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By Kitty Luo and Jessica Flores
It's been 40 years since the Dodgers last hosted a Major League Baseball All Star Game, but the Midsummer Classic is returning to L.A. -- in a revamped Dodger Stadium.
On Tuesday, the Dodgers announced a $100 million renovation plan and revealed a logo for the 2020 All Star Game.
"This is Dodger Stadium, where we not only mark history -- we make history," Mayor Eric Garcetti at a press conference. "And today is a day for us to write our chapter."
Garcetti said he expected the renovation and game to generate $90 million in economic activity and employ more than 40,000 people.
Also at the press conference Tuesday was Vin Scully, the beloved and longtime sportscaster, who called the Dodgers' return to hosting the All Star Game "long overdue."
WHAT'S THE PLAY?
Dodger Stadium, MLB's third oldest ballpark, will soon feature a new, two-acre center field plaza. It will hold a new beer garden, two sports bars, new food vendors, a space for live music and a children's play area.
Any ticketed visitor can visit the plaza -- elevators and escalators in right- and left-field will ensure access for everyone, regardless of seat location. Additional elevators and bridges will connect all outfield pavilions to the rest of the stadium.
Part of the renovation plan also includes a new sound system for center field, new bathrooms for the left- and right-field pavilions, enclosed bars with bullpen views, and enhanced seating for people with disabilities.
Also, for the first time ever, fans will be able to travel around the ballpark's entire perimeter -- a connected walkway will surround the stadium.
During the revamp, the Jackie Robinson statue will be relocated from the left field reserve plaza to greet visitors at the center field plaza's entrance. Plaques of Dodgers legends will be displayed alongside the statue.
The stadium's capacity will remain the same at 56,000 people, but fans will have more locations to watch the game, including standing positions around the stadium and watching stations above center field. Classic wooden benches from 1962 will remain.
The renovations are expected to be completed before the start of next season and just in time for the ballpark to shine at the 2020 MLB All Star Game.
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