|
The Miller Park Report
Physical address: 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214
Located 2 miles west of downtown.
Ballpark Construction and Financing
Construction began on October 22, 1996.
Architects: HKS, NBBJ, and Eppstein Uhen
Construction cost: $400 million
Public financing: $310 million (77.5%) via a five-county, 1/10th-of-a-cent sales tax.
Private financing: Brewers ownership contributed $90 million (22.5%).
A July 14, 1999 crane accident killed three construction workers and delayed the ballpark's opening by one year. The crane collapsed while lifting a 400 ton section of roof and caused $100 million in damages.
Ballpark ownership is split between the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball District (64%) and Milwaukee Brewers (36%).
Naming rights: Miller Brewing Company pays $2.1 million per year through 2020 ($42 million total).
Facts and Figures
The first Brewers game, an exhibition against the White Sox, was played on March 30, 2001.
There are nearly 13,000 parking spaces within walking distance of the ballpark.
The field dimensions were designed with the input of Robin Yount, who played his entire 20-year career with the Brewers.
Miller Park has no air conditioning.
When the roof is closed, an air circulation system keeps the ballpark up to 30 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.
It takes about three hours to get the indoor temperature to rise to the maximum of 30 degrees above the outside temperature.
The Brewers spend $20,000-$30,000 each year to resod the field, which is necessary because the roof's design prevents the grass from getting enough sunshine.
The T.G.I. Friday's Front Row Sports Grill in left field is open 363 days a year.
Miller Park's Roof
The $50 million, 7-panel retractable roof opens and closes like a fan in about 10 minutes. It's the only fan-shaped convertible roof in North America.
The roof panels pivot mechanically on a fixed point behind home plate.
The roof is 175 feet above the playing field.
The roof is closed if game temperatures are expected to be below 60 degrees, or if rain or high winds are in the forecast.
Miller Park Seating
Capacity: 43,000
14,500 seats on the upper terrace level
12,650 seats on the loge level
11,700 seats and 20 skyboxes on the main field level
4,150 seats and 50 skyboxes on the suite level
The Uecker seats, named in honor of Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, are located in the upper terrace level behind home plate. They cost only $1 because the roof pivot obstructs the view from the seats. Sold on the day of the game only, there are between 200 and 300 Uecker seats.
Only in Milwaukee...
The Klement's Sausage Race has been a Milwaukee ballpark institution since 2000. The race takes place on the infield warning track after the sixth inning. Team employees, wearing 7' 3" foam costumes, usually run the race. The racing sausages are the Bratwurst, the Italian, the Polish, and the Hot Dog. In 2007, the Chorizo will become the 5th racing sausage to join the fray.
Team mascot Bernie Brewer slides down his yellow slide in left field when a Brewer hits a home run or Milwaukee wins the game.
Miller Park is well known for the tailgate parties in its parking lots. Fans arrive early to enjoy brats and beer in a festive pregame atmosphere that would make football fans proud.
Previous Brewers Ballpark
County Stadium was home to the Brewers from 1970-2000 and the Milwaukee Braves from 1953-1965.
Miller Park is located in what used to be the center field parking lot of Milwaukee County Stadium.
Fans attending Brewers games during their final four seasons at County Stadium were able to watch Miller Park rise as it was built.
Helfaer Field, a $3.1 million Little League ballpark, is located next door to Miller Park on land formerly occupied by County Stadium.
County Stadium was demolished on February 21, 2001.
Milwaukee Info
Airport Code: MKE
City Population: 596,974 (2000 Census)
Metropolitan Population: 1,500,741 (2000 Census)
County: Milwaukee
Daily Newspaper: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |
|
