In this Hearings newsletter:

1. Season Ticket Giveaway Info 🎟️

2. New Renovation Details 🚜

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EVERYTHING IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS BASED UPON WHAT I AM HEARING FROM PEOPLE I TRUST. PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE THIS FOR FACT OR FOR ACTUAL JOURNALISM, WHICH HAS VERIFICATION STANDARDS THAT I HAVE NOT ADHERED TO. I DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT.

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New Memorial Stadium Details 🚜

New details are emerging for Memorial Stadium renovations, as the University is now taking bids to hire a developer for the project. The following combines Hearings and details from KU’s newly posted Request For Proposals (RFP).

First, the winning developer’s bid will determine most of the details we’re looking for. So, even the early rendering I shared yesterday is conceptual. We should expect significant changes until the renderings are rolled out by KU.

Onto the emerging plans:

• This isn’t in the RFP, but I’m Hearing the project will cost much more than the $300M originally budgeted. I think Phase One alone will eclipse $300M. Still, KU is going to make this happen.

• The RFP says the stadium will include “approximately” 40,000 seats.

  • A stadium’s capacity includes more than just “seats.” If there are 40,000 seats, plus standing room, a rooftop deck, etc., we’re looking at an official capacity closer to 42,000-45,000.

• The RFP also calls for a “significant increase in premium seating options,” which I’ll get to shortly.

• “Demolition” for Phase One is planned to start December 2023. Phase One includes the “west stands, north bowl, and conference center.”

  • Yes, the RFP explicitly mentions “demolition.”

  • Details for Phase One confirm an earlier hearing I shared on May 26. Below is the image I put out in May, followed by a version in KU’s new RFP ✅.

• Phase Two addresses the east and south stands. If Phase One starts after this season, I’m guessing construction Phase Two will begin in two seasons (after the 2024-25 campaign).

• I’m still Hearing the open endzone will be closed.

• The renovation plan mentions new “scoreboards.” The main scoreboard should be shorter and wider to preserve a view of The Hill.

• I’ve Heard the seats will be steeper and closer to the field than the current stadium. It’ll be a seriously improved viewing experience. (Not in the RFP, just a Hearing)

• The proposal recommends 3,004 “premium and club” seats. The stadium currently offers 989 “premium” seats.

• Again, I expect details this specific to change over time. Here’s what KU recommends in the RFP:

  • 1,358 club seats

  • 628 Suites

  • 294 “Ledge” seats

  • 164 “Loge” seats

  • 160 “Living Room Boxes” seats.

• The RFP calls for a mixed-use development area next to the stadium, serving as the new “north gateway to campus.”

  • An indoor/outdoor entertainment venue that can hold 2,500 people

  • A new hotel (with a bridge to the convention center mentioned).

  • Office space, including a “partnered sports medicine facility.”

  • Additional restaurants and retail.

• The location for the mixed-use gateway to campus is outlined in red, which also calls for a visual sightline to the campanile.

• KU’s outside consultant suggests that the mixed-use area would affect 467 of the 2,428 parking passes issued for football. The report calls for replacing the spaces but doesn’t suggest a specific solution.

• I’ve Heard ideas floating around like building a medical clinic for the general public, but I think that’s just one proposal. The point here is that KU making massive changes that will transform the campus.

• I keep saying it, but this is a massive project. The people I talk to with knowledge of the project say it’s going to be really, really nice when it’s done.

• If we’re setting expectations for Memorial Stadium, the RFP calls it a “completely redeveloped Stadium.”

I planned on running a Stadium Renovation mailbag today, but the new RFP details answered a lot of questions and raised some new ones. If you have questions for the mailbag, reply to this email, or send them to [email protected].

Yup, This is Scoopsmafia 😂