(Images courtesy of the Dodgers)
A year ago, the Dodgers announced $100 million worth of upgrades to the National League’s second-oldest ballpark. By the time Opening Day of the 2013 season arrived, Dodger Stadium had a new home clubhouse, a new batting cage, seven new buildings, new bathrooms and a new video board. It was hard to miss.
Phase 2 of the renovations are more modest, but only slightly more conspicuous. The Dodgers announced the point-by-point 2014 renovation plan Tuesday, which include more trees, an Italian restaurant named after a former manager, a new visitor’s clubhouse and more history.
Specifically, according to a release by the team, here’s what to look for:
1. Expansion of the entries at the Field level, enabling all fans with Pavilion, Dugout, Field, Loge and Club tickets to enter the convenient entrances on the north side of the stadium. These new entries will also house new team stores and concessions and memorabilia to celebrate the team history, including its famous seasons in Brooklyn, NY, as well as its five-plus decades in Los Angeles.
2. Seating and lounging areas at bars and drink rails overlooking the bullpens in the outfield, giving focus to pitchers warming up as well as infield game views.
3. New food services with outdoor grills and specialty fare such as Tommy Lasorda’s Italian and hot-off-the-grill BBQ, areas where the Hall of Fame manager and other former players will spend time with fans.
4. An expansion of the popular Reserve Level “La Taqueria” stand near the kids play area at the left field Reserve entry.
5. Relocating the visiting team clubhouse to an area near the visiting team dugout at field level so that all visiting team areas are in a single new area adjacent to the batting tunnel, conditioning room and training area built in newly created space in 2013.
6. Continuing work on the upgrade of the electrical infrastructure that supports the 1962 stadium. In 2013, significant new equipment and substations were installed in coordination with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Work will continue this offseason to connect to the new equipment to improve safety and provide the best technology available for fans.
7. Enhancement of the ballpark’s landscaping. All 33 trees in the outfield area have been replanted on site and the Dodgers, the only team in baseball with a full-time arborist, will have three times as many trees in the outfield by April as before. The display of the famed “Three Sisters” behind the left-field bullpen will remain.
The team says it’s submitted these plans to the City of Los Angeles and expects the renovations to be complete in time for the home opener on April 4.
The architects for the projects include D’Agostino Izzo & Quirk (Boston), Los Angeles-based Brenda Levin & Associates and Los Angeles landscape architects Mia Lehrer & Associates. PCL Construction of Glendale is the construction manager.