Could not agree more about the SEZ. It’s been almost universally praised around here (and is obviously better than before), but it looks like it doesn’t fit the space to me. How hard would it have been to make “the lines” meet? Totally looks like an add on, instead of seamless.The stadium upgrades over the last decade have been transformational, and I think it’s important to recognize all the good, thoughtful work that’s been done. But I think they really missed the mark on a few things, some more important than others, and have some obvious next steps for future work.
1) The different height and architectural styles of the North and South End has given me a permanent twitch every time I see the stadium. Just not as aesthetically harmonious as it could be. The NEZ got it right, the SEZ not so much.
2) They should have used SEZ construction to redistribute some seats. They could have eliminated all or a significant portion bench seating, replaced it with modern chair backs, and redistributed lost seating to a South End that maintained the same lines as the east side and NEZ. This would improve the fan experience nearly universally. Tough to undo now, but a good chunk of that bench seating needs to find a way to disappear to improve the fan experience for the average fan.
3) There’s opportunity for additional seating options ranging from bench, chair backs, premium, outdoor club, suite, etc. Other places are getting really creative to provide an experience you can’t get on TV and that isn’t uncomfortable and terrible. We need to do the same.
4) Obviously the press box and suites is in significant need of change. It should be much larger and offer several types of suites and clubs that are more high-end than what we have now. Our offerings are about 40 years out of date.
5) Not the stadium, but Mellencamp needs a renovation and/or a second indoor facility is needed.
Even with my gripes, the stadium is light years ahead of where it was not so long ago.
And while I’m bitching, let’s at least get the freaking goose poop cleaned up. Red seats covered in that would’ve looked worse than it already did. I just remember sitting near that area while watching the idiot president hobnobbing with Mitch in the end zone and wondering if they’d like to up and sit in that mess. Until someone in that administration actually proves they care about fans, I’ll not believe they give us any thought.