Future of Hilton Coliseum
- Thread starter Havs
- Start date
The first upgrade that should be considered before Hilton is what the city of Ames and Story County is going to do to resolve the potential for future flooding along the creek. I know we flood proofed the Hilton, but that's just a bandaid to the ultimate problem....land use changes upstream causing increased frequency of flooding along University Boulevard with no storage and no place to put the water.
http://southamesbiz.com/images/6-Jan-1965-Trib.pdf
http://southamesbiz.com/images/26-Nov-71-Trib.pdf
A large part of the problem would be solved if the skunk didn't flood. Often the biggest problems occur when the skunk floods and backs up the creek.
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What was a $10M project would probably be well over $1B now with general inflation as well as escalation of farm land values.
Worked at Hilton in the early 70's (it opened in 69). Lokked at adding suites for revenue purposes back then. The problem is that all egress to the balcony happens through the inner concourse. Ergo, either the exterior has to be changed to allow direct access to the balcony, or the balcony needs to exit to the outer concourse, causing the outer concourse to be major reconfiguration, all solutions very expensive and changing of the external appearance
I think Hilton with suites would look pretty much identical to the Sacramento Kings arena on the interior.
Sorry but Hilton never opened in 69 try researching before you write, as I graduated in 71, just before it opened Below is straight from ISU archives.
Hilton Coliseum | Basketball, Gymnastics, Volleyball, Wrestling
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Oops, sorry, worked there as a student. Confused CY Stephens and Hilton opening dates, but did work at both facilities. Been a long time, but we did look at the luxury suite idea in the early 70's. Can remember Joe Borg of Brooks Borg and Skiles (design/engineering team), and University Officials coming in to discuss this issue.
We just got a brand new ribbon board a couple years ago. What needs changed? I think it looks great.
I'm on the second level and can't see the opponents teams stats because the jumbotron hangs low enough it blocks that info so all I get to see is ours. If the stat section would rotate around somehow, then I would agree with you.
I haven't been to enough other stadiums to know what works better.
I haven't been to enough other stadiums to know what works better.
Fun fact...
The "Prairie Area" rest stop on I35 SB around mm 121 was originally a scenic overlook in anticipation of Ames Lake being built. You can see clearly the area the reservoir would have encompassed as you drive by that area today.
The alignment of I-35 was changed in that area where it curves near the rest areas to help with this. If you ever look at plat maps of the area, the federal government still owns right-of-way that would of made I-35 a straight shot through that area.
What we have is great I mean add more above the 2nd deck.
If I had my way I'd make the roof out of a more sound reflective material as well since Hilton doesn't need to be acoustically great anymore since there are barely any concerts there anymore.
The Army Corp dam "solution" is the old school thinking when you talk about flood control. Now dam construction is nearly impossible these days (costs and regulatory atmosphere). The only way they are going to get the skunk to stay in the banks is:
1) change the land use practices upstream in the Skunk watershed (farming row crops switched to contour farming and/or localized ag basins in several locations) - slow the water down and store water
2) Levees on the west and purchase impacted properties on the east
Either way, it's going to be a costly fix and nobody likes to talk about it unless it's literally in their backyards. Trust me, the frequency of flood impacts isn't a 100-year event, it's probably closer to the 10-year to 25-year flood. Look at the past, when has it flooded? 1993, 2010? I think it's a more frequent issue than people think.
The tentative bid opening date is May 14. Normally bid documents are available at least 21 days prior to bid opening date. Therefore, new details should be available no later than April 23 if this schedule is maintained. No idea on any reduction in capacity because of this project.
The plans for the Johnny's renovation are now available on the Iowa State FPM site as it is going out to bid now. Can get to a PDF of the construction drawings here: http://www.plans.print.iastate.edu/files/223/Drawings.pdf
Attachments
Looks like there will be an additional interior entrance into Johnny's from the outer concourse on the north side. Also looks like the statue will now be inside which will probably makes some people unhappy.
The fan schedule appears inadequate to me..
God bless you people who are able to read that stuff. Wowzers.
I used to read plans like that as a job. I'm no longer doing that... lol.
