Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex - Facilities

Facilities

The ballpark and arena were the first sports facilities in the United States to be constructed simultaneously at the same location. The siblings are connected to Tower City Center and the RTA Rapid Transit system via an underground walkway.

The ballpark was completed first, opening on April 4, 1994, as Jacobs Field (now known as Progressive Field). It cost approximately $175 million to build, of which $91 million, or 52 percent, came from Indians owner Richard Jacobs. The remaining $84 million, or 48 percent, was from a 15-year sin tax. It was designed by HOK Sport (now known as Populous), a division of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum. HOK designed it as a retro-modern ballpark, similar to their just-completed Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, with asymmetrical fences of varying heights, a smaller upper deck, and stepped tiers. The ballpark was situated in a way that would showcase Cleveland's downtown skyline.

Gund Arena (now known as Quicken Loans Arena), a roughly square-shaped build, has dimensions of 480 feet (150 m) long by 440 feet (130 m) wide by 140 feet (43 m) high (750,000 square feet (70,000 m2)). It was designed by Ellerbe Becket Sports & Venue and Robert P. Madison International Inc., a local architectural firm. Similar to the ballpark's downtown views, the arena has a 108-foot (33 m) by 48-foot (15 m) bay window that faces southeast and shows off the city's industrial Flats. The construction and engineering were completed by an integrated team from Ellerbe Becket. The underground service area can accommodate 26 tour buses. It was built for approximately $152 million and opened on October 17, 1994.

Gateway Plaza is multifunctional open space situated between Quicken Loans Arena to the north, Ontario Street to the west, Gateway East parking garage to the west, and Progressive Field to the south. However, it is technically bordered by Bolivar Road, Ontario Street, East 6th Street, and Eagle Avenue. It is primarily concrete roadway, but it does features decorative industrial art pieces and limited green space. On game days, it frequently hosts on-location radio and television broadcasts, along with satellite trucks for TV broadcast uplinks, as well as other game-related events. For instance, some events for the 1997 MLB All-Star Game Fan Fest were held in Gateway Plaza.

There are two parking garages, which can hold 3,300 cars. The Gateway North garage is an rectangular-shaped structure, with its main entrance on Ontario Street and another two on High Street. A third floor covered walkway above Huron Road connects on its south east corner to The Q. The City of Cleveland plans to convert a portion of the garage into a downtown bike station. The Gateway East garage is an L-shaped structure, with three covered walkways. A third floor covered walkway above East 6th Street connects on its western side to The Q, while two more connect to ballpark to its south above Eagle Ave. Its main entrance is on Huron Road, with a season-ticket holders entrance at East 6th and Bolivar and another at East 7th and Bolivar. Both garages are currently managed by Standard Parking.