Chicago Tribune: Notre Dame unveils $400 million expansion around football stadium
http://www.chicagotr...0,1139453.story
The multi-use buildings, which will rise slightly above the stadium, will include classrooms, a career center, dining hall, event spaces, recreational sports facilities, and a digital media center — all integrated with new, premium stadium seating and club space for football fans.
The $400-million plan — the largest building project in the university’s 172-year history — will turn the area around the stadium, now used solely for about seven home football games a year, into a central place for academic and student life. The three buildings will be attached to the east, west and south sides of the stadium and will add up to 4,000 revenue-generating seats to the “The House that Rockne Built,” among the country’s most revered stadiums.
The new buildings will not obstruct the view of “Touchdown Jesus,” the mural on the Hesburgh library north of the stadium that has become one of the most recognized end zone views in college sports. But the changes could rankle some alumni who won’t be happy with a move away from tradition.
The stadium renovations will increase seating at football games to about 84,000 by building on top of the rim of the stadium bowl. There will be several levels of indoor and outdoor club seating on the east and west sides of the stadium, a new press box, broadcast booths, and hospitality areas.
The south building will include a club and lounge that can accommodate about 350 fans during game days.