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COMERICA PARK
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DETROIT, MI
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Being just a mile from one of the most
historical and well known stadiums in sports, it was hard for many
fans to picture the Detroit Tigers playing anywhere else other than
at
Tiger Stadium. In 2000 that changed when Comerica Park opened.
Nearly 15 years before Comerica Park opened there were
discussions by the Tigers to build a new ballpark to replace Tiger Stadium. By 1988 several sites
were identified as possible locations for a ballpark including west
of Fox Theater, the northeast edge of downtown Detroit and north of
Tiger Stadium in the Briggs community. The Tigers initially favored
the site north of Tiger Stadium until the revitalization of
Detroit's theater district began. In 1987, the Tiger Stadium Fan
Club was formed to support renovating the stadium and developed
plans to renovate Tiger Stadium for $30 to $85 million. The Tigers
were hesitant of this plan because it would require acquiring ten
acres of land and they would have to close the stadium for two
years. When Mike Illitch bought the team in 1992 he was committed
to having a ballpark built in downtown in order to revitalize
the area. However, that year citizens passed an ordinance that
banned spending money on new stadiums.
That did not detour the Tigers from remaining
committed to building a new ballpark in downtown Detroit. By the mid
1990s Tigers President John McHale said that Tiger Stadium had
10,000 of the best seats in baseball, but was supported by 40,000 of
the worst. It was
 clear that Tiger Stadium lacked many of the
amenities of newer parks being constructed at the time. In 1995 the
city agreed to help fund a new stadium and in March 1996 voters
approved a plan to build a new ballpark in downtown Detroit.
Following other ballparks that were built during that
decade, the
Tigers new ballpark was built mainly of steel and concrete, with a
brick exterior. Constructed in downtown Detroit, construction began
October 29, 1997.
For the first time in over 100
years, opening day baseball was played at a different location other
than at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. Nearly 40,120 fans filled Comerica
Park on opening day, April 11, 2000. Located in
downtown Detroit,
Comerica Park is among several other prominent buildings including
Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions and the Fox Theater. Many
parking garages and parking lots are in the surrounding area and
fans can easily get to Comerica Park. As one approaches the
ballpark, fans see the brick exterior, massive light towers and
defiantly cannot miss the enormous tiger sculptures at many of the
entrances. Once inside the ballpark, fans are on the main concourse
as the field is 25 feet below street level.
Consisting of three levels, no
seat at Comer
ica Park is obstructed. Nearly all of the seats have an
excellent view of downtown Detroit. The lower grandstand of the three tier
ballpark extends from behind homeplate to the left and right field
foul poles. There is a gap in the upper deck along the first base
side. Fans can walk along the main concourse of the ballpark without
ever losing their view of the playing field. Beyond the left field wall
are the bullpens for both teams. In
straight away dead centerfield are several fountains that produce
liquid fireworks when a homerun is hit. Located along the
left-centerfield wall are five statues of Tiger Hall of Famer's,
including Ty Cobb. The main video/scoreboard
sits behind one level of seats in left field. Other than watching the
Tigers game, there are many amenities
at Comerica Park. They include a ferris wheel, a merry-go-round or
just taking some time to stroll around the ballpark to check out the
different view from various sections. After the 2004 season, the bullpens that were once located in right field
were moved
behind the left field fence and in there place 950 seats were
added. New for 2012 is one of the largest scoreboards in Major
League Baseball. The new 6,000 square foot HD/videoboard is
twice as long as the existing one.
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FACTS & FIGURES
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-Tenant:
Detroit Tigers
-Capacity:
40,120
-Surface:
Grass
-Cost:
$300 Million
-Opened:
April 11, 2000
-Dimensions:
345-L, 382-LC, 420-C, 365-RC, 330-R
-Architect:
Populus
-Owner:
Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority
-Former Name(s): None
-Naming
Rights: Comerica Bank, $2.2 million/year through 2030 |
-Public
Financing: 63%: 2% car rental tax, 1% hotel tax
-Private
Financing: 37%: $145 million from the Tigers
-Comerica Park Seating
Chart
-Home Dugout: Third Base
-Comerica Park
Ground Rules
-Directions & Parking
-Fan Experiences |
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CURRENT WEATHER AT
COMERICA PARK
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MAP & DIRECTIONS TO
COMERICA PARK
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Address:
2100 Woodward
Avenue,
Detroit, Michigan 48201
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HOTELS NEAR COMERICA
PARK
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MEMORABLE MOMENTS
AT COMERICA PARK
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World Series: 2006,
2012
All Star Game: 2005
42 saves in 46 save
situations by
closer Todd Jones in 2000.
Dmitri Young hits three homeruns on
Opening Day, April 4, 2005.
Justin Verlander throws a no hitter
on June 12, 2007.
Twins' Jim Thome belts his 600th career homerun on August 15, 2011.
American
League Triple Crown Winner Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
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