Eduardo Bandeira de Melo, former Flamengo president, questions the viability of the project at the Gasometro site, deeming the land insufficient for the vastness of the club’s fanbase.
The saga surrounding the construction of Flamengo‘s own stadium has gained a new chapter with statements from Eduardo Bandeira de Melo. Amidst the stalemate over the use of the Gasometro site, acquired for R$ 138.1 million in 2024, the former executive expressed skepticism about the location choice.
For him, the club is right to proceed with caution given the challenges posed by the site. Although Mais Querido (The Most Beloved) has owned the space for over two years, construction has yet to begin.
The current administration, led by Luiz Eduardo Baptista, recently indicated that the initial project faces barriers, putting it on stand by. Bandeira de Melo, who has always advocated for the Maracanã as the ideal home, endorses the pause as a necessary organizational reset.
Structural and Environmental Challenges
The former president was emphatic in pointing out that the site does not offer the necessary space to build an arena compatible with the dimension of the Nação Rubro-Negra (Red-and-Black Nation). According to him, the location is physically restricted, which would limit the comfort and seating capacity expected for a project of this magnitude.
In addition to territorial limitations, Bandeira de Melo listed technical obstacles that weigh against economic viability:
That land needs to undergo a decontamination process. For a long time, it was a coal gas factory dating back to the 19th century. Then it was transformed into a naphtha gas factory. The gas piping there has to be relocated; all of this is costly.
Traffic Impact and Responsibilities
Another point of concern raised by the former director is the complex access logistics. Situated in the Port region, between the exit of Avenida Brasil and the Rio-Niterói Bridge, the location would require heavy interventions in the road system.
The construction of overpasses, pedestrian bridges, and underpasses would be essential to prevent traffic collapse in the area. The crucial point, according to the former president, is that the tender imposes the financial burden of these infrastructure upgrades and soil decontamination on Flamengo.
This scenario reinforces the need for cautious financial planning for the club, which is now evaluating its next steps amidst political pressures and logistical challenges that define the future of the red-and-black stadium.
By Equipe M360
