Carolina Panthers: What would a new stadium look like?
By Shane Norris
The Carolina Panthers could eye a soon-to-be-vacated location in Uptown Charlotte for a new stadium. We take a look at the location and what a new arena could look like.
News began trickling out this month that one of Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper’s favored sites for a new stadium could open for development. This week, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry told WCNC that it would be relocating from a piece of land in Uptown near the current Bank of America Stadium.
BREAKING: A spokesperson for Charlotte Pipe and Foundry says they will move operations to Stanly County.
— Rob Hughes (@robhughes_) May 12, 2020
Charlotte Pipe says site work could begin later this year and the new plant could begin operating as early as mid-2023.
As for the 55-acre piece of land in Uptown...
Fifty-five acres may not seem like that large of a space for a new arena. But the current Carolina Panthers’ stadium’s entire footprint, including practice fields and landscaping, is just 33 acres. According to the team site, the stadium itself takes up just 15 acres with another 11 acres of surrounding plazas and walkways.
The Panthers made waves with some PSL owners this winter when they announced stadium renovations. This involved the removal of several seats to add new field-level suites and other amenities to the stadium. This announcement came shortly after Major League Soccer announced it would add an expansion team to the city.
While these upgrades may seem like they’d preclude abandoning Bank of America Stadium. Tepper has said there’s a timetable on replacing the Panther’s first permanent home:
"“At some point, we have to decide if we want to put a new stadium here. And what we want to do. Do we want to live with this old stadium or do we want to put (up a new one)?"
What could the Panther’s new owner do with 55 acres in Uptown Charlotte if he chooses to make the jump?