On Sept. 10, 2011, UH defeated North Texas 48-23 in the debut of the Mean Green’s Apogee Stadium, built by Manhattan Construction. | File photo/The Daily Cougar
When the University of North Texas athletic director was in search of construction services for the Mean Green’s new football stadium, he did not have to look far to see Manhattan Construction Group’s work on display.
“The easiest thing was that they were in the process of building (the) Cowboys Stadium,” Rick Villarreal said.
“We were able to tour the facility at different periods of time. Every time we were around their folks, you just saw things being done the right way.”
Nearly two years after breaking ground, North Texas opened up its $78 million Apogee Stadium last September in a game against UH following a satisfying experience with the firm.
“The thing with Manhattan is that they will be very attentive to detail, but they’re also very open to doing things just a little better for you,” Villarreal said.“There were several points in the construction where Manhattan said ‘if you wanted to do this at this time, you could go ahead and do it and save a lot of money and it’s something that you will want later.’”
In addition to its work with North Texas and the Dallas Cowboys, the company has established its brand in Houston, partnering with the Texans to build Reliant Stadium and the Dynamo for BBVA Compass Stadium, something that appealed heavily to UH Athletic Director Mack Rhoades.
“Manhattan Construction Company has constructed preeminent athletics venues for successful sports franchises in this great city and in the state of Texas,” Rhoades said in a statement.
“With a builder like Manhattan Construction Company and architects like PageSoutherlandPage and DLR Group, we are poised to create a football stadium that will be a source of pride and the centerpiece of our great University for decades to come.”
The project is expected to cost UH in the range of $105 million with construction beginning following the 2012 football season.
If the firm’s handling of UNT’s Apogee Stadium is any indication, Rhoades and the Cougars have a bright future to look forward to.
“The one thing that I would tell Mack is just to be open to their suggestions and be willing to discuss those things that are important to you,” Villarreal said. “As you go through the process, they are a company that can make those things happen.”
Ib4 We don’t need a new football stadium and should spend the money on academics.