We expect lots of reports on the progress of the PNC Field renovations: this week the upper deck of the home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) is coming down.
It won’t be dramatic: because the lower deck will remain intact, as well as the home clubhouse and the playing field, crews can’t just take out the supports and watch the upper deck fall down. Instead, the upper deck will be taken down gradually, first with the roof and then the deck will be stripped down to steel and concrete. The concessions are already stripped from both the upper and lower decks, so there is plenty of room for the crews.
While work on the grandstand proceeds, renovation of the outfield area — berm, Tiki bar, kids’ play area — will begin shortly.
The renovation of the ballpark calls for an installation of a wrapraround berm and the removal of the current upper deck, to be replaced the actual demolition of the second deck. The concrete foundation would be poured by June 1, with the steel infrastructure installed beginning Aug. 15. The ballpark would be ready for occupancy by March 24, 2013.
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