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Nats Stadium Dig Begins; Design Still Up in the Air
Washington Nationals apparel was the dress code of the day, especially for Eden Tanenbaum and grandfather Theodore N. Lerner, head of the owners' group.
(By Marvin Joseph -- The Washington Post)
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Designs call for two boxy parking structures to be built aboveground just north of the ballpark, but city and baseball officials would like to move them underground to clear more room for retail and office space. That would cost an additional $20 million, money the city is seeking.
The team of Lerner, who made his fortune as a developer, and Kasten is expected to bring an influx of ideas, energy and, potentially, dollars to the project, although the Lerner group has not pledged to pay for any of the construction.
In Atlanta, Kasten, longtime president of the Ted Turner-owned Braves and Hawks, was the force behind stadiums for both teams -- Turner Field and Philips Arena, respectively.
Turner Field is known for its wide concourses, a brewpub that overlooks the field and small signs shaped like home plate that indicate how far fans are from home plate. The ballpark is kid-friendly: At one end is Tooner Field, a cartoon-themed interactive area, and Scout's Alley, with more interactive games, which Kasten called essential because children aren't inclined to sit still for a three-hour game.
Janet Marie Smith, an architect who worked with Kasten on Turner Field and Philips Arena, said yesterday that Kasten was innovative, stacking all the luxury suites at Philips on one side of the building in order to lower the upper level of seats.
His buildings also are designed to make money.
"I consider the entire fan experience," Kasten said at a news conference this week, "from the time they leave their house to the time they return home."
In Washington, Kasten will be reunited with Joseph Spear of HOK Sport, the leading sports architecture firm in the country. They worked together on Philips Arena.
Spear, who had recently been discussing the clubhouse layout with Tavares, said he expects Kasten to get involved in the details.
"The thing about Stan is that I don't think he has one recipe," Spear said. "He's going to come to this market and understand what works in a meaningful way to bring fans."
