One year before its grand opening, Great American Ball Park is still a muddy construction site. But some of the shapes and colors of the finished product are shining through.

A welder works from the basket of an aerial lift Wednesday on the view level of Great American Ball Park under construction east of Cinergy Field. (Glenn Hartong photos) | ZOOM |

        Huge blocks of precast concrete, cut and finished to look like sandstone, are in place on the exterior of the Reds' administration building, which is connected to the ballpark's superstructure with steel beams.

        The steel superstructure is getting a white paint job at the stadium's front door, an area called Crosley Terrace. And huge light racks, which will be mounted on the white light towers, are being assembled on the playing field.

        Cranes will begin mounting the light racks on the towers in April, while installation of the roof — a 45-foot-wide painted metal deck called a canopy — starts in about two weeks.

        Rain has slowed construction with the steel and the stadium's outer skin, but the mild winter gave managers a little breathing room.

        When asked how his crew was dealing with the rain, Hunt Construction Group's project executive Tyrone Heinmiller said: “We're cussin' a lot.”

        Project manager Arnie Rosenberg said the project is still on time and on budget. The ballpark is “rounding second and headed for third,” he said.

        Crews also have started putting the brick facade on the outside of the Reds administration building.

        Other milestones:

        • Most utilities are completed.

        • The scoreboard framework is complete. Electrical conduits will be installed beginning in April.

        • The building in center field meant to provide a solid backdrop for hitters has taken shape with the floor and the back wall in place.
       

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