by Al Yellon on Feb 3, 2006 6:50 AM CST up reply actions

Cubs.com

Has some pictures from inside the ballpark too, along with information about Concessions on the outside and the 'knothole', which I guess the crowds will not be able to get up to the screen.

I can't seem to find it now though. I think it was in the Cubs newsletter.

by FukudomeAtLarge on Feb 2, 2006 7:50 PM CST reply actions

I'm guessing all the new steel will be painted white? I've always assumed it but never read anything about it. The new photos seem to indicate that. Also, the plan for the outside brick wall is to remain unpainted, which would clash with the exterior of the rest of the park. Would anybody like to see that painted white as well? I know the natural color would blend with the neighborhood buildings, and it is new, but I do like the all-white look. I heard that plans to plant ivy on the outside were scrapped for obvious reasons. I always expected that vandals and souvenir hunters would probably tear it off. Anyway, the outside should look so much better than those slabs of whatever material was there before, except for the CF entrance gate. I will miss the look of the little entrance there, though it will mean less congestion with more turnstiles. Will it really be a big glass entrance??

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Feb 2, 2006 10:28 PM CST reply actions

I am not sure about....

The steel being painted white. I know it shows the steel painted in the photos, but I believe that is just a moisture or fire protection. I could be wrong though.

by Imtrejo on Feb 3, 2006 12:02 AM CST up reply actions

That is, of course...

... the old steel, and it sure looks painted white to me. I imagine the new steel will be painted to match.

by Al Yellon on Feb 3, 2006 6:50 AM CST up reply actions

Yes...

The old steel is painted white, but they also painted portions of the new steel. I am not sure if they are going to leave steel exposed in the new construction or not. Many times if steel is exposed they need to fire proof it with a special paint.

by Imtrejo on Feb 3, 2006 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

so would anybody else like to see...

the outside brick wall painted white to match the rest of the exterior part of park? with touches of green for signage to match as well?

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Feb 3, 2006 2:40 PM CST reply actions

White (Sox) bricks

Wellll... do you want it to look like the old Comiskey Park after Veeck had it painted white???

by Wahkeenah on Feb 3, 2006 7:11 PM CST up reply actions

I thought about old comiskey...

..but that's not what I meant. the rest of the wrigley exterior is white with green trim. only makes sense. the gate signs are green. a darker shade of green than old comisk.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Feb 3, 2006 9:23 PM CST up reply actions

White walls

Aha! That could work. Anything to improve the architectural consistency, yes?

by Wahkeenah on Feb 4, 2006 12:29 AM CST up reply actions

Oh, heavens no...

... and remember, the old bleacher wall was brick. In fact, it appears that the new wall will be quite a bit better looking than the old, which was starting to wear quite a bit (being more than 90 years old).

by Al Yellon on Feb 3, 2006 8:33 PM CST up reply actions

The old wall...

...was of historical interest, but was homely. I'm sure when they threw it up there in the spring of 1914 they weren't necessarily expecting it to still be there 90-plus years later. Notice, please, on the new outer wall, they are subtly retaining the character of the old wall, being kind of laid out in "panels" with "posts" between them, all in brick of course. Forbes Field's outfield wall was constructed this way also.

by Wahkeenah on Feb 4, 2006 12:32 AM CST up reply actions

the outside wall..

thanks for everyone's comments on this. best to reserve judgement until the project is finished. good point about the white on the poles being fire protection. I do hope the girders and the rest of the steel are all white though. more importantly... let's hope for an especially brick-solid year from the new kids on the block: Cedeno, Murton, Pierre, Jones, Howry, Eyre...!!!

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Feb 4, 2006 4:09 PM CST reply actions