“In 1992, I went to a game at Camden Yards in Baltimore,” explained Bill Giles, then the Phillies president. “I went back home and told David Montgomery and the other owners that our fans deserved a baseball-only, grass field, intimate ballpark just like that one.”

On April 12, 2004, the Phillies opened a new home described by Giles as the “city’s new jewel.” With Montgomery leading the way, the wheels of motion began. The road was long. Selecting a location, City of Philadelphia approval, funding, design and construction took time.

• Phillies Alumni

At the same time a new ballpark was being built in Clearwater. Bright House Networks Field, now BayCare Ballpark, opened on March 4, 2004. The Phillies became the first club to open two parks in the same year.

Step one was hiring John Stranix as the project manager, a similar position he had in the building of the MCI Center in Washington, DC. The architects and design team included EwingCole architects and construction company (Philadelphia) with whom the Phillies had a long working relationship, and HOK Sport+Venue+Event (Kansas City). The construction management team included L. F. Driscoll Co. (Bala Cynwyd) and Hunt Construction Group (Indianapolis) in association with Synterra, Ltd. and Don Todd Associates, Inc. HOK and Hunt were involved in building other ballparks around the country.

The project also included the Phillies front office. With Stranix leading the way, meetings were plentiful as were blueprints. A timeline was established. Stranix often cautioned, “We need to make a decision NOW. Delaying will affect the construction schedule and cost.”

From the beginning, openness, fan comfort and fan amenities were the No. 1 priority of “Not your typical ballpark.” Designed so intimate that it would put fans right on the top of the action, maximizing sight lines. The new ballpark could actually fit inside of Veterans Stadium with room to spare.

Design-wise, the landscaped entrance plazas open the ballpark to the streets at the site’s four corners. The new park also offers a special viewing platform near Section 210 of the Terrace Level. Nicknamed the “Break”, it lowers the entire right field deck by approximately 20 feet, moving those seats lower and closer to the playing field.

The design process included trips to new ballparks in Baltimore, Detroit, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Houston and Denver. “These clubs shared their experiences, good and bad, with us,” Montgomery is quoted in the inaugural game program. “As a result, we could incorporate many of those issues, or not, into our design plans. If we didn’t learn, shame on us.”

Coors Field in Denver has a partially open concourse. The Phillies design is totally open so fans walking around the 360-degree street level main concourse can always see the action on the field.

The seats in Camden Yard down the left-field and right-field foul lines face the center fielder. A sight line adjustment was made in the Phillies design angling the seats more toward second base.

Baltimore featured Eutaw Street, a festive outfield entertainment area located been the large warehouse and the ballpark. Fans with tickets are free to roam that area after the gates open. It had appeal to the Phillies. Initial discussions revolved around a Jersey Shore boardwalk-type area that would feature famous Philadelphia-style food, a retail store and other entertainment amenities for fans before, during and after games.

The final decision was a brick-paved outfield entertainment area named Ashburn Alley in honor of Hall of Fame outfielder and long-time broadcaster, Richie Ashburn.

Found in Ashburn Alley, in addition to food specialties, are an Alley Store, All-Star Walk (granite markers of Phillies All-Stars), Bullpens (view of the bi-level pens), Citizens Bank Games of Baseball, Memory Lane (illustrated history of the Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics and the city’s Negro League teams), Rooftop Bleachers (a Shibe Park phenomenon of the 1920s) and the Wall of Fame display of bronze plaques that was established at Veterans Stadium in 1978.

One of the food specialties in Ashburn Alley is Bull’s BBQ, hosted by the Phillies slugging outfielder, Greg (The Bull) Luzinski. Over the course of 20 years, the one constant is Bull’s BBQ. Only its location has changed.

Adjacent to the Left Field gate is Harry The K’s Broadcast Bar and Grille, a fun, bi-level dining experience. Named in honor of Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas.

Other food options include Brewerytown, Cobblestone Grill, Fairmount Fries, Gino’s Steaks, Hatfield Grill, High & Inside Pub, McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon, Phanatic Phood Stand & Phanatic Kid’s Corner, Neighborhood Pizza, Old City Creamery, South Philadelphia Market and Tony Luke’s.

Premium seating areas include the 1,226-seat Diamond Club behind home plate, the 2,500-seat Hall of Fame Club and 70 luxurious Suites right under the Hall of Fame Club level.

The 1.15 million square foot, $458 million Phillies home is a dream come true.

“We’re confident that Citizens Bank Park will deliver on every possible level. We couldn’t be more excited, both for the organization and for our fans,” said Montgomery.

The Timeline

Nov. 13, 2000

Mayor John Street announces the Phillies’ new ballpark and Eagles stadium will be located at the Sports Complex.

June 28, 2001

Groundbreaking for the Phillies’ new home.

Jan. 15, 2002

Full-scale excavation of the ballpark site begins. The playing field will be 23’ below street level.

March 26, 2002

Workers begin pouring concrete (approximately 52,000 cubic yards) to create the ballpark’s foundation.

April 9, 2002

Dimensions announced. LF foul pole (329’), LF power alley (374’), CF-LCF “Angle” (409’-381’-387’), CF (401’), RF power alley (369’), RF foul pole (330’).

May 27, 2002

Full-scale excavation is completed. A total of 440,000 cubic yards (594,000 tons) of soil is removed from the site, making way for the recessed field and seating bowl.

Oct. 17, 2002

The first piece of red steel is installed in the scoreboard structure. Overall, 11,800 pieces of steel (approximately 11,500 tons).

March 4, 2003

The last of 4,428 steel H piles is driven on the site. Total depth into the ground: 70 to 110 feet.

April 17, 2003

Plans are unveiled for Ashburn Alley, a festive outfield entertainment area. The centerpiece is a 10-foot bronze statue of Richie Ashburn. It is one of four statues created by sculptor Zenos Frudakis (Robin Roberts, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt).

June 17, 2003

Citizens Bank enters a 25-year, $95-million naming rights agreement.

July 23, 2003

The Phillies announce Daktronics and Venue1 will supply the largest LED video scoreboard in the National League. A total of 2,739 square feet, creating an unbelievable first impression.

Aug. 12, 2003

Workers are honored with a Topping Out Ceremony celebrating the near completion of the steel frame.

Aug. 22, 2003

The two 85-foot-high foul poles are installed.

Sept. 5, 2003

Seats installment begins. Made by Hussey Seating Co. Capacity 43,500.

Oct. 31, 2003

The natural grass and dirt field begins to take shape. Infield sod first, then the outfield. Total, 100,00 square feet of grass. Previous Phillies home game on grass was Oct. 1, 1970, at Connie Mack Stadium.

Jan. 7, 2004

Phillies employees have their first day in the ballpark offices.

Feb. 7, 2004

165-foot-high light towers are turned on for the first time.

Feb. 14, 2004

An 11-ton Citizens Bank Park sign is installed on the First Base Gate.

March 5, 2004

The 50-foot-high by 35-foot-wide Liberty Bell is installed on the rooftop bleacher seat level above Ashburn Alley. The Home Run Spectacular is designed by Capital Manufacturing.

(Source: Phillies Magazine, 2004 Inaugural Edition)