49ers New Stadium Approved (Photos, Details)
After one of the most exciting NFL seasons since 1998, fans of the San Francisco 49ers have more than next season to look forward to. If everything goes as planned, there will be a sea of red and gold sitting and cheering their team in neighboring Santa Clara just two short years from now.
On Tuesday night, the Santa Clara City Council approved plans for a replacement for Candlestick Park, the 49ers’ current quarters, built in 1958 to persuade Major League Baseball team the Giants to leave New York. The Giants moved on to new digs in 2000, to Pacific Bell Park, now named AT&T Park. This left their NFL brothers, who have played in Candlestick since 1971, awaiting their turn to move on.
So why not locate in San Francisco, given its storied history with the team? San Fran Officials couldn't agree on a location, and the team simply gave up waiting while another city nearby opened its arms. Santa Clara, by the way, has housed the team's administrative offices since 1987, so the pending move can also be seen as more of a combining of resources in one locale.
The new multi-purpose park, situated in the old overflow parking area of Santa Clara's Great America Park, will seat 68,500 fans enjoying games being played on a natural grass field. With a few adjustments, the number of seats can be expanded to 75,000 to support Super Bowl games and FIFA World Cups.
The new stadium, when completed, will be the largest building listed on the U.S. Green Building Council, including a "green roof" filled with solar panels.
When Candlestick finally falls to the wrecking ball, it will mean the removal of the world’s first modern-style concrete baseball stadium. It also means that the oldest professional sports franchise in California will be uprooted from their fair city after 68 years.
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