Jul 24, 2008 5:19 pm US/Eastern
Panel Recommends 18,500-Seat Arena In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
-
-
Plans to build a bigger and better arena in Baltimore City are underway.
Plans to build a bigger and better arena in Baltimore City are underway.
As
Jessica Kartalija reports, city planners have finally decided where that arena will be.
It's been the stage for the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
But it's out with the old First Mariner Arena and in with a bigger and better version.
"There are interesting, new possibilities out there. There's soccer, indoor lacrosse, which seems to come and go from time to time. There are wonderful concerts whether you like Hannah Montana and the Stones," said M.J. "Jay" Brodie with the Arena Advisory Panel.
Seven sites were proposed around Baltimore. Ed Hale wanted the arena to be built near his bank building in Canton.
"If you were to tear it down and build the same one in its place, what happens to the circus, the Blast, Miss USA, U2, Kanye West and the rest of the people to go there? There's just nowhere for them to go for the next five years," said Hale.
But city and state leaders decided the arena will stay put. They're asking developers to design an 18,500-seat venue, potentially drawing a pro-hockey or basketball team to Charm City.
"We don't have a basketball team, so if we got one, that would be cool. That would be hot," said one local teen.
As for what happens to the Blast and other arena events, a temporary arena could be a possibility.
"Our preference of course is to have a place for the Blast to play, for the circus to do the elephant thing, and Cirque Du Soleil to do their incredible stuff," said Brodie.
As of now, there is no set timeline as to when construction will begin on the new arena.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jewish Celebrities
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
