One of the more unusual aspects about North America's consumer culture is the tendency for professional sports venues to be declared obsolete and replaced not that long after they're built. For instance, a large majority of the major league professional sports venues built in the postwar era of the 1950s, 60s and 70s have been, for the most part, replaced. The few remaining examples of those types of structures from that era generally have plans for replacements in the works.
What's interesting about this is that the buildings are seldom in poor strucural shape when they're demolished and they are still perfectly capable of hosting the events for which they were designed. The considerations are mainly driven by the businesses that occupy them. The older venues somehow inhibit the team's ability to maximize its revenue potential, so the owner will generally aim to replace it with something more lucrative. In some markets the owner will pay for the replacement, but for the most part the public ends up subsidizing or outright paying for these venues under the threat of team relocation to a friendlier jurisdiction (read: one that is willing to pay for a new venue).
The idea for this post came to me when reading about the plans in place to replace the Georgia Dome. On one level, it's astounding that a barely 20-year old venue which is still in excellent condition, can be deemed in need of replacement. But as team owners get better and better at playing muncipalities off of one another, it's not shocking that the typical lifespan of the new venues is getting shorter.
Here are a few of the short-lived professional sports venues that I can think of. (All images sourced from the Wikipedia entry for the corresponding venue)
Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium, which stood from 1966 to 1997
Miami Arena, which stood from 1988 to 2008 (but was only used as a major league venue for its first 11 years before being replaced)
Charlotte Coliseum, which stood from 1988 to 2007 (but was only used as a major league venue for its first 14 years, and once again in its final year before being replaced)
Georgia Dome, built 1992, scheduled for replacement
Richfield Coliseum, which stood from 1974 to 1999 (but was only used as a major league venue for its first 20 years)
What are some of the other short-lived professional sports venues out there?
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