We’re not sure why the NBC affiliate in Charlotte (NC) is even bringing this up, but the rendering for the proposed new ballpark for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights (International League) looks like Huntington Park, the Triple-A stadium in Columbus (OH). Unless one designer is stealing from another, it’s no big deal. Besides, you don’t spend a ton of money on design work until you have the financing/funding plan in place. You simply want to give city leaders and fans a basic “idea” of what a stadium might look like in the chosen location. The actual design work will come later. By the way, Huntington has received high marks from ballpark reviewers and is Triple-A approved, so it makes for a great “model.” Read more here.
Ballpark ‘Gotcha’ in Charlotte
Filed under Design & Construction, Stadium Issues
ballparkbiz.wordpress.com 
Sorry, but I think it is a big deal, because an actual photograph of Huntington Park was used, and the skyline of Charlotte was then “Photoshopped” in. To make matters worse, the architects who designed Huntington Park were finalists for the Charlotte project, but in the end they weren’t selected … yet their ballpark was used in the image released to the public anyway. I understand that the Knights love Huntington Park (with very good reason), but if they wanted their new ballpark to be very similar to Columbus’ stadium, then they could’ve hired the same architects. In my opinion, this *is* like “one designer stealing from another,” so it is a big deal, because Charlotte and the Knights weren’t honest with the public when they released that image the other day..
Let me clarify — if 360 Architecture is not the selected architect for the Charlotte project, then yes, I have a problem with it. I assumed they were using the same designer, because the story didn’t address it. This is why I said “Unless one designer [or maybe the city in this case] is stealing from another, it’s no big deal.” Now, the city might have had the firm sign off on some agreement that allowed them to use the images, even if that firm is not chosen. While that offers legal protection, it’s unecthical and disingenuous. Thanks for the clarification, Joe.
Alan