ALBANY,
N.Y., June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Business for
Good Co-Founders Ed and Lisa Mitzen
along with a group of investors, including real estate developers
Jeff Buell and Chris Spraragen, and professional soccer coach
Steve Freeman today announced that
they have hired Populous as their architecture firm to develop the
masterplan and stadium design for the new Albany sports-anchored mixed-use development.
Today's news is the next step in bringing an MLS NEXT Pro team to
Albany/New York Capital Region. Ranked on Fast Company's 2022 Most
Innovative Companies list, Populous is a leading firm focused on
creating unmistakable spaces and experiences for the most
recognizable names in sports and entertainment.
"We are thrilled to name Populous as our design partner for
the new stadium, which will be a key part of Albany's local revitalization effort. They
have demonstrated a proven track record to transform neighborhoods,
revitalize cities, build relationships and connect people to being
part of something bigger. By having them lead the design efforts
for the South End redevelopment project, our community can take
comfort in having one of the best architecture firms in the world
helping us reimagine what Liberty
Park can be," said Ed
Mitzen.
"From Citi Field and Yankee
Stadium in New York to the Las
Vegas Sphere, Populous is a no doubt about it design group,"
said Jeff Buell, one of real estate
principals. "This group understands that we are trying to create
so much more than an event venue. We are creating a new
neighborhood, and with that comes the responsibility of doing it
right. We are confident we have the right team to transform this
blighted parking lot in Downtown
Albany."
The stadium being modeled for Liberty
Park will be built in the heart of downtown with mixed-use
intentionality. Stadiums naturally attract visitors from both near
and far, generating significant revenue for local businesses. When
a city hosts sporting events, concerts, or other large-scale
gatherings it experiences an influx of visitors who spend money on
tickets, food, accommodation, transportation - as we recently
witnessed with the Caitlin Clark extravaganza.
Featuring 8,000 seats and modeled after similarly sized markets,
the capacity of the new stadium can balloon to 12,000 for
non-sporting events, offering Albany a strategically located cultural asset
that will spur investment and encourage the revitalization in
surrounding neighborhoods. With the new stadium, developers and
investors are more likely to invest in projects due to the
increased foot traffic and visibility generated by events. This
renewed interest will lead to the construction of new residential,
commercial, and recreational developments transforming once
neglected areas into vibrant, thriving communities.
"Downtown Albany deserves a
vibrant mixed-use destination to call its own. The new
sports-anchored mixed-use development project is an opportunity to
activate the district with live events, a park-like setting and
surrounding mixed-use development that helps bolster the community
of Albany and provides year-round
entertainment for its people to enjoy," said Jonathan Mallie, senior principal and global
director, Populous. "We're thrilled to work alongside the entire
team to help bring this captivating project to life."
About Populous
Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus —
to draw people together around the things they love, through
experiences that capture all the senses and amplify the pure
emotion shared in human moments. Over the last 40 years, the firm
has designed more than 3,200 projects worth over $60 billion across emerging and established
markets. Populous' comprehensive services include architecture,
interior design, event planning and overlay, branded environments,
wayfinding, and graphics, planning and urban design, landscape
architecture, aviation and transport design, hospitality and
sustainable design consulting. Populous has over 1,400 employees in
29 global offices on four continents with regional centers in
Kansas City, London and Brisbane. For more information,
visit www.populous.com.
About Business for Good™
With values rooted in equity, access, opportunity, and prosperity,
Business for Good (BFG) is advancing the model of traditional
venture philanthropy in the Greater Capital Region of New York and beyond. Formed in 2020, BFG seeks
to give back to move forward. Its efforts have been recognized on a
national level, including being named to Fast Company's 2023 list
of Brands That Matter, an honor reserved for organizations and
brands that have built cultural relevance and impact through
compelling branding and efforts that naturally extend their
presence into communities. BFG was also awarded Fast Company's
World Changing Ideas Honorable Mention in 2022, which recognizes
pioneering teams that are playing an important role in the
betterment of the world through intentional philanthropy. Comprised
of a mission-focused team, BFG believes no challenge is
insurmountable through hard and thoughtful work. With a goal to
provide businesses and organizations with sustained support, BFG
invests in people for the long term and in every way.
Press Contact:
Jennifer Risi, The Sway Effect C:
917-887-8865
jennifer.risi@theswayeffect.com
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SOURCE Business for Good