The Seattle Mariners announced $29.8 million in T-Mobile Park upgrades for 2020, part of a 10-year plan to spend $280 million on renovations and upgrades, as part of the new 25-year lease with the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District (PFD).
The work, which will be performed over the offseason, includes 49 basic infrastructure projects as well as plans to enhance the fan experience on all levels of the ballpark.
“At 20 years of age, T-Mobile Park is still in good condition and a great place to watch baseball. The work we will be doing for next season and the years to come will ensure that it continues to be a first class experience for fans and is our home for generations to come,” said Kevin Mather, Seattle Mariners President and Chief Executive Officer.
Here’s a look at each portion of the work, according to the Mariners.
Infrastructure Improvements — $20.56 million
The 49 necessary capital improvements are required to keep the ballpark in good working order. The projects include:
- On-going replacement of roof wheels, painting, plumbing, and other basic infrastructure work;
- Replacement of the ballpark’s original, now 20-year-old sound system;
- Replacement of failing point-of-sale system to improve the fan experience at concession stands;
- ADA fan improvements.
Fan Upgrades — $9.24 million
In addition to maintaining and improving the ballpark’s infrastructure, the 25-year lease between the Mariners and the PFD requires the Mariners to continually upgrade the fan experience at T-Mobile Park. The upgrade projects to be completed for the 2020 season will benefit fans on all levels of the ballpark.
2020 Required Fan Upgrade Projects:
- Expand the Left Field Gate to add 15 additional points of entry for fans and replace the existing Left Field ticket office with a new concession area that will connect to The T-Mobile ‘Pen (shown below);
- Create a new bar and fan/group entertainment space at Lookout Landing above the left field foul pole on the View Level;
- Create an elevated Rooftop Boardwalk above the Home Plate Gate rotunda with enhanced viewing areas, concessions, monitors and kids play activities;
- Introduce a new seating option in the First Base Terrace Club with Terrace Club Loge Boxes and Terrace Club Tables to provide an alternative to single seats in favor of small group or social spaces for fans.
“In many ways, T-Mobile Park was ahead of today’s trend toward social spaces with The T-Mobile ‘Pen. We know that fans want to connect with friends and share their ballpark experience. The improvements at Lookout Landing, the Rooftop Boardwalk and Terrace Club will provide fans with even more open areas and flexible spaces to enhance their ballpark experience,” said Frances Traisman, Seattle Mariners Senior Vice President, Sales.
Flexible Social Spaces
The Lookout Landing renovation (shown below) will create a rooftop bar with one-of-a-kind views of T-Mobile Park, the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains. The atmosphere will be patterned after a casual backyard experience with bench seating and picnic tables. The space will be available for sale to groups during games and open to all fans when not in use for group events.
The Rooftop Boardwalk (shown below) above the Home Plate Gate Rotunda on the View Level will include a raised walkway for enhanced views of Puget Sound, bench seating and tables, outdoor LED video monitors, destination concession stands, a new bar area, and Kids Corner baseball themed activities. The space will be available for sale to groups for pregame events and open to all fans at game time.
The Terrace Club project (below) will create a new seating concept by replacing a number of single seats in the First Base Club with 18 Terrace Club Tables that will accommodate four people each as well as 10 Terrace Club Loge Boxes with padded sofa-style seats that will accommodate up to four guests. Both concepts will include video monitors, charging stations for mobile devices and in-seat wait staff service with exclusive menu options. The Terrace Club Tables will account for 72 seats and the Terrace Club Loge Boxes will provide a capacity of 40 seats for a net reduction of Terrace Club capacity of 367 seats.
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