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New Baltimore arena announcement expected Thursday
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Related Topics: BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - A panel of state and city leaders is expected to announce their recommendation Thursday for building a new arena in downtown Baltimore, and outline the next steps for the project.
The panel over the past few months has weighed proposals from prominent city developers for a replacement for the aging 1st Mariner Arena, which opened in 1962.
Media reports late last week, citing unnamed sources, said the panel had decided to place the new arena at the site of 1st Mariner. The reports could not be confirmed at the time.
Ed Hale, operator of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team and one of the developers who pitched the panel on a new arena, said the move would “for all intents and purposes ... put us out of business,” and could lead to some lost business when the new building opens. Other developers said a new venue at the site could be an important keystone for west side development.
acahall@baltimoreexaminer.com
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2:32 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 6, 2008 re: "New Baltimore arena announcement expected Thursday"
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5:17 AM MST on Sat., Sep. 27, 2008
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6:46 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 21, 2008
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MJ said:
The new arena would possibly reflect to about of 19,000 seats. My thoughts into the design of the arena is to modilize: Ford Field & Xcel Energy Center(exterior)design & Sprint Center & Conseco Fieldhouse(interior)design. The arena size should be twice as larger and also place an new 20 story business tower and new transit plaza on Baltimore & Hopkins with a new Red Line and Subway Stations connected to Charles Center Station adjancent to the Arena for events only.
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Ty2K said:
Baltimore should get a new bigger 20,000+ seat arena downtown. Use the feild for dreams movie, if you build it he will come. thr browns came to Bmore becuase we built a new home for them. Maybe if we build a new arena new will get a NBA, NHL or AFL teams to come. or even Wrestlemania.
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MJ said:
Before we even get to the new arena lets think of Baltimore first. We becoming a city of disaster but the reason is money being spent to make somebody do more and thats why high hopes of the new Arena to draw money for Baltimore just like Oriole Park draws the Red Sox and Yankees fans who so call Camden Yards there Fenway or Yankee South and thats why that money should go to our public schools and neighborhoods for revitalization and who knows the Wizards might play half there home games here for the result of bringing into the NBA in the first place.
1 agree | 1 disagree
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MJ said:
Ed Hale is sort of right about where the Blast and events would go for 2-3 years its unthinkable. The Blast sort of have to moved to Towson,but it easy for them. But where the concerts and events would go? maybe to Druid Hill Park under a circus tent or not come here, yeah! that would draw us money LOL, really sarcastic.
1 agree | 1 disagree
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MJ said:
The arena should sit NE and SW diagonally or east and west giving more space also take one lane of Hopkins Place out for at least a little more room. Also take some fortunate designs from NFL stadiums like Edward Jones Dome(exterior design),Glendale Stadium(shape of design),Metrodome(access to light rail on Howard Street and Lombard Street of new Red Line)and new Dallas Cowboys Stadium(unique lighting and scenary except in downtown)
1 agree | 1 disagree
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MJ said:
Hopefully M.J. Brodie listening,build a 20,000 seat state-of-the-art arena that would blow the faces off suprised spectators in which it catch NBA,AFL and NHL commissioners eyes at something that would help revitalize Baltimore in the future by that hire Frank Gehry and HOK sports engineers to design an arena that would receive an award for best design structure.
2 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
18500 seats with this new arena is exactly what Baltimore needs. It will attract much larger venues to the arena, and when there is nothing going on inside the arena, if built right, the streets around the arena will always be bustling with new retail. And this will provide a keystone between the developing west side and charles center; hopefully will also support a NBA team which will be supported by Baltimore Sports Fans!
2 agree | 2 disagree
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MJ said:
The idea of a new arena is miraclous, but the scene is inelgible. The easiet fact were to just put it at Gateway South. Its alot closer to I-95, still in walking distance from Downtown, and also to remodilize the area into an luxury spot than demolishing the current base and reconstructing a new arena without thinking about where the events would go for 2-3 years.
1 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Who wants go down there anyway with all of the crime!!!
3 agree | 1 disagree
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Brian said:
The circus doesn't need 18,500 seats. This facility will surely operate at a deficit and cost $100mil more than it should. Here are 4 ways to do this better: 1) Build new medium-sized arena south of Lexington Market 2) Renovate the market and connect with new arena & Metro 3) Demolish old arena; extend Park Ave south to Howard Street; reconnect east-west streets 4) Construct smaller scale buildings along new street grid.
1 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Selfserving baffoons!!
1 agree | 1 disagree
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Ray Smith said:
This state and city are taxed to death, people hungry, losing their homes, losing emplyment, the schools are a disaster, crime rampant, and they are going to sink a fortune into an arena.....what is wrong with this picture?
4 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The circus is stupid anyway. If you want to see a bunch of clowns, go to M&T on Sundays in the fall.
2 agree | 7 disagree
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Civic Center Forever said:
Absolutely Stupid...Say goodbye to the Circus which is a 2 week run. By the way with the exception of Madison Square Garden the Baltimore run of the circus is the longest. What a dumb move to leave the Arena where it is! Westport would be a perfect spot close to M&T and right next to I-95 and 295.....Come on folks use your heads!
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Everett W. said:
Being an equestrian center has not stopped the Show Place Arena from hosting minor league hockey and indoor football teams over the years. The mileage is a toughie but maybe it could work for at least a share of Blast games. My long-term concern is that the rental for an 18,500 seat arena could end up being cost prohibitive for the Blast & Mariners anyway.
1 agree | 2 disagree
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DCS said:
The comment about using other venues is way out of line. With gasoline prices skyrocketing, and no relief in sight, adding miles to the trip to see a game is going to be a non-starter. Just for my example, my drive to see the Blast each game is a 70-mile round trip, and takes about an hour each way. If the Blast were to move to the Verizon Center in DC, my trip would now be 120 miles, and require 1½ hours each way. If they moved to the Comcast Center, my round trip is 125 miles, and takes 2 hours each way because of DC traffic. And it's a basketball court! If they moved to the Show Palace Arena, which is an equestrian center, my round trip is 130 miles, and 1½ hours each way. And that's an equestrian center, not suitable for the Blast. If they moved to the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA, my round trip would now be 150 miles, requiring two+ hours in each direction. And you're not drawing the regular fans from the area! Heck, you're not even in the same state!
5 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If Ed Hale would put up his own money, the arena he wanted would be built today. He wants the taxpayers to build his new arena. Enough! The taxpayers are taxed right up to their eyeballs and yell loud and clear: NO NEW TAXES! Mr. Hale; You want a new arena, build it yourself.
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Attila, well said. Baltimore will NEVER attract an NBA team or an NHL team, which is a dying spectator sport anyway. These d**n politicians just want their name associated with something like this while they are in office. The Blast is one of the top three consistent entertainment draws in the city. The sooner they indict Dixon the better for Baltimore.
8 agree | 8 disagree
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Attila the Hon said:
If the Baltimore Business Journal report is correct, then what the city & state officials are doing is suicidal. Simply suicidal! I just can't believe they can be that stupid. If they were quality managers, they would clearly be aware of the worst-case scenario and avoid that at all costs. Instead they are proving that they are totally incapable of making decisions in the best interest of the City of Baltimore by walking right into it. I really wish I was living in Baltimore so I can help vote these traitors immediately out of office. They are an absolute disgrace!
5 agree | 1 disagree
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Albert said:
The public officials of Baltimore are dropping the ball once again. We deserve a major league sized arena, and not even specifically for the reason of getting an NBA or NHL team. Baltimore is a major American city. There is absolutely no reason why we should not have a legitimate 20,000+ arena. My advice to Mr. Hale is to get those 11,0000 fans, move them to Canton. Erect with a partnership if you can an MLS sized stadium, and live the rest of your life watching the 11,000 multiply along with your endowment and investment. What Mr. Hale did for the city and the soccer fans was and is outstanding, but the UISL is not the future and there is a greater potential for major success with MLS.
8 agree | 2 disagree
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Patterson Park Resident said:
Couldn't Ed Hale just temporarily move the Blast to another venue for two seasons while the new arena is built? There are several viable arenas that could serve as a temporary home for the Blast: Comcast Center, Verizon Center, Patriot Center, and the Show Place Arena.
1 agree | 7 disagree
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Sports Fan said:
By the time they make a final decision on what, where, and when and how, the new arena will be obsolete just like the existing one was the day it opened. Let's do it, and do it right. We are a major league city, so let's act like one.
4 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Internet is right. A bigger arena one day might bring the NBA or NHL plus a bunch of concerts and pay per view events. The only people who do not ralize this are elected officials. What a waste of space they are.
5 agree | 1 disagree
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Internet said:
I am a fan of the Baltimore Blast, but to hold Baltimore hostage by preventing them form expanding and possibly attracting an NBA or NHL team is absurd. Baltimore need a large arena for concerts, NBA, etc. Let is happen, this city is already dying, anf no offense...the Blast ain't doin' sh!t for Baltimore revenue
8 agree | 8 disagree
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