A demolition scheduled for early 2014 will level Candlestick Park, iconic home to the San Francisco 49ers for many decades. The planned implosion is expected to last for just 30 seconds.
Fans can rest a little easier knowing that the stadium will continue to host the team throughout the 2013 season, including the 49’s final home game, before the park is destroyed.
Candlestick Park gained an impressive history during the 53 years that it hosted events. It was the site of the Beatles’ final concert, The Catch, and two World Series. Now the 69,000 seat stadium will be blown away to make room for a shopping complex.
According to The Examiner , city officials have announced plans to move forward with the demolition in a move that silences the long debate over the best time to level the building. Concerns were raised by San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department over the possibility of allowing Candlestick to stand vacant while development plans were finalized.
The Lennar Corporation, which intends to build a retail, residential, and office complex on the site, is pleased with the decision to move forward. Kofi Bonner, president of Lennar Urban, reacted to the plan by saying:
“The best thing for our development and the neighborhood is not to have that hulking building sitting there empty.”
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that developers also plan to construct an arena with a capacity to hold 3,00 to 4,000 seats. The hope is that the new venue could support a women’s pro basketball team, hold small concerts, and possibly house the San Francisco Bulls ice hockey team.
San Francisco officials intend to use suggestions and ideas from fans for a goodbye celebration prior to Candlestick’s demolition.