From our master plan, we know that Drexel is going to lease the Armory and renovate it and turn it into a basketball arena that will have at least twice the capacity of the current DAC. This is great because besides giving the Dragons basketball teams a home, it will free up the DAC for other sports and more recreational activities and give us a larger gathering arena for events such as graduation, convocation, concerts, speeches, etc. It is an around great move in my opinion.

However, I stumbled upon a thread on the CAA Zone message board regarding a new arena for Drexel. Here are some interesting ideas that posters on the message board proposed for arena locations:

• With the Spectrum possibly being demolished, have Drexel team up with Comcast to build a multi-purpose arena near campus
• On the parking lot between the back of Caneris Hall all the way to 30^th Street Station, where the university plans to build a skyscraper hotel in its long-term vision, instead build an arena (possibly narrowing or closing 32^nd at JFK Street to do it)
• Build an arena “on stilts” above the railroad tracks east of campus, where the shaft and current railroad tracks are
• Gut Curtis and Randell and build an arena connected to Main Building

I still think the Armory right now is the best and most feasible idea. Once we take over the armory, we can remove all of the jersey barriers surrounding the building, replace all of the windows, clean the brick, add central air, and close the street north of it and make it a nice path between East / University Crossings and the gym and Lancaster Walk. It is right in the middle of campus and will go a long way towards a gathering point for students and making the center of our campus more beautiful.

Source: CAA Zone Message Thread
Photo Courtesy of Drexel PDC