Tell U-M to Upgrade Michigan Stadium Equally for All Fans!

E-mail marysuec@umich.edu and Regents@umich.edu

In June, with most students and faculty away for the summer, President Coleman and the Regents pulled another fast one – adding controversial stadium renovations to their agenda at the last minute, refusing all luxury box opponents the right to speak at the meeting, and forcing through the divisive plan on a 6-2 vote. To quote the Ann Arbor News, President Coleman and the Regents “rammed this plan through with all the subtlety of South American strongmen.”

The fight to save Michigan Stadium is not over. The Paralyzed Veterans of America have sued the University of Michigan to block the luxury box plan because it fails to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires U-M to make 1% of its renovated stadium handicap accessible. So now the divisive, $226 million stadium plan is in the courts. To read the latest court documents, see http://news.justia.com/.

Why won’t U-M comply with the ADA? Because the required wheelchair seats would cut into bleacher seat revenue that the Athletic Department is depending on to subsidize 83 luxury boxes, which don’t bring in enough revenue to pay for themselves. In essence, President Coleman and a majority of the Regents have taken the position that it’s more important to subsidize luxury boxes than it is to guarantee equal access to the stadium for all Michigan fans, in compliance with the ADA. We continue to urge U-M to change course and upgrade the stadium equally, for all fans.

President Coleman's Luxury Box Plan is wrong for Michigan. It would:

Cost at least $354.7 million, including debt service
Subsidize luxury boxes with bleacher revenue
Deny equal access for M fans in wheelchairs
Restrict major expansion beyond 108,000
Slash bleacher capacity by 4,300

Apparently, U-M has learned little from the Halo debacle at the stadium a few years back. So keep speaking out for a renovation plan that upgrades the stadium equally for all fans, protects its classic architecture, and honors the Michigan tradition.

Say No the Luxury Box Plan, and Yes to the Big House Plan

Developed by U-M Architects and Introduced by Fielding H. Yost III
Expands capacity to 117,001
Honors the existing architecture
Upgrades the stadium equally for all fans

Fielding H. Yost III unveiled the "Big House" renovation plan September 20 that would scrap proposed luxury boxes and increase the capacity of Michigan Stadium by 10,000 fans to 117,001. Designed by a nationwide, all-volunteer team of Michigan architects as a superior alternative to the U-M Athletic Department's $354.7 million Luxury Box Plan, the Big House Plan was developed from the Athletic Department's own baseline stadium renovation data as presented to the U-M Regents.
The Big House Plan would:

Expand capacity to 117,001+
Achieve all of U-M's consensus renovation goals
Cost $93.1 million, about one quarter of the Luxury Box Plan
Address the long waiting list for U-M season tickets
Upgrade Michigan stadium equally for all fans, without any ticket surcharge

Financial Comparison of Competing Plans

Contact U-M President Mary Sue Coleman via presoff@umich.edu and the U-M Regents via sjc@umich.edu today to say no to private luxury boxes, and yes to the Big House Plan.

Say No to Private Luxury Boxes in Michigan Stadium

America’s quintessential football stadium is at risk. Proposed renovations – including large private luxury boxes – threaten to radically and irrevocably alter the classic bowl that Wolverine fans have known and loved for generations.

For 125 years now – whether at Regents Field, Ferry Field or in Michigan Stadium – the Maize-and-Blue faithful have stood together, shivered together, cheered together and won together, side by side.

Private luxury boxes represent the very antithesis of that tradition, dividing Michigan fans by income and undermining the unity, excitement and camaraderie that Michigan fans of all ages and backgrounds share as they experience the game together. The very idea of private luxury boxes in Michigan Stadium runs contrary to the egalitarian ideals to which the U-M is dedicated. In short, the proposed private luxury boxes just aren’t “Michigan.”

Now it is time for Michigan fans to stand together to defend the essential architectural integrity of our historic stadium – and Michigan’s egalitarian tradition – by saying no to radical changes such as private luxury boxes. We urge you to join fellow fans in signing the e-petition on this site, then contact the University officials listed below.

Remember the Halo?

Remember the last major renovation, when planners insisted that “the halo” would be an architectural improvement and rushed through its construction? Fans cried foul, donations dropped, and the halo had to be ripped down. Private luxury boxes are like that halo – only immeasurably larger, more imposing, inside the stadium, and permanent. Unless we as fans come together to act now.

Upgrade Facilities Without Trampling on Tradition

As loyal fans, we fully support the U-M’s intent to upgrade player facilities, modernize the press box, improve restrooms, increase access for people with disabilities, and enhance public safety. Any renovations, however, should protect and preserve the traditional, elegant and powerful symmetry of Michigan Stadium. If the U-M decides to enlarge the stadium to maintain our status as the biggest in the country, let’s make sure we do it in a way that provides equal amenities to all fans – not just to a fortunate few – and that honors the stadium’s traditional architectural legacy.

Support Our Winning Tradition

Some will argue that we need luxury boxes to increase revenue for Michigan athletics. As fans, we support increasing revenue, too. In fact, tens of thousands of football fans are now contributing hundreds of dollars each in new, annual seat-license fees. This effectively represents a sudden leap in ticket prices of far more than 100 percent. Others are giving directly to the Athletic Department – which is currently running a surplus – and to other programs at the University.

Alternatively, some will say that we need private luxury boxes to keep pace with changes at other major universities, arguing that “everyone else is doing it.” Since when do we seek to emulate the likes of Ohio State or Florida State?

Arguing that we must forever degrade the classic form of America’s most famous stadium because the U-M needs the revenue to compete is setting up a false choice. For more than a century now, Michigan teams have been winning national titles in a broad array of sports. That tradition of victory is based on superior athletes, great coaches, loyal fans, and a competitive spirit – not private luxury boxes. So let’s reject options that threaten our stadium’s integrity and the shared fan experience, and pursue ways to meet revenue goals that do not trample – but rather celebrate – the best of Michigan’s values and traditions.

Contact the University of Michigan Today to Save the Big House

If you love Michigan Stadium and want to protect its essential, historic character as America’s classic football stadium, please sign the following petition to the University. Together we can and will save the Big House.

SaveTheBigHouse is a non-profit coalition of Michigan alumni, faculty, students and fans who believe that any renovation or enlargement of Michigan Stadium should provide equal amenities for all fans, and should honor and protect the stadium’s classic form and character. We oppose construction of private luxury boxes, which – in dividing fans by income – would undermine the unified and egalitarian tradition that makes Saturday afternoons in Michigan Stadium such a thrilling, unmatched experience.

Go Blue!

To Save the Big House, please:

1. Sign the petition to oppose private luxury boxes

2. Contact the Regents, the President and Athletic Director while they are still deliberating all potential options for Michigan Stadium. Ask them to oppose private luxury boxes; support renovations that provide equal amenities for all fans; and protect the classic form and character of Michigan Stadium for future generations.

To contact the Regents as a group:	U-M Regents c/o Sally Churchill Vice President and Secretary of the University 503 Thompson Street 2074 Fleming Administration Building Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340 sjc@umich.edu (734) 763-5553
President Mary Sue Coleman University of Michigan 503 Thompson Street 2074 Fleming Building Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340 Phone: (734) 764-6270 Fax: (734) 936-3529 Email: presoff@umich.edu	Athletic Director Bill Martin Athletic Department University of Michigan 1000 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2201 Phone: (734) 647-2583

3. Contact the Regents individually

Julia Donovan Darlow P.O. Box 130047 Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0047 Phone: (313) 690-3054 Email: jdarlow@umich.edu	Laurence B. Deitch Bodman LLP 34th Floor 100 Renaissance Center Detroit, MI 48243 Phone: (313) 392-1055 Email: ldeitch@umich.edu
Olivia P. Maynard Northbank Center, Suite 406 432 N. Saginaw Street Flint, MI 48502 Phone: (810) 239-1535 Email: omaynard@umich.edu	Rebecca McGowan 2210 Melrose Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Phone: (734) 668-8873 Email: rmcgowan@umich.edu
Andrea Fischer Newman Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Northwest Airlines Detroit Metropolitan Airport 2601 WorldGateway Place Detroit, MI 48242 Email: afnewman@umich.edu	Andrew C. Richner Clark Hill PLC 500 Woodward Ave., Suite 3500 Detroit, MI 48226-3435 Phone: (313) 965-8531 Email: richner@umich.edu
S. Martin Taylor 43 Beacon Hill Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 Email: taylorsm@umich.edu	Katherine E. White P.O. Box 1842 Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1842 Phone: (313) 577-1054 Email: kewhite@umich.edu