Architects Recommended for Kannapolis Downtown Sports and Entertainment Venue > City of Kannapolis | City of Kannapolis

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Architects Populous and Creech and Associates, Inc. were introduced to the Kannapolis City Council during the regularly scheduled council meeting Monday. The City has entered into an interim agreement with the firms to engage them as the designers of the Kannapolis Downtown Sports and Entertainment Venue. The venue will be the home of the Kannapolis Intimidators.

The venue is expected to have an intimate atmosphere for small and large groups with numerous seating options to enjoy baseball, concerts, festivals, and many other events. The City intends to have the facility open for the start of the 2019 baseball season.

As part of its introduction to City Council, Populous presented its portfolio of work which includes designing 48 minor league ballparks across the U.S. including Columbia, SC; Pensacola FL; El Paso, TX and Fort Wayne, IN.

Populous designs can also be seen in the arena, aviation, collegiate, convention center, and major league baseball markets, most recently through new ballparks for the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins. The firm’s major and minor league designs have won Ballpark of the Year 16 times by SportsBusiness Journal, Ballpark Digest, and Baseballparks.com.

Creech and Associates, Inc. designed the Kannapolis City Hall & Police Headquarters, the North Carolina Research Campus, the Huntersville Town Center & Discovery Place Kids, Mint Hill Town Hall, Indian Trail Town Hall, and the UNCC Epic Building.

Collectively, the architects have completed facilities at a number of universities including Western Carolina University, Coastal Carolina University, University of Utah, University of Miami, Louisiana State University and the University of Alabama.

“We are excited to work with a team of this caliber. Their expertise will help us build a venue where people will have the ultimate fan experience,” commented Kannapolis City Manager Mike Legg.

During the meeting Populous presented council with a preliminary concept for the orientation of the field which will be located on the former K-Town Furniture site. During his presentation David Bower, with Populous, spoke to council members about creating a venue that appeals to many while taking advantage of the unique downtown location. He reviewed current trends for the architecture of a baseball stadium such as various dining options, seating arrangements, technology, event space, and children’s spaces which create more entertainment and social experiences.

City Council is expected to vote on the contract with the architects at their next meeting on November 28.

 

 

Preliminary Concept for Orientation of Field