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There is traffic/congestion where it is right now. There is going to be traffic/congestion where ever you put it. Secondly, you already have a lot of hotels going up on that side of the river as it is. Many people already book rooms over there for these big events as it is. Y'all keep trying to make it seem like it's some long journey. It's not.
As for the majority of folks that go to Pelicans games, many of them do not live downtown. I don't. I'm a good 25 minutes away. So putting an arena just on the other side of the river makes 0 difference to me or many other locals.
If west bankers can cross that bridge today to watch a game you East bankers can do the same. It won't kill you. Stop whining. Algeirs Point along the river is a cool area anyway.
Let me guess, you live on the westbank? There are many more east bankers than west bankers, so why inconvenience the majority? I live 25-30 minutes away during that time of day as well, but would not want to make the trek over the bridge for the weekday games as it would add another 15-20 minutes getting across the bridge to Algiers sometimes.
I just wanted to echo how absolutely insane it is to even consider a) demolishing the current arena (it's totally fine) and b) building a new one on the Westbank.
I mean totally bonkers what-drugs-are-you-taking insane. The arena is a money-maker for the state far beyond hosting NBA tickets - namely concerts and other special events etc. It's located in exactly the perfect spot. I'm baffled that this is even a remotely serious discussion.
A new arena could go between the parish line and gen de Gaulle off the side of the expressway. If you modernize the highway exchanges plus integrate the HOV lane to support a cross river streetcar service it could work. However out of the box ideas like that will never be floated because it's the New Orleans metro area, a place that likes to spite itself.
Last edited by Stealth Matrix; 07-29-2019 at 05:51 PM.
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"Oh the arena is an extra 10-15 minutes away from the FQ? Oh forget it I'm not going."
Makes sense. Makes a lot of sense. You're right. New Orleans is too damn big.
And that arena is nowhere near fine. The steps on the upper levels are a suicide mission and the seats have hardly any leg room. MSG is much older and yet is much better with its renovations.
Last edited by luckyman; 07-29-2019 at 07:05 PM.
Smoothie King is a pretty solid all around arena. You pretty close to the action everywhere in the building. The only complaint I have is if you ever sit up top top that A/C can freeze you out.
I feel like the people calling for a new arena don’t even go to the games.. Also completely ignoring with some of the locations mentioned being near twice as far for people who live on the Northshore which is a big portion of the attendees to the games.
The only upgrades that stadium could really use is improvements to areas inside for people to gather in the arena which can easily be added and was something they had previously upgraded. There is lots of exterior upgrades they could do and building a more modern look that would completely change people’s perception how the stadium stacks up to nicer ones. Upgrading the seats and color scheme of the arena is a quick upgrade they can make. Lastly keeping the technology inside the stadium state of the art.. Outside of some minor upgrades over time inside the stadium those are the only what we need imo and that definitely does not require a new stadium. If they decide to build in future then I’m all for it if in the right location but I don’t really see the need and don’t believe it would happen.
Last edited by GuardianAngel25; 07-30-2019 at 12:25 AM.
They need to remove the photos of Anthony Davis on the concourses and Champion Square!
I live on the Westbank and in no way would I want the arena on the westbank. It's current location is perfect, especially when you consider the northshore, and all points west of the arena. Let's stop with the silliness; We are obviously in the lull that precedes preseason.
For one, it's the only spot I know of that might have the space while ALSO remaining close to the FQ/CBD for one. And trust me, the time wil come when there will be calls for a completely new arena. Probably around 2025 when the current lease is up. They kept trying this lipstick on a pig tactic with the airport until they just said the hell with it and decided to build a new one greenfield. I sense the same fate for the arena.
For two, the idea didnt just pop into my head out of nowhere. Recall when Benson was making his threats for a new stadium or he might move to San Antonio, there were some plans drawn up for a new stadium. Guess where those plans were located?
Part of that was just Benson trying to scare the state to do what they did, which was use taxpayer dollars for upgrades to the dome. But the other part is honestly like I said, it's the only other conceivable spot for an arena while still being able to take advantage of location.
All these people acting like the other side of the river in Algeirs is some far off boondocks, I dont know what the hell yall are talking about.
Last edited by luckyman; 07-30-2019 at 06:12 PM.
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A football stadium has a much larger footprint than a basketball arena. Secondly, that was a negotiating tactic over a decade ago. There would also have had to be some infrastructure updates to make that even feasible. You may be right that a new arena may be called for at some point. I am not sure it is now though. Even so, the location of the current arena is too good to simply abandon.
If they could do anything is probably demo the Champion Square Parking garage and build a bigger pelicans/Saints Fan square. Possibly even have restraunts/bars, stores, and a small park.
Make it a mini-downtown location and shopping area.
Including parking, they both have large footprints, so the relative comparison between the two doesn't matter. The old Forum in L.A. looks like it's in the middle of nowhere even though it's in Inglewood because of all the space required.
Second, it's actually more relevant today than 10 years ago given all the opportunity zone construction going in the city now compared to back then. There is already a bunch of projects going on for the eastbank side of the river front, so unlike 10 years ago, that option seems to have sailed. And with all large projects, there will always need to be added infrasture to accommodate the extra traffic. They had to add streets and street lanes for the current arena. So that's no revelation either.
And for me personally, if there is a game or concert or event I want to see, an Algeirs Point river front arena sure as hell wouldn't make me say nope no I'm not going. Zion could probably stand on the Algeirs side of the river front and throw a football into the FQ. Compared to other cities still, that short arse drive across the bridge or short ferry ride over it is absolutely nothing.
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