Concerns have been expressed about early renderings of Globe Life Field, the future home of the Texas Rangers, but some officials are stressing that design work will continue.
Last week, the Rangers and HKS released new preliminary designs of Globe Life Field, the forthcoming retractable-roof ballpark in Arlington that is slated to open in 2020. The new renderings highlighted a few distinct features, including cool and climate-controlled areas to protect fans from the heat and an overall design that should be more intimate than the team’s current home, Globe Life Park.
A few Arlington City Council members–including Sheri Capehart and Charlie Parker–offered some positive feedback on the interior design, but expressed concerns about the preliminary plans for the exterior of the ballpark. However, Arlington mayor Jeff Williams and Brian Trubey of HKS stressed that more work on the design will take place as the project continues. More from The Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
But like Capehart, Parker wasn’t satisfied with renderings showing the outside of the stadium, to be known as Globe Life Field.
“I don’t feel like it’s giant steps ahead of the old ballpark,” Parker said.
Mayor Jeff Williams noted that the Rangers are pumping an additional $100 million into the ballpark’s construction and that the design is a work in progress. Williams noted that other teams often don’t release renderings so early in the project.
Bryan Trubey of HKS said that architects are used to getting “constructive criticism” from the public and that they will come back to the city with updates.
Officials are planning to stage a formal groundbreaking for the project on Thursday. Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company was announced as the ballpark’s naming rights partner in August, and that agreement will run through 2048.
Renderings courtesy HKS and Texas Rangers.
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