Bleacher Reconstruction Update - April 4

by Al on Apr 4, 2006 7:27 PM CDT in 2005-06 Bleacher Reconstruction Project Comment 16 comments

You'll see in some of the photos that there are several surfaces yet to be painted. Maybe I ought to wear a poncho on Friday. I hope they're done -- in 1946 the old Boston Braves were forced to host the Phillies at Fenway Park because they had painted their seats and they hadn't yet dried.

Now, David's report and photos from Monday evening, April 3:

I took the EL to the park today. Almost all the equipment is now gone from the area outside the ballpark, and so there is an unobstructed view of the exterior. I was there around 6:30PM, and I could hear work still going on, inside the park, mostly drilling and hammering sounds. The new exterior lights were turned on, and are visible in some of my photos.

When I was leaving, it looked like there were boxes stacked in the bleacher box area. Those boxes could contain the new seats for this area. I could not see if any seats were installed there. At this point it was getting too dark to take a photo of this scene.

With the sidewalks looking all spiffy, and the exterior walls completed, the construction barricades won't be needed. They have to be removed soon. Before Friday, right?

I will say one thing about the way the structure is built. Look in particular at photo "h", the last one on the bottom row. I sure hope the steel superstructure is strong enough to hold all the people who will be sitting behind the back brick wall, and on the walkway.

Just sayin'.

I haven't yet updated the timeline; I'll try to get to that tomorrow. - UPDATE [2006-4-5 8:27:34 by Al]: The timeline has been updated, Wednesday morning.

Top: view of the "knothole" gate area, with both the inner and outer gates, in the lowered position. This is in the right field corner, on Sheffield; the new bleacher entrance. View looking south, down Sheffield; the Waveland Ave. side of the new bleacher entrance; the Waveland Ave.side, behind the center field scoreboard. You can see how wide the new patio area is, behind the scoreboard.

Bottom: for the ballhawks. View from Kenmore Ave., behind the left field bleachers; behind the left field bleachers, looking east down Waveland; top of the new left field corner. Note part of the new fence still awaiting a paint job; view of the new left field corner, looking east down Waveland

Photos by David Sameshima

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The Construction Barricades Are Gone

I just came from Wrigley. All the barricades have been removed from Sheffield and Waveland Avenues. The sidewalks are now open. There is a new sign above the bleacher entrance, "BUD LIGHT BLEACHERS". It is spelled. out using individual silver colored block letters I will send you some photos shortly. There is a strip of soil, at the base of the new brick wall, going around the entire bleachers. It is for the ivy? The "peephole" gate has not been covered up, so you can walk right up, and look onto the field.

by holy mackerel on Apr 4, 2006 7:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Looking good...

Can't wait to see the inside.

Two thoughts: If that's the final knothole view, just leave it open. Nothing to see here folks--just a view of the outfield through two fences 15' apart.

In the last shot the contrast between the new brick and metal and the old concrete/pebbles facade is amazing. Time to give the rest of the exterior a little makeover...maybe next year.

by bison on Apr 4, 2006 8:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree..

After reading this comment.....

.....I have to say I was thinking the same thing! I know they had to have done so many tests and things before hand, but still...Well I hope it is all ready for Friday! I will be there Saturday...:)

by akbeck98 on Apr 4, 2006 8:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bleachers

Yep. Otherwise it would lend new and scary meaning to "Cubs collapse". I've got a hunch it's stronger than you think. But we'll find out. Meanwhile, a beautiful turn of events: now that we are past the spring equinox, the setting sun can bathe the Waveland bricks in warm rays of light. d:)

by Wahkeenah on Apr 4, 2006 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

cantilevered beams

not overrated.

by mike bornemann on Apr 4, 2006 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not worried

about the overhang falling down(those are some decent sized structural members)

but I am thinking that while waiting in line it will provide some much needed shade

by flyball on Apr 5, 2006 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or...

... shelter from the rain.

by Al on Apr 5, 2006 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks great, but long term..

Hey Guys, i agree that all the pics posted look really great, no doubt about that. I'm just wondering what the Cubs' long term plan is for the renovation of Wrigley itself, beyond the triangular building that's going to be built (next offseason?). If you look at picture 8(h), you've got the brand new exterior of the bleachers attached to the rusted wall above the portajohns. I'm not one of those people who wants wholesale changes to Wrigley, but at some point the rest of the exterior is going to have to be renovated to fit in with the new additions.

by Cubbie2784 on Apr 4, 2006 9:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cheers

to you Al and all your buddies who were kind enough to brings these to us, I think I speak for a lot of people when I say it's very appreciated.

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Apr 4, 2006 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know, guys . . .

I stick by my earlier comment that this is going to lead to MORE balls out on Waveland. (I've never hawked balls on Sheffield.)
This new combo-fence looks to be lower overall than the high ratty chain-link that used to be there.
I can't wait to see it. Opening day is just a couple of days away!!

"Respect the game above all else." - Ryne Sandberg, July 31, 2005, Cooperstown, NY

by Tom on Apr 4, 2006 11:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It all depends on the arc of the ball

Line drive-type home runs are more likely to leave the park now, because they won't hit the True Link Fence (anyone remember those commercials with Dawson?), but fly balls are less likely, because they come down at a significantly sharper angle.

Either way, strategies for hawkers will have to change.

AC036198

by gjdow on Apr 5, 2006 2:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Back screen

Without it, where are the kids going to stick the empty cups to spell out "GO CUBS" or whatever? Or do they still do that?

by Wahkeenah on Apr 5, 2006 11:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what if

it rains on TH and FR? We get seat covers to keep our butts froms turning green? :(

by bh714 on Apr 5, 2006 1:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And...

... the weather forecast does not look good.

by Al on Apr 5, 2006 3:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks Good

I'm a traditionalist but the bleachers look really good from the outside. How they look from the inside remains to be seen. However I can live without the Busch family reference. Now maybe the Hamms Bleachers or the Old Style Bleachers, but Bud Light Bleachers makes me sick.

by bubbamike the one and only on Apr 5, 2006 8:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs