Univ. of Texas officials are "moving forward on a south end zone expansion of Royal-Memorial Stadium, putting a projected cost" of $140M on a project that is "still in the infancy stage," according to Brian Davis of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. Construction "begins with the demolition of the current south end zone score board, long known as 'Godzillatron.'" When it was erected, it was the "largest video board in the world." It cost $8M to build in '06. Prior to the '17 season, the "entire video board was replaced." The project will "call for exclusive suites, clubs, an open-air concourse and restrooms." Expansion would also "include a banquet kitchen, premium and student seating, private game-day parking and an area solely for Longhorn Network." UT football coach Tom Herman has "indicated his staff would like to be able to see the field from the coaching offices, mostly as a way to dazzle recruits." UT will "issue formal requests for proposals on May 16 to a short-list of firms under consideration," and those proposals are "due back to UT by May 29." An execution agreement is "projected to be completed by late June." It is "possible that construction could begin" in '19, and that the project "would be completed" by mid-'21 (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 4/14). In Houston, Nick Moyle noted this development is "part of the Texas Athletics Master Plan" published in '16. Though new Texas AD Chris Del Conte was "not part of that planning, he declared 'addressing our facility landscape' as one of his foremost priorities during a January meeting" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/14).
Texas' Royal-Memorial Stadium Expansion Price Pegged At $140M
