Architect Turns Abandoned Stadium Scraps Into Beautiful Bags And Bus Stops

When sustainability and sports fandom come together.
The nonprofit People for Urban Progress salvages material from old stadiums and turns it into durable products and urban design projects, like bus stop benches made out of seats from Bush Stadium in Indianapolis.
The nonprofit People for Urban Progress salvages material from old stadiums and turns it into durable products and urban design projects, like bus stop benches made out of seats from Bush Stadium in Indianapolis.
People for Urban Progress

An architect in Indianapolis is giving old sports stadiums a second life by turning their bones into projects that serve the community.

Michael Bricker grew up in Indianapolis and got his master’s degree in architecture in Texas. In 2008, he moved back to his old city, where demolition was starting on the RCA Dome, the former home of the Colts.

As he drove past the site most days, Bricker couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to the industrial fabric that served as the stadium’s roof. He estimated that if a company were to try and install such a thing somewhere today, it would probably cost at least $10 million.

The RCA Dome in Indianapolis, before it was demolished.
The RCA Dome in Indianapolis, before it was demolished.
Bettmann/Getty Images

Bricker ended up convincing the demolition company to save the dome. But then he had to figure out what to do with it.

“Sustainability, just that word, was just starting to become more of a commonplace term and approach,” Bricker said. “When we first were reaching out to folks to help us do this, they didn’t really understand why we were doing it. They were like, ‘What? What’s in it for you?’”

“We were just kind of like, ‘Well, this seems like a really valuable resource that no one has a plan for, so let’s at least just not let it go into the landfill,’” he added.

Demolition underway at the RCA Dome. The roof material, piled on the ground, was saved and given to People for Urban Progress.
Demolition underway at the RCA Dome. The roof material, piled on the ground, was saved and given to People for Urban Progress.
People for Urban Progress

Laden with nearly 13 acres of Teflon-coated fiberglass, Bricker founded the nonprofit People for Urban Progress. Working with local designers, they created a line of purses and wallets using some of the durable dome fabric. The first run of 1,000 pieces made $70,000. Half of that money went to cover costs, and half was funneled into community projects.

The bags were originally envisioned as souvenirs for local sports fans, but interest in the well-crafted accessories has spread beyond Indiana.

People for Urban Progress clutches, made from RCA Dome fabric and Super Bowl XLVI vinyl banners.
People for Urban Progress clutches, made from RCA Dome fabric and Super Bowl XLVI vinyl banners.
People for Urban Progress

PUP’s model is to use the earnings from the products they sell ― along with some donations and small grants ― to salvage other stadium leftovers and work on projects for the community. Using the roof material, they built several shade canopies at parks and urban gardens.

A shade structure built by People for Urban Progress, along with design and community partners, in the Highland Vicinity neighborhood of Indianapolis.
A shade structure built by People for Urban Progress, along with design and community partners, in the Highland Vicinity neighborhood of Indianapolis.
People for Urban Progress

When Indianapolis’ Bush Stadium was demolished in 2012, PUP salvaged 9,000 seats. Some of those were sold to fans, raising funds to turn the others into benches at bus stops that lacked seating. There are now 50 “Pupstops.”

Bricker said the group is tapping into the power of fandom and nostalgia to celebrate the city.

“Transit is often designed to be invisible,” he said. But the memorable baseball seats call attention to the bus system ― and to the people who use it, and their needs.

People for Urban Progress installed seats from Bush Stadium at bus stops around Indianapolis, more than doubling the number of bus stops citywide that have benches.
People for Urban Progress installed seats from Bush Stadium at bus stops around Indianapolis, more than doubling the number of bus stops citywide that have benches.
People for Urban Progress

PUP is also working on opening the Fabrik Bank, where they’ll store the materials they save ― including five miles of banners and other fabric used for the Super Bowl in 2012 ― and make them available for public use.

When Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl in 2012, organizers contacted People for Urban Progress about saving the vinyl banners, fence wrap and graphics that decorated the Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.
When Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl in 2012, organizers contacted People for Urban Progress about saving the vinyl banners, fence wrap and graphics that decorated the Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.
People for Urban Progress

PUP is tackling a problem that many major cities face. Supported with millions of public dollars, new stadiums are erected to placate teams, bolster a city’s image and attract tourists. But it’s common for a new stadium to make obsolete an existing structure, one that there’s not really anything wrong with. These old venues usually end up abandoned or demolished, which can seem like an incredible waste.

Not all stadiums suffer the same fate. The Houston Astrodome has been deteriorating since it was last regularly used in the early 2000s. But the site is protected by the Texas Historical Commission and the city is considering development plans.

When the 49ers’ old home in San Francisco was demolished last year, the construction company planned to recycle over 95 percent of the materials, according to GreenBiz.

Bricker’s project goes beyond recycling by taking an overlooked resource and returning it to the public. At the same time, it’s diverting waste from landfills.

“As cities age, increasingly their buildings are getting replaced, and particularly their stadiums,” he said. “These are often buildings that people really love... and we’re celebrating them a little bit more, extending their utility.”

A People for Urban Progress duffel bag made from Super Bowl banner mesh, RCA Dome fabric and reclaimed seat belts.
A People for Urban Progress duffel bag made from Super Bowl banner mesh, RCA Dome fabric and reclaimed seat belts.
People for Urban Progress

In Indianapolis, reuse and sustainability are no longer alien ideas. Developers have started contacting PUP before demolition begins, and Bricker is making recommendations to city stakeholders about what material to use for banners and other items so PUP can repurpose them later.

“They’re thinking about the life cycle and that process earlier on, and I think that’s the first step,” Bricker said. “It shouldn’t be an afterthought ― it should be the first thought. And I think we’re inching that way.”

A bus stop built by People for Urban Progress in Indianapolis.
A bus stop built by People for Urban Progress in Indianapolis.
People for Urban Progress

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Kate Abbey-Lambertz covers sustainable cities, housing and inequality. Tips? Feedback? Send an email or follow her on Twitter.

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