Venue News: Mets Consider Altering Outfield Dimensions; MSG Debuts Upscale Menu

Since it opened in 2009, Citi Field has been a graveyard for home runs, but according to Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson, that will soon change. Alderson gave his strongest indication yet that the team will modify the ballpark’s dimensions before the start of the 2012 season, saying that the team is considering several alterations, one of which will likely be a reduction in the height of the left-field wall, which stands at 16 feet. That wall could also be moved in, as could a portion of the right-field wall. A decision is expected in October, and according to Alderson, “If we do something, it won’t be subtle.” Teams have combined to hit an average of 1.32 home runs per game at Citi Field this season, which is tied for the third-lowest rate among major-league ballparks…

…After being closed for 20 weeks, Madison Square Garden is about to unveil its new upgraded menu as part of a six-year, $850 million refurbishment. Sausage Boss by Andrew Carmellini is one of four new concessions that high-end restaurateurs have created to serve mainstream food at the 43-year-old arena; the arena will also feature Simply Chicken, Daily Burger, and Lobster and Shrimp Roll. The new menu board won’t be available until November because of construction, but MSG promises 50% more concessions by the end of the multiyear arena revamping in 2013, as well as 40% more restrooms at the venue. When the Garden opens its doors Oct. 22 after the first of three summer renovation shutdowns, fans will also be presented with the replacement of more than half its seats…

…After multiple failed attempts, the city of Henderson could be a destination a new $1.4 billion multiple-stadium sports complex proposal. Chris Milam has been noted for his attempts to bring a high-class sports complex to the Las Vegas area in the past; his last notable proposal came in Feb. 2011, when his company, International Development Management (IDM), proposed a stadium complex for downtown Las Vegas. A new proposal gives the Henderson area another shot at a stadium complex, this time consisting of a 17,500-seat arena that could host a possible NBA team, along with a 25,000-seat stadium that could be host to a Major League Soccer team and would host the Pro Bull Riding World Finals, which are held every year at the Thomas & Mack Center, located on the UNLV campus. UNLV athletics have been in the conversation, but are not in the immediate plans for the arena…

…A San Francisco real estate company’s purchase of the Great America amusement park in Santa Clara could make it easier for the 49ers to open an oft-discussed new stadium there, according to supporters of the proposed plan. JMA Ventures, a local real-estate company that specializes in redeveloping large-scale lifestyle properties, said that it bought the amusement park, which is next to the potential stadium, from Ohio’s Cedar Fair Entertainment for $70 million. Cedar Fair opposed plans calling for a 68,500-seat stadium to be built next to the amusement park, but JMA supports them. According to company officials, JMA will work with the 49ers to integrate the proposed stadium into the amusement park. Financing the stadium remains a major question, and the price tag has grown by $50 million over the past year, sending the cost to nearly $1 billion.

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