Citi Field, QUEENS, NY

High Density Wireless Network Installation

CLIENT OBJECTIVES

In preparation for the 2013 MLB All Star Game, Verizon and Cisco, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, designed a high-density wireless network to suit the needs of fans and stadium employees. The system has the capability to service thousands of users on a single and secure wireless network and enables the venue to provide stadium - specific applications for fans, as well as back office applications for ticketing, point of sale, and stadium operations.

VALUE DELIVERED

Due to the New York Mets busy home schedule, Forest Electric had to be extremely flexible with regard to the times when it performed work. The project required the use of two shifts—day and night—while the Mets were on the road. When the team returned for home games, Forest Electric deployed manpower from early morning until late afternoon, ceasing work during the game, and commencing work again upon its conclusion. The result was successful despite an aggressive project schedule and various challenges.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Forest Electric provided the labor and materials required to install a high-density wireless infrastructure for Citi Field. The scope of work included the build-out of a Wi-Fi head-end room, which feeds fiber to 26 IDF closets in the stadium. This fiber is required to support 486 wireless access points. The access points are spread throughout the stadium to ensure that each and every spectator in the venue can enjoy the ultimate fan experience over a secure network.

SOLUTIONS

Work performed included the following:

• Installation of 26,000 feet of fiber optic cable from the head-end room to 26 IDF closets
• Installation of over 100,000 feet of category 6 cabling from the IDF closets to antennas installed in rigid conduit throughout the stadium
• Engineering required to install a custom scaffold that utilized the existing stadium structure as a trolley in order to access antenna locations that mount on the roof extension of the upper deck.

BACKGROUND

Citi Field is a stadium located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in the New York City borough of Queens. Completed in 2009, it is the home baseball park of Major League Baseball’s New York Mets. Citi Field was built as a replacement for the adjacent Shea Stadium, which opened in 1964. With the stated objective to feature unprecedented amenities and comfort for Mets fans, sports fans, and visitors to the New York metropolitan area, the added security and communication improvements make this destination even more exclusive.

OPERATING COMPANY:
Forest Electric NY

CLIENT:
Verizon Wireless/Cisco

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
General Datatech, L.P.

PROJECT DURATION:
April 2013 - June 2014

CONTRACT AMOUNT:
$2,209,000

		Design/Build
		Bid Build
		New Construction
		Retrofit/Renovation
		Electrical Construction
		Mechanical Construction
		Facilities Services
		Consulting Services