5 years ago
The clock is ticking for the teams who want to design the new baseball stadium in DC.
In a 28-page document, the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission makes it clear, this stadium can't be a clone, of Camden Yards.
9 News' Mike Walter traveled to one Midwestern town where some of the best sports stadium architects in the world, are competing for the coveted job.
Mike Walter's report
From architects to average Joes, everyone loves the site, like Harvey Miller, who's busy buying a new Nationals Baseball cap.
But who has the vision to transform this area along the banks of the Anacostia into a world class stadium?
The answer maybe here on the banks of the Missouri River. Because Architects here in the show me state have been showign the rest of the country and the world how to create world class stadiums for years.
Will the architects at HOK be a ok?
Spend a few minutes walking around with vision man Earl Santee, and you're likely to say yes.
"Sometimes you kind of look back and it makes you look old. It's this year, this year, this year. I had two kids during that project. It's a timeline of your life and it's on the wall for everyone to see", says Santee.
It's a wall of helmets, each one represents a baseball stadium designed by HOK.
In the last decade they've designed eight of the last twelve new baseball stadiums. Including parks built on the water in San Francisco and Pittsburg.
They want the job.
but don't count out the cities other powerhouse sports stadium architectural firms, like HNTB.
They're already redesigning RFK for the Nationals inagural season. They know the stakes are high and so is the exposure.
The folks at nearby Ellerbe Beckett are also willing to play this game of high stakes poker. They see the project as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Each will do what this architect is doing with the new arena for the Charlotte Bobcats. They'll blend the facility with the city.
And in a city known for it's historic architecture, that will be a challenge, a challenge so inviting, that all the firms are welcoming that famous baseball cry.
A decision about which architectural firm gets the deal will be announced on February 28th.
Click on video to see Mike Walter's report.
Written by Mike Walter
