The Cockpit - North End Zone Expansion Project

(11/17/06) - The $50 million Williams-Brice expansion over the north end zone will be above the current student section and would require the Floyd Football Building to be demolished. Hyman described a possible atrium area in the north end zone's ground level to create "open, airy space," and allow for easier fan traffic. Williams-Brice Stadium will also get a facelift on the west side, where the player locker rooms and sports medicine facilities would be renovated. Offices from the Floyd Building will be moved to the south end zone's Crews Facility, where a third floor will be constructed. There is no definitive timetable for the north end zone, as many pieces of the plan must fall into place. For example, the seating can't be constructed until the university can make the current farmer's market into parking and have the offices moved from the Floyd Building to the Crews Facility. The proposed football expansion would allow Williams-Brice to seat between 88,000 to 90,000. Hyman said that while some fans want more seating, the exponential costs of advanced expansion make it prohibitive. For now, the baseball stadium and academic support facility are on the fast track.