Saw more extensive drawings of the NEZ & Athletic Performance Center last night. The plaza area north of the Jake is going to be pretty impressive. Permanent bleachers for band & the nw/ne hillsides will be bigger & steeper to provide a more bowled in feeling (and also to allow kids to slide much faster). A walkway around the Jake connecting W & E grandstands. The Performance Bldg is going to be massive....110k+ sq ft. Four stories and as tall as the west press box. Wont even see the practice building behind it. Campbell asked for and got an "iconic" place for recruits & players. Really, really impressive. Also, there will be some changes coming to Hilton as well. The north & south entrances will be dramatically changed with a lot of glass replacing much of the concrete. Lot more natural light in and the ability to light it up at night with banners, murals etc... The outer concourse will be much bigger and new concessions will be added on to the outside of the current foot print. Hard to explain, but it too was impressive. Total tab for all will be $115 million and $50 million is expected to be in house by Christmas. Want to do the Hilton reno & NEZ project at same time.
