National Building Museum to Host a Gala Celebration on September 17 in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Building Museum today announced that it will present its prestigious annual Honor Award for 2003 to Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL). The Honor Award recognizes the important and positive role that new football stadiums, including Gillette Stadium, and baseball parks have played in the physical revitalization of American cities over the past decade, as well as the architectural and engineering excellence demonstrated by many such facilities.

NFL Commissioner Paul J. Tagliabue and MLB Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig will accept the award before an anticipated audience of over 1,000 cultural, corporate, real estate industry, political, and sports industry leaders. The festive black-tie gala will be held on September 17 in the landmark Great Hall of the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

"Sports teams have always been an integral part of a city's character and civic pride," said Carolyn Brody, chair of the National Building Museum's board of trustees. "The National Building Museum is privileged to salute Major League Baseball and the National Football League for their leadership in the recent resurgence of urban sports facilities. These new stadiums and ballparks have a positive impact on local neighborhoods and many have received praise for their sensitive design and planning."

Gillette Stadium, which opened in 2002, was built by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft with more than $350 million of private investment. It is included on the list of 37 stadiums that will have been constructed or have undergone major renovations over a 15-year period (1992-2006). This list includes 21 football stadiums, 15 baseball parks, and one shared facility. These facilities in many cases have been the focal point of comprehensive urban revitalization strategies in their cities.

Engaging and evocative architecture, careful planning, and innovative engineering all contribute to the popular appeal of new sports facilities. They are often credited with enhancing local residents' sense of civic pride and providing millions of dollars in local tax revenue. For example, Gillette Stadium includes a pedestrian bridge that sits at the base of a lighthouse to create the stadium's signature view. The seafaring theme is designed to represent the coastal heritage of New England. The lighthouse is functional by casting beams of light into the night sky, serving as a beacon for approaching fans. Cleveland Browns Stadium's design includes architectural gaps, allowing views of the downtown skyline and establishing a strong sense of connection to the city. Ongoing efforts to create outstanding sports facilities are also evident in projects now under consideration, such as the proposed New York Jets Stadium, which incorporates remarkable environmentally-conscious design strategies that will minimize energy consumption. All told, the new ballparks and stadiums built over the past decade or so serve as outstanding examples of how skillful design, engineering, and construction can yield beloved structures that enhance the public realm.

Honor Award
Bestowed annually since 1986, the National Building Museum's Honor Award recognizes outstanding individuals and companies who have made significant contributions in the fields of architecture, planning, construction, and building. In accepting the award, the NFL and MLB join such celebrated past recipients as Michael D. Eisner and The Walt Disney Company, the Rockefeller and Pritzker families, the IBM Corporation, United States Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, former National Gallery director J. Carter Brown, and Lady Bird Johnson, among others. The evening gala will benefit exhibition and education programs of the National Building Museum, the only public institution in America devoted exclusively to examining and interpreting American achievements in building.

The September Gala
The September 17th Honor Award ceremony and gala black-tie dinner will be held amidst the magnificent colonnades of the National Building Museum's Great Hall. Sponsorship and tables for ten may be purchased for $50,000 (Benefactor), $25,000 (Patron), $10,000 (Sponsor), $6,000 (Fellow), $3,000 (Friend), $1,200 (Contributor), and $600 (Associate). Single tickets are available for $300. For more information about ticket purchase for the dinner, contact Eileen Gilligan, director of development events, at 202/272.2448, extension 3454, or via e-mail at egilligan@nbm.org.

National Building Museum

Created by an act of Congress in 1980, the National Building Museum is America's premier cultural institution dedicated to exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning. Since opening its doors in 1985, the Museum has become a vital forum for exchanging ideas and information about such topical issues as managing suburban growth, preserving landmarks and communities, and revitalizing urban centers. The Museum's engaging exhibitions and education programs — including innovative curricula for school children and stimulating programs for adults — annually attract nearly 400,000 people. The Museum is located at 401 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is free. Museum Shop. Café. Public inquiries: 202/272-2448 or visit www.nbm.org.

New Sports Facilities (1992-2006)
1992
Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga. [NFL – Atlanta Falcons]
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Md. [MLB – Baltimore Orioles]

1994
The Ballpark at Arlington, Arlington, Texas [MLB – Texas Rangers]
Jacobs Field, Cleveland, Ohio [MLB – Cleveland Indians]

1995
ALLTEL Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla. [NFL – Jacksonville Jaguars]
Coors Field, Denver, Colo. [MLB – Colorado Rockies]
Edward Jones Dome at America's Center, St. Louis, Mo. [NFL – St. Louis Rams]
Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, Calif. [NFL – Oakland Raiders, MLB – Oakland A's]

1996
Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. [NFL – Carolina Panthers]

1997
FedEx Field, Landover, Md. [NFL – Washington Redskins]
Turner Field, Atlanta, Ga. [MLB – Atlanta Braves]

1998
Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix, Ariz. [MLB – Arizona Diamondbacks]
Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Md. [NFL – Baltimore Ravens]
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Fla. [NFL – Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

1999
The Coliseum, Nashville, Tenn. [NFL – Tennessee Titans]
Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio [NFL – Cleveland Browns]
Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y. [NFL – Buffalo Bills]
SAFECO Field, Seattle, Wash. [MLB – Seattle Mariners]

2000
Comerica Park, Detroit, Mich. [MLB – Detroit Tigers]
Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas [MLB – Houston Astros]
Pacific Bell Park, San Francisco, Calif. [MLB – San Francisco Giants]
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio [NFL – Cincinnati Bengals]

2001
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. [NFL – Pittsburgh Steelers]
INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo. [NFL – Denver Broncos]
Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wis. [MLB – Milwaukee Brewers]
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pa. [MLB – Pittsburgh Pirates]

2002
Ford Field, Detroit, Mich. [NFL – Detroit Lions]
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. [NFL – New England Patriots]
Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas [NFL – Houston Texans]
Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, Wash. [NFL – Seattle Seahawks]

2003
Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio [MLB – Cincinnati Reds]
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. [NFL – Green Bay Packers]
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa. [NFL – Philadelphia Eagles]
Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill. [NFL – Chicago Bears]

2004
PETCO Park, San Diego, Calif. [MLB – San Diego Padres]
Phillies Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pa. [MLB – Philadelphia Phillies]

2006
Cardinals Stadium, Glendale, Ariz. [NFL – Arizona Cardinals]