Wrigleyville in St. Louis

Watching the World Series last night, I became worried that the new Cardinals Stadium would be just as stupid as Minute Maid is (center field hill, train to nowhere, etc.). After all, what I saw from the highway a few weeks ago looked remarkably similar to the Juice: boxy, giant brick exteriors, etc. A quick look at the official site alleviated most of my fears. There will be no train, or waterfall, or animatronic Mark Twain behind center field. There will be a plaza, where patrons can walk around. Behind them will be an openwork fence, and behind that, the sidewalk. In other words, you can see the game (more or less) from the street. Across Clark Street (yes, Clark Street) they’re putting in ‘Ballpark Village’ an area of restaurants, bars, apartments and shops, many of which will have good views of the field. In other words, Wrigleyville. Someone finally realized that Wrigley Field is the Cubs’ main draw and is trying to copy it (only with luxury boxes). I say more power to them. As much as I hate to see the old stadium go, they could do a lot worse. Hopefully this stadium will have enough skyboxes, restaurants and bars that it they won’t be replacing it in forty years. I just wish it wasn’t right next to the highway.

Oh, most important of all, it will be called Busch Stadium (at least until 2025).