Ford Field is approaching its 23rd season. The Silverdome was replaced after 25 seasons as the home of the Lions and stadiums built slightly before or after Ford Field are already being replaced or in the process of being replaced such as in Denver, Chicago, Cleveland and Tennessee.
If the Lions have a period of sustained success, I believe that there will be increasing calls for a new stadium or significant renovations to Ford Field.
Any thoughts and ideas as to what that should look like?
It feels like FF is still pretty new.
Not to mention I am not sure if there is room to build something. I mean that location is perfect with how the whole sports entertainment area has been created.
I would hate for them to move even 1/2 a mile away.
Not a good comparison.
First, Pontiac couldn’t support the Silverdome financially. Nor did it have any amenities near it. It was a complete mess. Which is why the Lions moved to DT Detroit. Longer story there, but that’s the gist of it.
And Ford Field has already had numerous renovations and was architected to expand.
Keep in mind that Soldier Field is over 100 years old, but with many, many renovations.
Ford Field isn’t going anywhere, and the Lions won’t be building anything new for a long, long time.
Not really. Keep in mind that one of the reasons the Silverdome was replaced was because the roof collapsed. Plus, unlike the Silverdome which was leased, I believe the Fords own Ford Field and the property it is located upon.
They did a $100 million renovation in 2017… I’d expect a few more of those in the future. The stadium is in prime position and isn’t getting replaced for decades IMO
As long as it doesn’t include taxpayer dollars I’m cool with it. More so I would be in favor of a renovation rather than a rebuild. The stadium appears well thought out, it looks good from the street, I really like the way the lighting makes it look like an outdoor stadium, and it’s well situated downtown. They are fast becoming one of the most expensive seats in the NFL and so I’m not sure what the benefit would be for building a new stadium.
I wish we could roll in the grass field like Arizona but realize that’s not doable. Otherwise there’s no reason to upgrade.
Aside from the ability to flood the field with four feet of water so that star DEs can play with broken legs. Though hopefully the need for that is soon behind us.
The Detroit Colisseum
Would be cool if they could retrofit a retractable roof.
Actually check this out, Real Madrid has a 4 story underground greenhouse under their stadium where they grow/store their field. THAT’S what I want.
Ideal location for throwing Christians to the Lions. Terry and Jayden were very churchy sounding after the TB game.
Netherite pickaxes are cheap these days.
The new Bernabeu renovation cost $1.91B, and took several years to pull off IIRC.
It’s absolutely the best stadium in the world as far as what it can do, but it wasn’t anything close to cheap.
They’re not moving, but…
Wouldn’t mind seeing them somewhere near Michigan Central Station if they did.
I used to say that when the new Tiger Stadium site was being chosen, the Michigan Central Station could have been renovated as a hotel/restaurant/condo complex and tower over the home plate side of the stadium. I’m glad they decided to do it downtown in retrospect. And the Ford project is great as well. Those stadiums have really made a big difference in the city’s rebirth. Long way to go but the needle is pointed up.
Ford Field is 23 years old !?!??!?!?!?!?
Like that makes objective sense, but I absolutely refuse to believe it.
All the shitty years just blend together.
My avatar on a prior version of The Den was an aerial picture of Ford Field that I added a toilet tank and a roll of paper to. I like looking at the stadium now and not immediately thinking of futility and ruined Sundays.
Rod Wood teased a new training facility and campus a year or two ago. Sounds like it would be downtown. Allen Park is too constrained from what I remember @Air2theThrown had said in the past. I’ll see if I can find the quote.
I think this is their next major investment.
I am also onboard with putting on a retractable roof on Ford Field and natural grass. I don’t know how the engineering would. But if any city could get it done….it’s Detroit.
They could play at The Big House while the work was getting done. 