Improvements, changes coming to Progressive Field
Enhancements include terraced seating, new Gate C, tiered bullpens, larger kids area
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com | 8/7/2014 11:00 A.M. ET
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Reimagine Progressive Field00:02:59See some of the new improvements and enhancements coming to Progressive Field that will make it baseball's first neighborhood ballpark
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CLEVELAND -- In the midst of Progressive Field's 20th anniversary season, the Indians are planning a major facelift for the facility.
Modifications to the ballpark on the corner of Carnegie and Ontario will include a completely revamped main entrance and right-field area and a Larry Doby statue, among other enhancements. Tribe president Mark Shapiro was set to announce the details of the privately funded project, which will begin over the offseason, at a news conference Thursday morning.
"Fans have changed the way they watch baseball, and we must create new, compelling experiences as part of our ballpark's evolution," Shapiro said. "We're proud to provide those targeted new experiences while better connecting Progressive Field to the revitalized city in which we play."
Called the "Progressive Field Evolution," the coming changes are as follows:
New Gate C: The Market Pavilion and Batter's Eye Bar will be eliminated. Promising a "dramatic entrance" with "dramatic views of the Cleveland skyline from inside the ballpark," the Indians will reorient the entrance near the current location of the Bob Feller statue to allow a better connection to the new developments across East 9th Street and a better view of the playing field for downtown residents and workers.
Social gathering space: A climate-controlled, two-story bar will take root in right field, at the current location of the Budweiser Patio, and it will give patrons a unique view of the action on the field.
Bullpen movement: Both the home and visiting bullpens will be in a tiered section beyond the center-field wall, giving fans improved viewpoints of warming relievers in-game, and there will be a small group of exclusive seats just in front of the bullpens.
Connections to history: The recently unveiled Jim Thome statue and the Feller statue will be consolidated to one area at Gate C, where they will be joined by future statues, including, in 2015, one honoring Doby, who broke the American League color barrier on July 5, 1947. More of the high points of the 113-year-old franchise's history will be incorporated throughout the park, including the aforementioned bar.
Connection to Cleveland: The new Gate C concourse space will feature food and drink selections from popular establishments from Ohio City, Tremont, University Circle and other neighborhoods.
Expanded Kids Clubhouse: Just as the adults will have their two-story gathering space, so will the kids. In 2012, the Indians converted an area of suites into a family friendly destination that includes a climbing wall, batting cage and pitching machine. The project will expand this section to a second level and renovate it with improved attractions. The current Mezzanine concourse will also be enhanced with improved amenities for families.
New group seating area: The Upper Reserved area in right field will no longer feature traditional seating but will instead include terraced decks for group outings, including views of the playing field that were previously limited to the Carnegie Tent area on the ballpark's exterior.
In sum, the "Evolution" will lead to a modest reduction in seating for a 43,000-seat facility that was home to a then-record 455 consecutive sellouts from 1995-2001.
The Indians finalized the project's plans after extensive research of the fan base's preferences. It will be completed with support from their food and beverage partner, Delaware North Companies, and does not include any funding tied to the Cuyahoga County "sin tax" on alcohol and tobacco, which voters agreed to extend this past spring.
