Wednesday, March 29, 2000
Drawings just tantalize Reds fans
Scoreboard, concourses not enough
BY DAN KLEPAL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The unveiling of new views of the Reds new ballpark on Monday left some fans hungry for more.
HOK Sport, the architects who are designing the new stadium, released two new views of inside the stadium. There were details about the field dimensions, and where the scoreboard, Stadium Club restaurant and concourses will be, but little else.
Important details, such as the what the facade will look like, are not finished.
Fred “Fritz” Meyer, 85, of Colerain Township, wanted to know details about handicap accessibility. Mr. Meyer needs handrails to get around.
He went to about six Reds games last year and hopes the new ballpark will be accommodating.
“In arenas, I need an elevator to get to a certain floor (level) and hand rails to get up and down steps,” Mr. Meyer said, “so it's something I'm very concerned and curious about.”
Reds officials did announce that two outdoor seats in the luxury suites will be removable so people in wheelchairs will be able to sit outside the boxes if they wish.
Rick Blum, 53, of Mount Lookout, has been to games all over the country — including Fenway Park in Boston, Wrigley Field in Chicago and the old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
“The ballpark belongs downtown on the river, so I'm glad they decided to build it there,” Mr. Blum said. “And I'm just going to be happy to be seeing them play on grass.”
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