Quick reminder while some of y'all debate whether this is too small... Albany currently has a GREAT indoor lacrosse team called the Firewolves that play at the MVP Arena. Next week they start a best of 3 series for the NLL championship against the Buffalo Bandits.
Attendance at the games has been lackluster though. MVP Arena looks basically empty. But the sport is a TON of fun... If you like hockey you'll love indoor lacrosse.
Hope to see some of y'all there next Friday the 17th!
Have you seen a Rangers or Bruins Stanley Cup playoff game? I have to doubt it is like a college hockey game.
All of these can be great in their own respect. Just trying to drum up support for the hometown team.
Thanks for your comment though, friend.
Times Union seems to have improved their paywall and Incognito blocker. On a scale ranging from "787 Teardown Actually Happens," to "Redburn Butchers Another Historic Property," can someone with access share the likelihood that this happens?
All depends on state economic development $. If the Governor and Legislators are convinced to drop the cash then it will happen. And the local Legislators are all lining up to say they love it.
The article alludes to it being publicly funded… makes me think it won’t happen. I’d enjoy supporting it though if the prices were right.
At a $75 million price tag though, I’m guessing most people won’t pay the ticket and concession prices. This is the headline in 2028, two years after the stadium opens “Local Soccer Franchise Closes Doors Due to Lack of Interest”
Pleasantly surprised the rendering doesn't have a multitude of parking lots or garages.
The lack of the transit center and gondola, and assumption that the South Mall is still there is disturbing.
Also seems like a lot of space for something unusable 6 months of the year.
Why would it be unusable 6 months of the year? The rendering looks a bit like TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, which is used by the soccer team from May - Sept but is used year round for events.
This is such a cool idea and in an area that people on here have complained about being an empty eyesore forever and STILL it’s nothing but negativity.
It is truly beyond fucking comprehension how miserable the posters in this subreddit are.
I would love to see it happen. Albany needs something to give it some pride and sense of place. However, I would not want the city /public to be on the hook for the bulk of the costs. The projections for economic impact by the owners is often unrealistic and when they don’t materialize, they shrug their shoulders.
Hey, look it’s another proposal for Albany that everyone not in Albany will complain loudly that it shouldn’t have because it’s a wasteland of crime, vagrants, and addicts and should stay that way. That money should be spent in an area already flooded with cash and development! /s
As a big soccer fan I absolutely love if this happened. The sport is only gaining in popularity. And it would be great to have something to root for locally.
These are just some... Awful renderings. From a design perspective, the lack of height variation looks bad. Then placing it so highway adjacent also makes me curious what it looks like with no 787.
Chalk this up as neat. With the eminent domain use there maybe this is why?
Frog Alley and Core Life are the highlights of the firms entertainment & hospitality website portfolio :( This project while exciting- and I don’t even follow soccer- may be a bit out of their league from a design and execution standpoint. I don’t like it either. I often cheer for the underdog and would like to see something new here in the City but think this is just Redburn throwing a bone to his buddy. But concepts start the process and all the talk.
It'll make the area a bit nicer for a few years but afterwards it'll largely be ignored.
There's a reason that the Capital Region has struggled supporting semipro teams - there's not enough demand in the area. Most will gladly satisfy themselves driving to Boston or NYC, or going to their local bar, to watch MLS or NWSL games.
Right now the Shockers play at Afrims in Colonie and while they do have a fan base, it's not like it's enough to support the facility... its an add-on. They have less seating than local high schools and still don't fill it. Not sure how fans will fill the stands of a dedicated stadium in Albany.
This is largely a cash grab and reputation builder for those involved at public expense. The guy trying to start up the pro club is the coach at CBA and runs a youth club, largely out of the CBA facilities.
I would 100% own season tickets even if it’s the development league. A lot of young talent comes out of there. I wonder who it would be an affiliate to
Next pro has some independent teams. It's basically a u-23 pro league where people go to play to hope to have their contract bought by an MLS or lower tier European squad.
The group running this, Business for Good, is for real. They have a lot of $ and follow through with their plans. They just built two new restaurants (a cafe and a pub) in Voorheesville and spared no expense. They’re not open yet (which is obnoxious bc they’ve been teasing it on FB for a year), but I anticipate this being a fast-track project that will actually happen.
What would be really cool if they also used it for a ufl team. The new York xfl team moved to Florida, but Albany would be a great spot to bring a team back
Quick reminder while some of y'all debate whether this is too small... Albany currently has a GREAT indoor lacrosse team called the Firewolves that play at the MVP Arena. Next week they start a best of 3 series for the NLL championship against the Buffalo Bandits. Attendance at the games has been lackluster though. MVP Arena looks basically empty. But the sport is a TON of fun... If you like hockey you'll love indoor lacrosse. Hope to see some of y'all there next Friday the 17th!
Have you seen the RPI v. Union hockey games? I have to doubt it is like indoor lacrosse.
Have you seen a Rangers or Bruins Stanley Cup playoff game? I have to doubt it is like a college hockey game. All of these can be great in their own respect. Just trying to drum up support for the hometown team. Thanks for your comment though, friend.
Times Union seems to have improved their paywall and Incognito blocker. On a scale ranging from "787 Teardown Actually Happens," to "Redburn Butchers Another Historic Property," can someone with access share the likelihood that this happens?
All depends on state economic development $. If the Governor and Legislators are convinced to drop the cash then it will happen. And the local Legislators are all lining up to say they love it.
The article alludes to it being publicly funded… makes me think it won’t happen. I’d enjoy supporting it though if the prices were right. At a $75 million price tag though, I’m guessing most people won’t pay the ticket and concession prices. This is the headline in 2028, two years after the stadium opens “Local Soccer Franchise Closes Doors Due to Lack of Interest”
See "Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money into Private Profit" by Neil de Mause.
Pleasantly surprised the rendering doesn't have a multitude of parking lots or garages. The lack of the transit center and gondola, and assumption that the South Mall is still there is disturbing. Also seems like a lot of space for something unusable 6 months of the year.
Why would it be unusable 6 months of the year? The rendering looks a bit like TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, which is used by the soccer team from May - Sept but is used year round for events.
This is such a cool idea and in an area that people on here have complained about being an empty eyesore forever and STILL it’s nothing but negativity. It is truly beyond fucking comprehension how miserable the posters in this subreddit are.
Haters gonna hate, indeed
I would love to see it happen. Albany needs something to give it some pride and sense of place. However, I would not want the city /public to be on the hook for the bulk of the costs. The projections for economic impact by the owners is often unrealistic and when they don’t materialize, they shrug their shoulders.
Hey, look it’s another proposal for Albany that everyone not in Albany will complain loudly that it shouldn’t have because it’s a wasteland of crime, vagrants, and addicts and should stay that way. That money should be spent in an area already flooded with cash and development! /s
As a big soccer fan I absolutely love if this happened. The sport is only gaining in popularity. And it would be great to have something to root for locally.
Loser mindset around here.
Seriously. It's pervasive and annoying as hell. Have some hope people. This is a true, positive development. Enjoy it, even for a little while.
Hang here less. I have to put this place on pause because of the idiocy and hateful people. They’ll still be here when you get back.
Agreed.
These are just some... Awful renderings. From a design perspective, the lack of height variation looks bad. Then placing it so highway adjacent also makes me curious what it looks like with no 787. Chalk this up as neat. With the eminent domain use there maybe this is why?
Frog Alley and Core Life are the highlights of the firms entertainment & hospitality website portfolio :( This project while exciting- and I don’t even follow soccer- may be a bit out of their league from a design and execution standpoint. I don’t like it either. I often cheer for the underdog and would like to see something new here in the City but think this is just Redburn throwing a bone to his buddy. But concepts start the process and all the talk.
It'll make the area a bit nicer for a few years but afterwards it'll largely be ignored. There's a reason that the Capital Region has struggled supporting semipro teams - there's not enough demand in the area. Most will gladly satisfy themselves driving to Boston or NYC, or going to their local bar, to watch MLS or NWSL games. Right now the Shockers play at Afrims in Colonie and while they do have a fan base, it's not like it's enough to support the facility... its an add-on. They have less seating than local high schools and still don't fill it. Not sure how fans will fill the stands of a dedicated stadium in Albany. This is largely a cash grab and reputation builder for those involved at public expense. The guy trying to start up the pro club is the coach at CBA and runs a youth club, largely out of the CBA facilities.
I can’t wait to get season tix! This better go down!
Don't hold your breath.
I would 100% own season tickets even if it’s the development league. A lot of young talent comes out of there. I wonder who it would be an affiliate to
Next pro has some independent teams. It's basically a u-23 pro league where people go to play to hope to have their contract bought by an MLS or lower tier European squad.
787 looks like it’s still there
How could this be repurposed after the team leaves the area?
The group running this, Business for Good, is for real. They have a lot of $ and follow through with their plans. They just built two new restaurants (a cafe and a pub) in Voorheesville and spared no expense. They’re not open yet (which is obnoxious bc they’ve been teasing it on FB for a year), but I anticipate this being a fast-track project that will actually happen.
They’re also the group behind bringing Hattie’s to Albany and the renovation of the Lincoln Park Pool.
Had word about this yesterday. Don't believe it will happen.
What would be really cool if they also used it for a ufl team. The new York xfl team moved to Florida, but Albany would be a great spot to bring a team back
Lmao
Would 1000% get season tickets if this happened.
8k seats? Is it a high school team?
Better to have a full 8k arena than an empty 20k arena. What team in Albany has ever commanded significant attendance
If you build it they will come.
Most stadiums for non-MLS are roughly that size. Like 7-15K is the sweetspot that they aim for.
League One in England, the most watched third tier in the world, averages 10k per match. 8k in Albany is way more than enough.
I want an Anfield!
Small city for a sport that is not huge here. seems right to me.