Again, in defense of those people trying to get the stadium done, they have run into a brick wall with this economy. We have been in a recession for a while. We are hearing about it more recently because it is getting worse. I spoke to Armand Grossman at the Michigan State game up in East Lansing. He said they had a very interested party on several occasions. Each time it looked like it was a go, the bottom would fall out some where and the donor would back out. I know if this had not been postponed for a few years we wouldn't be trying to get major donors during a recession. I do know those people in charge of looking for money are trying.

The money isn't out there right now.

I worked in public accounting for a few years. We had numerous wealthy clients. I know first hand that almost all people with wealth keep their money in some revenue earning capacity, like stocks. A few still keep it in their mattress. The market has slid drastically and many, many people have lost much of the value of their savings. My personal savings which are in stocks have lost half their value. My 401K has tanked also. So right now individual donors will be hard to find. We have to be patient.

illinoisowl said

Again, in defense of those people trying to get the stadium done, they have run into a brick wall with this economy. We have been in a recession for a while. We are hearing about it more recently because it is getting worse. I spoke to Armand Grossman at the Michigan State game up in East Lansing. He said they had a very interested party on several occasions. Each time it looked like it was a go, the bottom would fall out some where and the donor would back out. I know if this had not been postponed for a few years we wouldn't be trying to get major donors during a recession. I do know those people in charge of looking for money are trying.

The money isn't out there right now.

I worked in public accounting for a few years. We had numerous wealthy clients. I know first hand that almost all people with wealth keep their money in some revenue earning capacity, like stocks. A few still keep it in their mattress. The market has slid drastically and many, many people have lost much of the value of their savings. My personal savings which are in stocks have lost half their value. My 401K has tanked also. So right now individual donors will be hard to find. We have to be patient.

All good points. I think the frustration comes from the early idea of the dome and how much time and energy was wasted chasing a dream when something realistic could have been put it place back then. Not to say that the money would have been there, but at the time the economy was solid and it would have been much more feasible to construct a 20,000 seat outdoor stadium as opposed to the 40,000 seat dome that was being pitched. Too much time was wasted on the highly unrealistic proposal of the dome (I know not everyone is in agreement, but since day one I thought that the dome idea was a bad idea).

GO OWLS!!!
GO OWLS!!!

I had no idea this thread would generate so much negativity. I understand why everyone's so jaded but it's a little depressing to hear so many people knock this down without giving it a chance to be true.

They've already selected the architect, the construction manager, they say the final design is done, the area has been surveyed like I mentioned in another thread…. so if they get Crocker to sign on the dotted line by the end of the month, why couldn't they do a ground-breaking in March, with construction entering full swing soon after that?

It's possible.

I know there are many good reasons to be pessimist about breaking ground anytime soon for 2010 opening day - March is probably a bit of a stretch for it to get started, I know we are still within that two month window for it to happen for opening day 2010 (more then likely 2011), but until they move forward with the development rights - the fact will remain that nobody really knows when ground breaking will occur for the stadium.

It will happen, it just of when.

I think that part of the frustration can be linked to all the changes that have been made since the original concept of the Dome Stadium combined with the foot dragging of getting the Board of Trustee's to OK the plans and move forward on the project developments.  Since the Board of Trustee's have given the OK, there has been some progress made and now the Financing parts(developments rights)  need to be worked out.

At lest small steps have been taken, slow as it might appear, but taken regardless.  Timing of everything stinks (economic conditions), but regardless we are not too far away from making this a reality. Just a matter of when still remains the biggest question mark, which does very little to bring comfort to Owl fans who want dirt to be moving already.

It's not only about the Stadium folks, it is linked to the Innovation Village which will be the Biggest reason we will be getting the funding for the darn thing.  This is a HUGE project and undertaking, we just need to remain patient a little longer.

As hard as it might be - we need to emain positive.  Positive thought will lead to positive results.

owlcountry said

I had no idea this thread would generate so much negativity. I understand why everyone's so jaded but it's a little depressing to hear so many people knock this down without giving it a chance to be true.

They've already selected the architect, the construction manager, they say the final design is done, the area has been surveyed like I mentioned in another thread…. so if they get Crocker to sign on the dotted line by the end of the month, why couldn't they do a ground-breaking in March, with construction entering full swing soon after that?

It's possible.

It still remains a possibility, like the article I wrote stated on the stadium - we still remain in the window of opportunity for this becoming a reality.

And I also understand why many will remain pessimist about this until it actually getting started.

When dirt moves…when dirt moves.  ;)


GO OWLS!!!

Here is a link from Wikipedia which shown the latest rendition of the stadium.

FAU Football Stadium