This is either an example of hubris and comeuppance or just shoddy craftsmanship. Maybe both. Either way, there are going to be a lot of angry football fans in Texas. Per the Dallas Morning News:
Allen ISD officials said Monday that design flaws appear to have contributed to problems with cracking of concrete at the district's new $60 million stadium, prompting them to close the stadium for the next football season. Previously, PBK Architects, which designed the stadium, said the problems in the concourse level were probably caused by shrinkage in the concrete. But an analysis commissioned by the district shows engineers have found design deficiencies at the concourse level, according to documents released to The Dallas Morning News.
"The stadium is not safe for public assembly," Superintendent Lance Hindt said.
Approved by voters in 2009, Eagle Stadium rivals college facilities in grandeur. It opened in 2012 but shut down in February, when officials got a preliminary report about the cracking. Allen ISD leaders have decided to keep the stadium closed this fall, sending the district's state champion football team to neighboring Plano. The district has contracted with Plano ISD and worked out a tentative schedule to play three home games in two Plano stadiums. No season tickets will be sold. Allen ISD will pay its neighbor $5,300 per game.
What a fiasco. Imagine if the concrete at Target Field didn't just settle but started to crack.
