BB&T Ballpark to receive 2014 Best Project award

The recently completed BB&T Ballpark was selected by ENR (Engineering News-Record) as a recipient of the 2014 Best Project award for the best new sports facility construction project in the Southeast region. The award is based on overcoming construction challenges through teamwork, safety record, innovation and contribution to the community, quality and craftsmanship, and aesthetic design.

BB&T Ballpark, home of the Charlotte Knights, is proudly acclaimed for bringing baseball back to Charlotte. More than a quarter century ago, the Triple-A minor league franchise moved to a nearby regional facility. After years of planning, the decision to design and build a new stadium in uptown Charlotte garnered an enthusiastic level of support from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Collaboration among the City and County, the Charlotte Knights, architects Odell and Ballpark Design Associates, construction managers Rodgers Barton Malow Leeper, and many other entities involved helped bring the project to reality. The site is an 8.5-acre parcel in uptown Charlotte’s Third Ward neighborhood.

The stadium has capacity for 10,000 and includes concession areas, full team and media facilities, a team store and a natural-grass field. Twenty-two private, luxury suites include refrigerators, air-conditioning, flat-screen televisions, cabinetry, granite counter tops, cable television feeds, and access to a private suite-level entrance.

The interior stadium areas total 101,414 heated square feet, and the exterior, unheated areas encompass 136,730 square feet. The ballpark was oriented to provide a stunning view of the Charlotte skyline from nearly every vantage point, particularly home plate.

The BB&T Ballpark features the widest HD videoboard in any Minor League stadium, at 30 x 80 feet. The stadium seating bowl is intentionally depressed below surrounding street level to eliminate views of back-stadium structures, and to open the stadium to inviting views from the street and sidewalk. The main entrance plaza is located across from the new Romare Bearden Park, creating synergy between the two parks and enhancing the urban connection to the facility.

The project achieved LEED certification, incorporating locally sourced materials, low-e and SHGC glazing, energy-efficient building envelope and HVAC systems which resulted in a 32% energy cost savings. More than 95% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.

Just before the ballpark’s grand opening, Charlotte Knights’ Executive VP and COO Dan Rajkowski said, “Everyone on the job – top to bottom – took pride in being a part of the team. It didn’t appear to be just a job to these men and women. I believe they all knew they played a role in a very special project.”

With affordable ticket prices, grass seating berms, stepped dining terraces, standing drink rails, a picnic area and the Home Run porch, BB&T Ballpark is drawing record numbers of fans and families from the region to enjoy America’s favorite pastime once again in the heart of Charlotte.

Click an image to view slideshow below.