Tailgating in the new D-lots

[Cycsk]

Rather than post this at the end of the JTS improvements mega thread, I thought I would start a new thread, especially now that we have a forum about tailgating.

Here are drawings of the new D lots, with particular attention to things that would be of interest to tailgaters.

The bottom line is that the only big flat grassy area (currently a dirt area) is north of D3 along center Drive. There’s a smaller flat “grassy” area south of D-5 along 4th Street.

The “green areas” on the new map are mostly water retention areas with medium to steep slopes. Some is actual concrete drainage.

There are also mulch areas on the west edges of the D lots and pockets of mulch in the interior endcaps of parking rows.

These are not drawn to scale, but are just intended to give you an idea about how the new lots are configured, both in terms of parking places, but also the areas surrounding the perimeter of the D-lots.

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[LowOverhead]

Thank you for taking the time to prepare these drawings. Just a couple of wonderings like, “…I was wondering if…”

On far left edge of y<your D-3 drawing, look at the ‘carve out’ that will become a bus turn in and standing. For students to use when the bus terminal building will be torn down. I wonder if could be used as tailgating area. Yes I know, only Pollard knows.

On D-5, the space from parking edge to the street maybe much smaller due to a 4-6’ wide sidewalk parallel to the street. So no tailgating there.

I’m not sure which areas are retention or detention for water drainage. Some drainage areas have a concrete strip running the length, I think they are called cunette. Cunette may have running water all the time. That plus steep sides of the ditches, will prevent tailgating in ditches as was done in the past.

thanks again, nicely done and informational.

 

[Cycsk]

As for the D-3 cutout for the bus stop, I hadn't even thought about it being available for tailgating. My guess is that is won't be available for tailgating because it will be used for buses or maybe parking for "official" vehicles, such as security/medical. It seems that the new D-lots are being built with parking and water runoff in mind, not expansive tailgating.

Yes, the flat space south of D-5 along 4th Street is much narrower than the flat space north of D-3 along Center Drive.

As I recall, and can probably show is some photos, is that a narrow concrete channel runs in the middle between D-4 and D-5, as well along D-4 and D-5 next to the University Blvd. sidewalk. And these have rather steep slopes coming down from the parking lots.

One other little thing that may be important during rainy days is the location of the drains. They have given a lot of attention to water drainage. During heavy rains, I wouldn't want to have a tailgate located near a drain as most of the water in the lot will be flowing toward the drain and maybe pooling there too.

 

[Cycsk]

Interesting, it seems that they have pretty much just done some minor grading in the old C-4,5,6 lots with asphalt slapped on top of it. It seems that they haven't done all the drainage work there. Perhaps they are just rushing to get it ready and will tear it out for additional work during the next off-season. C-3 hasn't been touched except for a medium slope on the east side that goes up 5-6 feet to the new road between D-3 and C-3.

 

[Cycsk]

Also, in case you aren't paying close attention, some of the numbering of lots has changed.

The new D-3 is the old D-1 and the north part of the old D-2.
The new D-4 is the old D-3 and the south part of the old D-2.
The new D-5 is the old D-4 along 4th Street.

 

[VeloClone]

Also, in case you aren't paying close attention, some of the numbering of lots has changed.

The new D-3 is the old D-1 and the north part of the old D-2.
The new D-4 is the old D-3 and the south part of the old D-2.
The new D-5 is the old D-6 along 4th Street.
There is no new D-6.

I assume this is a typo since as far as I know D4 was the highest numbered D lot at the NW corner of Elwood and S 4th.

 

[Cycsk]

I assume this is a typo since as far as I know D4 was the highest numbered D lot at the NW corner of Elwood and S 4th.

Yes. Thank you for the correction. I've edited my previous post. Too much tailgating math for early on a Monday!

 

[Cycsk]

Here’s a photo that shows the ditch along the University Boulevard sidewalk. It is steeper than it looks and I think they now have concrete in the channel.

 

[Cycsk]

 

[Cycsk]

And here is the drainage between D3 and D4. I think it has concrete poured in the channel now.

 

[NWICY]

View attachment 115941

Drove by tonight those new ditches are freaking steep. I'll let it play out but I'm not so sure the A.D. is improving the tailgating experience. Maybe it will be better once Cytown is up and going.

 

[Cycsk]

CyTown is going to be awesome. It is going to unlike what any other university has. I can't wait for the year-round venues, including the events in the amphitheater.

 

[Didley]

This makes me think that the new lots really end up more like true parking lots and wont be used for your typical 6 hour tailgaters. Can they create a lot by the RV Village with a similar feel but without the electic hookups? Just a 1/2 pavement, 1/2 grass area for those who dont have RVs but have camping gear who want to spread out a bit. Maybe set that lot as Cardinal/Gold level minimum. Maybe convert G8 into a Tailgate Village with more grass and paved sections. Maybe even an earlier open time than the CyTown lots

 

[Cycsk]

This makes me think that the new lots really end up more like true parking lots and wont be used for your typical 6 hour tailgaters. Can they create a lot by the RV Village with a similar feel but without the electic hookups? Just a 1/2 pavement, 1/2 grass area for those who dont have RVs but have camping gear who want to spread out a bit. Maybe set that lot as Cardinal/Gold level minimum. Maybe convert G8 into a Tailgate Village with more grass and paved sections. Maybe even an earlier open time than the CyTown lots

This is a great idea. What you describe sounds much like what we prefer. I assume that someday they will acquire the Haunted Forest. Maybe they could do something like this there.

Here is my summary of our transition to the RV Village:

It is an elite RV Village . . . but we prefer an elite Tailgate Village (just like you called it above). Our tailgate is now a destination with luxurious perks . . . but hard to get to for everyone except those with RV parking passes, both because of location and potholed gravel roads.

One reason for hope is that sales of RV passes are way up this year. I think it is now over 300. Once it fills, then perhaps there will be an opportunity to consider other RV options that are particularly oriented toward us hard-core tailgaters.

 

[Didley]

This is a great idea. What you describe sounds much like what we prefer. I assume that someday they will acquire the Haunted Forest. Maybe they could do something like this there.

Here is my summary of our transition to the RV Village:

It is an elite RV Village . . . but we prefer an elite Tailgate Village (just like you called it above). Our tailgate is now a destination with luxurious perks . . . but hard to get to for everyone except those with RV parking passes, both because of location and potholed gravel roads.

One reason for hope is that sales of RV passes are way up this year. I think it is now over 300. Once it fills, then perhaps there will be an opportunity to consider other RV options that are particularly oriented toward us hard-core tailgaters.

Im guessing you’re like us where you’re there right as the lots open setting up shop. There’s really not that more than what, 100 of us? We’re the only ones affected by the shortened lot hours and such. I bet we could all fit into an improved G6. And once CyTown is done, people like us will probably want out of the way anyways. Electric hookups would be cool but most of us have generators anyways.

 

[wenkeej]

This makes me think that the new lots really end up more like true parking lots and wont be used for your typical 6 hour tailgaters. Can they create a lot by the RV Village with a similar feel but without the electic hookups? Just a 1/2 pavement, 1/2 grass area for those who dont have RVs but have camping gear who want to spread out a bit. Maybe set that lot as Cardinal/Gold level minimum. Maybe convert G8 into a Tailgate Village with more grass and paved sections. Maybe even an earlier open time than the CyTown lots

I think the days of mini buses, mini rv's, full size trailer smokers, etc will be coming to a close when all the new parking is done.

Whether that makes for a worse tailgating experience will depend on what you're looking for. Maybe CyTown will enhance tailgating. Yet to be seen.

But tailgating will be different.

 

[Cycsk]

I think the days of mini buses, mini rv's, full size trailer smokers, etc will be coming to a close when all the new parking is done.

Whether that makes for a worse tailgating experience will depend on what you're looking for. Maybe CyTown will enhance tailgating. Yet to be seen.

But tailgating will be different.

It will be different, but I won't underestimate the ability of our tailgaters to figure out how to do it well!

 

[crs8975]

I'm all for improvement but ripping down all the shade trees seems like a poor choice.

 

[06_CY]

I thought losing G7 would suck, but we've made B1 work. Now curious how our setup will change with the tailgate tents out there, as we generally use the ISC courtyard for tents/tv/games. The changes aren't always bad; just need to figure out how to make them work.

 

[cyclone87]

I think some of those areas will be fine once the grass grows next year. This year going to be a pain with it still dirt.