Environmental Review for Stadium Redevelopment Begins with Study of Alternative Sites and Introduction of Consultant

Crawford Architects to lead master planning and environmental review for new stadium and associated development; analysis of alternative sites finds Halawa is best suited

Editor's Note: We already have a good stadium.  And this consultant now admits Aloha Stadium is located in the best possible place.  So why tear it down for yet another unnecessary boondoggle?

News Release from Stadium Authority March 28, 2019

HONOLULU – The Stadium Authority today marked the beginning of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and master planning process for a new proposed stadium and ancillary development by introducing master planning and environmental review consultant Crawford Architects and releasing an Alternative Site Analysis study.

“We’re proud to have such a high caliber consultant like Crawford Architects leading our master planning and EIS process,” said Ross Yamasaki, Chair of the Stadium Authority. “They’re one of the best in the business having had a hand in some of the most high-profile stadium projects and mixed-use developments in the country including work for the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field, and Seattle Seahawks’ CenturyLink Field.”

As an initial step in their scope of work, Crawford Architects examined six possible sites on ‘Oahu for a new stadium and scored each on a set of five criteria including potential development costs, economic impact and the availability of infrastructure. The analysis found that the existing Aloha Stadium site in Halawa scored highest while the former Kalaeloa Airport scored lowest.

“Hawaii has an incredible opportunity to create a world-class sports and entertainment venue especially given its unique and enviable location in the middle of the Pacific,” said Stacey Jones, principal and senior partner at Crawford. “In keeping with the state’s desire to be as thorough and thoughtful as possible, we started by analyzing many of the sites that have been previously proposed for a new stadium. In the end, our analysis affirmed what many had intuitively thought – that the existing Aloha Stadium site in Halawa is best suited for this purpose.”

Over the coming weeks, Stadium officials will be providing updates on the EIS process, including stakeholder outreach and public meetings.

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Aloha Stadium:

Located in Central Oahu, the Aloha Stadium is Hawaii’s largest outdoor arena and home to the University of Hawaii Warriors football team. In addition, the Aloha Stadium hosts a multitude of events attracting visitors from around the state including concerts, graduations, fairs, car shows, professional sporting events, high school sports, local sports league events, non-profit benefit functions, and the ever popular Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace. Visit http://www.alohastadium.hawaii.gov for more information.

Crawford Architects:

Crawford Architects specializes in the planning, architecture and interior design of complex sports and training facilities; sports medicine; mixed-use commercial developments; corporate headquarters; convention centers; aviation and parking structures. The Crawford team has delivered projects through design-bid-build, design-bid, Construction Manager at Risk and public-private partnerships (P3). Notable Crawford projects include the new Vikings Headquarters and Training Facility, Lambeau Field – home of the Green Bay Packers, Centurylink Field – home of the Seattle Seahawks, and Camden Yards – home of the Baltimore Orioles. Visit https://www.crawfordarch.com/ for more information.

Link: Aloha Stadium Alternative Site Analysis 

CB: Planning For New Stadium Assumes It Would Be Built In Halawa 

SA: Review affirms keeping stadium in Halawa 

SA Editorial: Aloha Stadium plans get going