The expansion of Lambeau Field, a project that will include approximately 6,700 new seats in the south end zone, a new gate and rooftop viewing platform in the north end zone and new video boards, is progressing well and on schedule.
"We're excited to see the work well underway on the project," said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. "Working on this phase of the project now allows us to complete the north gate for the 2012 season and have the structure in place to install the new scoreboards for next season as well."
Approximately 60 workers are on site currently, and at peak construction about 300 workers will be present in their various roles.
The north end zone will include a new stadium gate, with six elevators, that will enable club-seat holders to enter and exit the stadium more efficiently and provide an additional ADA entrance and exit point. The project will include construction of a rooftop viewing terrace for use by club-seat holders on gameday, and will be available for special events on other days.
In the south end zone, the new seats will be added in four levels. General seating will be featured with abundant rest rooms and concessions, in addition to themed areas with some indoor concession environments. A new south gate will include pairs of escalators to each level and four elevators to efficiently move fans in and out of the stadium.
Both new gates will lessen the traffic at other gates throughout Lambeau Field and improve the stadium's overall entrance and exit patterns.
The installation of new Mitsubishi Diamond Vision video boards will take place later this year and be ready for the 2012 season. The project's other component, the new distributed audio system, debuted at last summer's Packers Family Night, Aug. 6.
The Packers are financing the costs of the $143 million project with no involvement of public tax money, including general and sales taxes. Components include a traditional loan and proceeds from the stock sale. The team may also obtain funding from the NFL and the stadium district's user fee program.
Miron Construction, of Neenah, Wis., is the construction manager for the project. Hammes Company Sports Development Inc., of Madison, Wis., is the project manager and Elkus Manfredi is the project's design architect.
Subcontractors currently hired for the project include DeKeyser Construction, Green Bay (site utilities); HJ Martin & Son, Inc., Green Bay (glass and glazing); Martin Security Systems, Inc., Green Bay (security cameras); Northeast Asphalt Inc., Green Bay (asphalt); Ostrenga Excavating Inc., Green Bay (excavation); Reeke-Marold, Green Bay (plumbing/heating); Tweet/Garot Mechanical, Green Bay (plumbing/heating); VDH Electric Inc., Green Bay (electric and data); Wayne's Caulking Inc., Green Bay (caulking); IEI General Contractors, De Pere (concrete); Wm. A. Hein Construction, De Pere (masonry); Otis Elevator, Kaukauna (elevators and escalators); JF Ahern, Appleton (fire protection); Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah (steel erection, concrete, masonry, steel); Appleton Lathing Corporation, Neenah (drywall); Merrill Iron & Steel, Schofield (structural steel supply); Central Restoration LLC, Oakfield (traffic coatings); ICP Inc., Germantown (architectural precast concrete); and Dataline Services Inc., Wauwatosa (camera wiring).
As an economic impact and benefit to the community, the project is expected to employ approximately 1,600 workers over the next two years and provide more than $70 million in wages. Long term, the additional 6,700 seats will potentially generate approximately $11 million annually in new spending impacts in Brown County from non-residents, according to a study by AECOM released in September 2010 by the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District that projected the impact of additional seating at the stadium.
