RISD eyes land near stadium

With the new Tiger Field construction racing down the home stretch, there are plans to increase access to that new facility.

Supt. Dr. Denise Monzingo told The Reporter the RISD is in the process of purchasing two pieces of property adjacent to the field, one each on the south and east sides, with plans to increase parking capacity and provide better access to the field house.

Rains have slowed work this week but the project goal remains to have the new field ready for the scheduled home opener, Oct. 5 against Manor New Tech.

LAND—Dr. Monzingo said the RISD has both properties under contract but the deals have not yet closed.

The sites are known as the “Hairston Property,” 524 Miller, across the street east of the field, and the “McIrvin Property” at the end of Spence Street, immediately adjacent to the south fence of the RISD football field property.

“The school board has authorized me to negotiate,” she said.

Dr. Monzingo said the Hairston Property is envisioned as additional visitor side parking. To the south it is immediately adjacent to the current visitor side parking lot.

The McIrvin Property is looked at as providing access to the Tiger Field House, which is getting a total makeover as part of the $5-million project.

At the “old” Tiger Field, coaches had to enter the east (visitor’s) gate and drive behind the visitor stands to reach a small parking lot.

Dr. Monzingo said even before the weekend rains the field house renovation was “90 percent complete.”

BLEACHERS—She said the next major step is to complete the home field bleachers.

Dr. Monzingo said everything for that project was unloaded last week before the rains.

After that, attention will turn to the visitor side bleachers.

Part of the east fence (Miller Street) has already been removed to accommodate the visitor-side bleachers.

Contrary to the numerous Internet and coffee shop-fueled rumors of past weeks, Dr. Monzingo said the district has no plans to ask the city to close Miller Street to accommodate the new field.