This is going to be very picture heavy, since I think most people who haven’t seen the new stadium will be curious to see how it looks. I had a chance to attend a press and VIP event this week, giving me a look inside the VIP area, as well as a chance to see their views of the field. Of course it was spectacular.
I also had a chance to take in my first game thanks to a couple of comped tickets from Mox Car. Urban Son-in-Law and I had great seats looking down the third base line and had a great time, while the team didn’t have such a great night. I hit the stadium early just to look around.
As I passed through the Old City, a couple of sights struck me. The first was a barricaded block of Central Street from Willow to Jackson “to help with traffic flow,” I was told. I find this interesting as the Old City was told that strip could not be closed to traffic for safety on Friday and Saturday nights because it serves as an emergency vehicle route. Hmm. More on that another time. I also spotted the police horse for the first time. They are, if nothing else, massive and intimidating.
Some of the parking changes were obvious, with “$20 Event Parking” signs on the lot beside Barleys, and VIP and Handicapped parking signs under the James White Overpass. I walked down from the Holston Building (Across from the Hyatt Place Hotel) in about twelve minutes. Urban Son-in-Law rode the shuttle down from the Langley Garage and it took him about the same. For at least the first two nights, I didn’t notice the much dreaded Carmegedon.
I know there were other events downtown, like the packed Bijou on Tuesday night for a great 25th anniversary show by the KJO, so the combination of events didn’t seem to make a ripple that I noticed. A friend sent me the parking map you see included here of spots to park, if you are so inclined, that are near the stadium. They are private pay lots, but less expensive, he said, than some of the others.
I walked around most of the stadium and enjoyed another look at the new statues. Please walk there and see them whether or not you care about baseball. They are beautiful. The plaza, still under some construction, teemed with pre-game activity, including the mascot walking about showing off his muscles, artists drawing fan portraits and more. I ran into a friend who said he and his wife enjoyed opening night from the hillside behind the stadium with a blanket and a bottle.
Of great interest to readers of this website, a significant number of future commercial spaces line the side of the Delaney Building (condos) facing west. Several others line the north facing side of the stadium, some with signs touting future announcements. The east-facing side of the stadium and of Yardley Flats includes one additional commercial space, as well as the leasing office.
All along the northern and eastern perimeter of the stadium and associated buildings lie properties certain to be developed or demolished and replaced with new development. Some demolition has begun and I was told one development will soon include commercial and residential space. There will be others. It’s hard to look at all that’s happening and conclude that anything less than a major new urban node has been born. It’s an exciting new launch point for the next phase of downtown Knoxville redevelopment.
I stopped inside the leasing office of Yardley Flats and was generously offered a tour of the development. Consisting of two buildings, the first is finished and mostly filled, while the second should come on line in late summer. Lots of amenities are including, not the least of which is a terrace with firepits, comfortable seating and a view of the stadium and field to die for. “Gypsy” gave me the tour and said the terrace is called the Foul Terrace (foul balls might land here), but she calls it the “Wow Terrace” because that’s what people say when the see the views. Despite myself, I said it, too. She also showed me one of the homes. Leases and preleases are currently being accepted.
After my walk through of Yardley Flats, I met up with Urban Son-in-Law and we easily gained entrance with our digital tickets, taking our seats looking down the third base line. I don’t think there is a bad view and our seats were great, with a perfect view of the batters at home plate. We were both surprised to see the stadium only about 60% filled on the second night of the season. Maybe weekend games will be more attended? Maybe the fan base will grow? Maybe all the chatter about carmegeddon kept people away? Not sure.
Before the game started crews performed last minute grooming and lining of the infield. The teams introduced, a large American flag unfurled by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the anthem was sung. One of the only glitches of the evening involved the sound system, muffled throughout the game, which suddenly sprang to clarity in the ninth inning.
I love the relaxed atmosphere of a baseball game, if not the game itself. While I’d never watch a game on television, a live baseball game hits me with a completely different vibe. Sunny, lazy days, the sound of the ball hitting the bat, cheerful organ music in the background and the chatter of the fans melds with the smells of hotdogs to render a completely intoxicating stew. I had two hot dogs, for the record. Delicious.
I made a new friend, because baseball gives you the space to do that. David sat beside me and said he and his wife had parked near Tombras where their daughter works and walked down. We chatted about baseball, travel, Knoxville, light rail, traffic, our favorite cities, and more. Just chill conversation over the light hum of baseball. Yes, please.
Oh, a game also sometimes intruded on our perfect evening. How did that go? Not so well. The home team needed much better pitching and hitting. Otherwise they did fine. Final score: 12 – 1. I’m not sure they’d like me to come back, but I’ll have to: I turned into a fan somewhere along the way. Bought myself a Knoxville Smokies hat and walked back uptown to the sound of fireworks after a great night. More, please!