Work began this week on the $140 million facelift to the legendary Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department and Fair Park First held a groundbreaking Thursday. It marks the beginning of a two-year, $140-million project to upgrade the historic 84-year-old venue.
The renovations focus on enhancements to the visitor experience including:
- The addition of 14 new escalators
- Construction of new multi-story entries at the two west entrance gates
- The upper west concourse will be increased to three times the current square footage and include two outdoor terraces with views of downtown Dallas.
- The main concourse on the west side of the stadium will be doubled in size, featuring new art deco artwork to augment the venue’s classic style.
- Restrooms and concession stands will get a makeover and more will be added
- Creation of new premium seating environments and a newly expanded press area in the South endzone
- Improving the in-stadium Wi-Fi signal
The project is part of the largest financial investment in Fair Park during the 137-year history of the fairgrounds.
Gopher Athletics has started work on a new gymnastics practice facility in Minneapolis.
The new performance center is being built in the Athletes Village footprint, which will allow for student-athletes to study, train, eat and recover all in one location.
The facility will be constructed on the south side of the department's indoor football field.
It is expected to be completed by January 2025.
More:
- The long-planned renovation of the aging community ice arena in Mankato, Minn., is expected to start next month after construction bids were opened Tuesday and were a hair under expectations at $12.2 million. All Seasons Arena — the two-rink facility at the corner of Monks Avenue and Balcerzak Road — is jointly owned by the cities of Mankato and North Mankato and Blue Earth County. Elected officials from all three approved a renovation budget last month, but the budget depended on the construction estimates being near or below projections. The $4.5 million low bid on the ice system replacement came from Rink Tec — a contractor that pays union-level wages. That means the project will be able to tap a $166,000 grant awarded through the state of Minnesota’s Mighty Ducks grant program, which provides support for community ice rink projects but requires the work to be done by contractors that meet prevailing wage standards.
