Red Bull Park looking at Fall '09 opening at best

If you are a Red Bulls fan who was hoping to take in games at the team's new stadium in 2009, you are going to have to wait longer than expected.

According to multiple sources, the proposed Red Bull Park stadium project in Harrison is looking at a completion by the fall of 2009 at best, with 2010 a possibility that is growing stronger by the day.

Legal delays and design changes are set to push back the construction of the new stadium another year as days go by with the site going untouched on a project that was originally slated to open in the summer of 2008.

Red Bulls officials would not comment on the stadium's construction time frame.

Team sources had blamed the need for additional site cleanup with delaying stadium construction but sources with knowledge of the project have revealed that the site cleanup was completed weeks ago.

So why hasn't the construction on the stadium gone vertical yet? There are a number of reasons. First, the sale of AEG's portion of the project to Red Bull is still being finalized on the legal front despite being agreed upon months ago. Until AEG's sale of its portion of the project is completed, the stadium construction cannot begin.

Second, part of the reason Red Bull chose to buy out AEG was in order to have full control of designing the stadium. Red Bull's image of the stadium has required design changes that are going to lead to further delays as those changes go through proper zoning approvals.

The typical stadium construction in MLS can take anywhere from 15 to 18 months. Assuming the project took 15 months, and construction began on Dec. 1, Red Bull Park could have been opened on early in the 2009 season. Now, with construction still being delayed, and the project facing a lengthy delay as design changes are approved, Red Bulls fans are faced with the very real prospect of attending Red Bulls matches at Giants Stadium until September, 2009 at the earliest.

A 2010 opening becomes a stronger possibility as days continue to go by without any progress. The fact that the construction will have to endure two winters also puts the project in more danger of being delayed by bad weather, which would push the project's completion past September of 2009, which could leave Red Bull with the decision of whether to open its new stadium for just a small fraction of the season or pushing the official opening to the start of the 2010 season.

Count me as one of the people who was actually fooled into believing the stadium would be done early in the 2009 season. That changed this weekend when multiple sources filled me in on what was going on. Who is to blame? Red Bull's desire to control the project and have the stadium look the way they wanted is going to put another year on the project. You can't really blame Red Bull for wanting the stadium to look the way they want it to, but delays caused by mismanagement cannot be excused.

Having just driven past the site I can tell you that there isn't much going on at the construction site. The good news for Red Bulls fans is that a stadium is still going to be built. Now it's just about waiting, and waiting is the hardest part after so many years of unfulfilled promises and missed deadlines.

Share your thoughts on the above story and the Red Bulls stadium project below.

Comments

[Joe]

Should we expect an announcement in 60-90 days?

[incasangre]

Utter crap that management can't alert and update the fans on the "progress" of this project.
In any case, thank you, Ives.

[Tim]

This is truly disappointing. I want a state of the art stadium with

- Overhead covering entire fan seating area (for protection from elements; improved sound/stadium atmosphere)

- Grass, state of the art field

- Seats surrounding the field – no area just set aside for a stage

etc.

but I was hoping the Red Bulls brain trust could get done by the beginning of 2009. I don't know how much longer I can put up with NJSEA (particularly if they make it difficult to sit in the stadium) and the atmosphere at Giants' Stadium.

[Tim]

Though I really like the Red Bull's vision ...

[Ed Ho]

Where can I go to see good pics of the proposed design? I went to the Red Bulls website and didn't see any diagrams.

[Richard]

ENOUGH OF THOSE EXCUSES ABOUT...OH, WELL AT LEAST RED BULL IS TRYING TO MAKE IT THERE OWN WAY.

WHY EVEN BOTHER WRITING THAT RB OFFICIALS WOULD NOT COMMENT...THIS HAS BEEN AN ORGANIZATION OF SECRETS.

COME ON AEG...YOU FAILED AT BUILDING US A SOCCER STADIUM...GET OVER IT, GET OUT OF THE WAY, AND GO BUILD HOUSTON A STADIUM BY MINUTE MAID PARK...IF YOU WANT A STAGE THERE, THEN LOOKS LIKE YOU'LL BE OUT OF THE SOCCER BUSINESS...

[Tom]

Thank you Ives.

I was hoping that the reasons you stated were the actual reasons. They would make sense, and since I have been involved in some very large projects in the tri-state area I understand it.

Legal and redesign can be a problem.

HOWEVER - IT IS FRAKING INEXCUSABLE TO NOT LET US KNOW!!! A SIMPLE PRESS RELEASE. THAT'S ALL WE ASK. AFTER ALL THE BS! A SIMPLE FREAKING PRESS RELEASE.

LET THE FEW LOYAL FANS YOU HAVE, WHO HAVE SUFFERED KNOW. BASTARDS.

I still won't show until I hear from them and something starts on that site.

No more. No more. I can't stands it no more!

[MasterShake]

I agree. Anything to let us the FANS know, thats all we ask for. A simple PR to let us know what the progress is, even if its not going to be build. Id rather know that, then stare at the webcam every week and wonder whats happening.

[papa bear]

As someone who wants NY to succeed as the NY v. Chicago rivalry in other sports has always been fantastic when the teams are going well (Bulls v. Knicks in the '90's) I have to say your club is the laughing stock of MLS.
Low attendance, criminally under performing at every turn and now the stadium debacle. It's really a shame. I hope it gets sorted out soon for you long suffering die hards. You deserve much better than what you have gotten in the last 10+ years.

[hincha tim]

FYI,
Here's a photo of the new SSS for Real Salt Lake scheduled to open next year.
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1978507885&context=pool-79139841@N00&size=o

[kahlva]

How does Red Bull not understand that without a stadium, they simply will not catch fire in this area?

Originally slated for 2008...now 2010 is a possibility? Awful.

Playing in Giants stadium is TERRIBLE. I'm a die-hard fan and even I hestitate before going to games there. Ugh.

And for the Front Office to be absolutely mute on their plans for RBP is inexcusable.

[Chris]

Is it me or does it seem like RB's are doing their best to alienate fans in every turn. Failures on the pitch and off.

[Tom]

Can't blame Red Bull for Bruce Arena. He looked like the right man in the US Soccer scene. Seems like they were trying to do the right hting overall for the fan here. I think they learned their lesson.

Alienation is a good word.

I'm happy RB wants to make the stadium first class and do it right just freaking let us know you pricks!

As someone said, I'd rather know than have to stare at a dirt field wondering wht the F is going on. When it's obvious something is going on.

A top notch stadium and no AEG involvement will heal a lot of mental wounds, but until construction starts...

F Off. I've had it.

[kpugs]

There's one positive for me, and that's tailgating. As far as I've been told there will be no tailgating at the new site, and we are usually good for 7 hours or so before each home game.

Other than that this has been a joke, and I fully agree we need a new stadium asap despite my personal love of tailgating before home matches.

[kpugs]

Ed Ho...try http://redbullpark.com/.

Not sure if there will even be pics now, especially since apparently the current design is going to be changed.

[kpugs]

Papa bear, seems like you were a tad bit harsh but that's not surprising since you are a Fire fan. Your core points are spot on but that was a gross over-exaggeration.

One small solace for me is knowing the "laughing stock" of the league was also the last team to beat Chicago before New England sent them home. A very small solace, but one nonetheless.

[Dro Scott]

As a fan who has a lifetime ban from Giants stadium this is pretty frustrating news. Till this park opens we know all were gonna have is weak attendance in a shitty stadium with a mediocre team on the field. It also seems every year relations with the NJSEA get worse and worse making it impossible for the die hard fans to really enjoy the games.

[Sean]

Giants Stadium is just not very fun at all for soccer. I have a feeling this is going to kill more proper fans. Red Bulls better cozy up to those kids in the youth leagues, because I don't think this is going to fly much longer.

Speaking of which, I would like to see a more adult audience for games. Thousands of people around you are games, mostly kids, have no focus on the game but are just waiting for the camera crew to get on TV and the passion and energy dies in that environment.

[Tony in Quakeland (Tony M)]

Is there a possible interim location - a college stadium that could be used with better atmosphere? Just wondering..

[Joamiq]

There are kids who read this blog, so I can't say what I want to say about this.

[metros11]

As much as I don't like the silence, I'm willing to wait if this means no involvement from AEG and a nicer stadium.

[CPTKevin]

does this mean that RB will continue to NOT spend advertising and marketing $ until 2010 when the new stadium opens??? I think that is the lame a$$ excuse they've used recently for not promoting the team recently... "Oh, we're just waiting until the stadium is built, then we'll really push the marketing." What a load of horse dung.

[sublicon]

I'm keeping hope alive...I want this.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Em_stadion_salzburg.jpg

[ct]

This is absolutely crushing. What a piss-poor organization.

[Matt]

Thanks Ives. I'm off to get my revolver out of the closet. MLS has to accept a share of the blame for allowing one of the league's flagship clubs, in the nation's largest media market, to become such a joke.