Stadium studies

As a Southern California architect who specializes in sports design, I am thrilled that Christopher Hawthorne wrote such an insightful piece on Dodger Stadium and modern architecture. It is refreshing to see the heroic spirit of these mammoth structures embraced for their potential. As Hawthorne keenly points out, these giant projects can symbolize the “hopes of a city or nation.”

As the NFL inches back to L.A., I would encourage Hawthorne and local architects to take particular interest in the shaping of a stadium. The last thing we need is a hacienda-like taco drive-through, to destroy the integrity of the Coliseum or the Rose Bowl. Let us make sure the decision makers share clear visions similar to that of Walter O’Malley.

James C. Braam

Los Angeles

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I have enjoyed many evenings at Dodger Stadium over the last 25 years and read the focus on Dodger Stadium with great interest. The wide overhead photo reveals the automobile dependency of the stadium and that 90% of Chavez Ravine was an exercise in “pave paradise and put up a parking lot” -- a parking lot that is unused three-quarters of the year.

Dodger Stadium should move downtown and make the most of a compact site. There is plenty of parking available after day workers leave downtown at 5 o’clock. Many could reach the stadium on the subway, light rail or rapid bus. Getting to the game could become part of the event, as it is in San Francisco. People could watch all nine innings!

Andrew Shaddock

Manhattan Beach