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Stadium board hears JLL assessment of Chase Field; tour approved
Summary
JLL briefed the Stadium District Board on engineering and facility assessments at Chase Field, citing concrete, roofing and chilled-water issues and an expected initial findings report by end of June; the board approved minutes, discussed bylaws and authorized an immediate site tour.
The Stadium District Board on Monday heard a status briefing from JLL on a comprehensive assessment of Chase Field and approved a site tour to view areas flagged for repair and renovation.
JLL principal Dave Demerest told the board the firm is advising on infrastructure and mixed‑use opportunities around the ballpark. "We believe that this solution is the best one for them," he said, describing JLL's work on master planning and public–private partnership options.
Randy Shields, JLL's day‑to‑day lead on the project, said the team is performing engineering‑focused assessments of building systems — including roof structure, HVAC, piping and concrete — and expects an initial findings report by the end of June, with early technical deliverables arriving by the end of April. He said much of the work will need to be scheduled in off seasons because Chase Field is an active, operating venue.
The presentation listed recent and ongoing projects of about $36 million and noted roughly $250 million has been invested in the ballpark since 1995. Shields said the team anticipates a multiyear sequencing plan to prioritize safety‑critical systems and to limit disruption during the season.
Board members and presenters discussed the stadium's seating and attendance. Presenters described current full capacity at about 49,000 seats and average game attendance typically in the low‑to‑mid 20,000s. Board members said some design moves could reduce seat counts modestly as the team rethinks concourses, premium spaces and fan circulation.
Sustainability measures were highlighted as part of the renovation conversation. Presenters pointed to the operable roof and modern membrane technologies as opportunities to improve energy performance; they also said the prior switch from natural grass to synthetic turf has reduced water use, a figure JLL presented as more than 100 million gallons saved.
The board received technical details about system degradation: a recent pipe burst in player parking, concrete deterioration across the venue and more than a dozen flat roof areas that have reached the end of their useful life. JLL said distribution piping and chilled‑water delivery show corrosion consistent with decades of service and that replacing these systems could require multiple off‑season campaigns.
Board staff said an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Maricopa County for temporary benefits and procurement matters has been circulated to members for review and that redlined bylaws have been distributed. The board was asked to submit comments in time for the next meeting, when the bylaws may be considered for adoption.
Staff also confirmed the executive director position is posted and had attracted about 60 resumes; Human Resources will perform an initial triage into three categories (not qualified, maybe, qualified) and forward candidates to a subcommittee for further review.
Before departing for the on‑site tour, the board moved and approved minutes from prior meetings and voted to proceed with the informational tour; staff emphasized the tour would be observational and not a venue for deliberation or formal action.
Next steps outlined by presenters include completion of the initial technical assessments by late April, a comprehensive findings and priority list due at the end of June, and continued design coordination with the board including selected member participation in upcoming design meetings.
The board then left for the scheduled site tour.
