Cleveland Indians: Artist stadium upgrade renderings look awesome

The the Cleveland Indians ensured the Guardians will be staying put not the corner of Carnegie and Ontario for the next 15-25 years.

The public-private deal, which is still depends on a vote from both city and county councils, will see the city of Cleveland kick in $117 million, while the county pays $138 million. The state will add $30 million, with the Indians/Guardians paying $150 for renovations.

The lease extension calls for no new taxes or tax increases, according to Cleveland.com. This is important, as no one likes to hear pro sports teams, valued now in the billions of dollars, are getting public financing. Money for the upgrades will come from existing revenue streams.

The Dolans seem committed to Cleveland, but they’re not going to own the club forever. If the funding/changes weren’t agreed upon, then all bets would be off. Who knows what’s going to happen five years from now? We never thought the Browns were going to move, either.

A new owner may have moved the club. Maybe not. Now, there’s no reason to worry. There will be professional baseball in Cleveland for the next generation.

Now, for the fun stuff: The upgrades. Progressive Field has aged well, thanks to some upgrades already made. “The Corner” was a hit from day one. The bullpens give more access to fans who want to watch pitchers warm up. I’ve never been, but the people going in and out of the party area behind home plate seem to have a good time.

So, here’s what inshore for the sixth oldest stadium in MLB (WOW) as it moves into the next two decades.

Cleveland Indians: New renderings

Early renderings, noted by Crain’s Cleveland’s Kevin Kleps, show what the Tribe plans to do with the upper deck. Man fans consider the shipping crates” in right field an eye sore, and they’re right. Ownership realized long ago that those seats will never be needed. For me, they’re a reminder of how the team used to sold out 455 straight dates during the Hey Days of the 1990s.

For as much criticism the space gets, I spent an evening walking around the stadium back in 2018. I was visiting from out of town, and wanted to visit all of the park’s spots. My buddy and I stood up there a few innings and drank a beer. Shohei Ohtani, then a rookie, knocked a single. It was a nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the lower concourse.

That vibe seems to be what the Tribe will go for early renderings realized by the club, as it will be more accessible to move around the “inner ring” of the upper deck.

The shipping crates appear to give way to party boxes…not sure how else to describe them. From he team’s perspective, though, it’s a revenue stream generated from empty space.

The Terrace club will also be transformed into something, although it’s not clear what. Kleps tweeted  “The Corner” may be a blue print of what’s to come. The biggest problem with the Terrace Club is access, as if memory serves me right, the only way to get up there is through an elevator.

On the third floor of the Terrace Club sits a treasure trove of artifacts, most of which came from Bob Feller’s museum, when it closed down after his death. Easier access would be a welcomed addition to Tribe history buffs.

As for the players, the Indians who’ve had the 3rd base dugout since the stadium’s inaugural season since 1994, may move to the first base side. Upgrades to the clubhouse will also come, while the Tribe will fix up its offices, as well.