DePaul to get new 12,000 seat arena???

VULB#62 · May 13, 2013, 09:12:17 PM

FWIW: DePaul may be getting an arena near campus.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9271967/chicago-300-million-plan-new-depaul-blue-demons-arena-report-says

LaPorteAveApostle · May 13, 2013, 09:39:04 PM

That may be the funniest extra-zero-typo I've ever read.

Aside from federal budgets, that is.

a3uge · May 14, 2013, 12:04:09 AM

A partially state/city funded $300 million stadium for a struggling college team is a really stupid idea. I doubt Depaul has a half billion dollar slush fund like the University of Wisconsin system just found. Unless they embed slots in the back of each seat, I see it being a huge waste of money.

StlVUFan · May 14, 2013, 01:32:07 AM

The vibe I got from twitter was that state funding is far from a done deal.

vuweathernerd · May 24, 2013, 02:35:48 PM

Quote from: StlVUFan on May 14, 2013, 01:32:07 AM
The vibe I got from twitter was that state funding is far from a done deal.

i saw some stuff about it last week when i was in chicago/valpo for commissioning and yes, the public money is very much under fire. however, it wouldn't surprise me if it ends up happening because the city's goal is to completely renovate the mccormick place area. and the overall tone of the project seems to be fairly popular.

StlVUFan · May 27, 2013, 01:05:38 AM

Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 24, 2013, 02:35:48 PM
Quote from: StlVUFan on May 14, 2013, 01:32:07 AM
The vibe I got from twitter was that state funding is far from a done deal.

i saw some stuff about it last week when i was in chicago/valpo for commissioning and yes, the public money is very much under fire. however, it wouldn't surprise me if it ends up happening because the city's goal is to completely renovate the mccormick place area. and the overall tone of the project seems to be fairly popular.

I have also heard the opinion that DePaul is a very minor player in this whole thing -- that the main focus is a new casino and some other events. DePaul would get to use the place for 16 home games or something like that, but it's not being built *for them*.

valporun · May 31, 2013, 12:08:25 PM

Stl, are you saying this proposed facility is going to have a concept like what Gary hoped for the Genesis Center? A multi-purpose facility for basketball, concerts, and a casino that basketball will play third wheel to?

LaPorteAveApostle · May 31, 2013, 12:09:40 PM

...and that people will embezzle from and get sweet-time city jobz from?

StlVUFan · May 31, 2013, 01:14:31 PM

I really couldn't say. Not familiar with what you cite, nor with the DePaul situation. Just that there is a lot of talk about how stupid this whole thing is.

StlVUFan · May 31, 2013, 01:15:31 PM

Quote from: valporun on May 31, 2013, 12:08:25 PM
Stl, are you saying this proposed facility is going to have a concept like what Gary hoped for the Genesis Center? A multi-purpose facility for basketball, concerts, and a casino that basketball will play third wheel to?

That last part does sound like how it was being described on WSCR the one time I listened.

valporun · June 06, 2013, 01:29:59 PM

Quote from: StlVUFan on May 31, 2013, 01:15:31 PM
Quote from: valporun on May 31, 2013, 12:08:25 PM
Stl, are you saying this proposed facility is going to have a concept like what Gary hoped for the Genesis Center? A multi-purpose facility for basketball, concerts, and a casino that basketball will play third wheel to?
That last part does sound like how it was being described on WSCR the one time I listened.

The whole DePaul arena issue makes me think of the Convocation Centers at both Northern Illinois and Chicago State. Other than high school games or concerts, the place is relatively empty, as no one supports basketball being played there by the college programs the facilities were supposedly built for. A taxpayer expense that was unnecessary, but built because the people "in the know" thought it would help drum up prospective student/recruit interest and community interest.

usc4valpo · June 23, 2013, 05:11:41 PM

Quote from: valporun on June 06, 2013, 01:29:59 PM
Quote from: StlVUFan on May 31, 2013, 01:15:31 PM
Quote from: valporun on May 31, 2013, 12:08:25 PMStl, are you saying this proposed facility is going to have a concept like what Gary hoped for the Genesis Center? A multi-purpose facility for basketball, concerts, and a casino that basketball will play third wheel to?
That last part does sound like how it was being described on WSCR the one time I listened.
The whole DePaul arena issue makes me think of the Convocation Centers at both Northern Illinois and Chicago State. Other than high school games or concerts, the place is relatively empty, as no one supports basketball being played there by the college programs the facilities were supposedly built for. A taxpayer expense that was unnecessary, but built because the people "in the know" thought it would help drum up prospective student/recruit interest and community interest.

Obviously, DePaul needs a better place to play. The Allstate Arena is a real generic dump and a long commute to and from the Lincoln Park Campus. That being said, in the long term DePaul really should consider a 9000 seat area in the Lincoln Park area. Chicago has huge debt issues and high murder rates - I think Rahm Emanuel is doing well but digging into this type of project should be put on hold. Also, I think in the long run DePaul will regret this, being at the mercy of the city and the casino owners. One other thing about DePaul - they really need to let go of the Ray Meyer glory days and look at their current problem. I think a new AD should be in order.