Construction Update

We made a trip to Green Bay last weekend for an early Spring get-a-way, and to check on the progress of the construction project at Lambeau Field. For those who are unaware, read this. “Why change things?” some may say — Lambeau is only eleven years post-renovation. Well, a lot can be learned in those years, so improvements are being made that should be pleasing to most when it’s all done — scheduled for this July at the shareholders’ meeting.

The previous plaza area has been excavated away, and very little evidence of it remains.

Everything has been made level to the previous parking lot, and to the level of Lombardi Avenue to the North.

Another view of the Atrium entrance area, viewed from the Northeast.

Here you can see that the new area is level with the existing parking lot. That’s the Don Hutson Center practice facility in the distance at left.

A straight-on view of the Lambeau Field Atrium. The area covered by tarps behind the crane and below the previous Bob Harlan Plaza level will be the main entrance to the new Packers Pro Shop. It will be located underneath the Atrium’s floor, in a greatly increased space.

Looking to the Southeast amongst the construction equipment.

A view which shows how much earth has been excavated away from the previous plaza.

This view of the Atrium’s East side depicts where there will be another entrance to the Pro Shop from the parking lot — near the Oneida Nation Gate entrance. At this point, we’re not exactly sure which of the openings will be the entrance.

A view of Lambeau’s North end.

Everything is open through the current construction phase, except the Packers Hall of Fame, which will re-open in 2015. Curly‘s Pub will also close for a time before re-opening in 2015 as well.

The Oneida Nation Gate is currently the only access into the Lambeau Field Atrium during this phase of construction.

Above and below, some formerly always-open areas are closed off for construction.

The level of the previous plaza area is maintained outside the Atrium‘s main entrance. This area will now be accessible via a new stairway and walkway from the Northwest. Below this will be the new Pro Shop.

When you stand in this area, you will be standing on the Pro Shop’s roof over their main entrance.

The Atrium entrance is boarded up to protect it during this construction phase.

A look at the construction area from the Northwest.

There is a new Player Parking Lot area, with a new entrance. If you played for the Green Bay Packers, here are things you’d see while parking your car.

Players drive down this fenced area, which we imagine will be more formalized when the construction is completed.

The gates that lead into the Players Parking Lot.

First, you have to punch in your access code to make the automatic gates open.

This would be your view after going through the gates. It passes underneath the Oneida Nation Gate steps and plaza area.

The view at the other end of the tunnel.

A view of the new Players Parking lot from the South. The building to the left is the new addition added last year, which contains the weight room, players’ lounge, cafeteria, indoor practice area, and more. We’re hoping that we get a tour of this at the shareholders’ meeting in July.

Looking down at the new Players Parking Lot from the Oneida Nation Gate plaza area.

By looking at the markings on the base of the Lambeau field tower, you can see evidence of the previous steps leading up to the Atrium.

Above and below, more construction views.

A close-up view of what will be the Packers Pro Shop main entrance.

Backed up to Lombardi Avenue, an overall view of the main construction area.

That’s Lombardi Avenue to the left.

“But where are the statues of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi through all of this?” you may ask. This photo shows that they are unceremoniously stuck by the construction offices along Lombardi Avenue.

Two famous guys await the end of the construction project. They will be reinstalled by the new stairway leading up the the Lambeau Field Atrium.

An opportunity to capture Vince Lombardi and the North end zone clock which is always on “Lombardi Time” — 15 minutes early.

Another view of the statues, looking back towards the construction project area.

A view looking to the Northeast towards the residential neighborhood along Lombardi Avenue.

Looking straight up at Lambeau Field.

While we were in Green Bay, all 2014 season ticket invoices had to be paid — by Monday, March 31st. So, letting people know that they could still access the Packers Ticket Office (above and below) was very important. We paid for our tickets online previously, but some local residents pay for theirs in person.

Walkway leading to the Packers Ticket Office.

The Packers Ticket Office, which is closed on weekends.

But, you could still drop off your ticket payment in the handy drop box.

Above and below, Lambeau Field awaits the start of the 2014 season.

Coming next: Goodbye to the Packers Pro Shop.

An Autumn Day in 1963

We know it’s baseball’s opening day, but we thought we’d put up a full Green Bay Packers game program from September 29, 1963 for those of you who are starved for football. This day brought the Baltimore Colts to town, and it was the third game of the ’63 season. The Packers would come out on top, 31-20, in front of 42,327 fans at City Stadium on a 56-degree day. Enjoy this time capsule look back at Green Bay in the 1960’s.

Courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society