New Yankee Stadium
Spring 2009 is just around the corner and Yankee fans will be able to visit the new Yankee Stadium. Of course, it will be a little while before fans warm to the new stadium - these are indeed some big shoes to fill. Yankee Stadium has seen a lot of history come and go in the South Bronx over its 86 years; but the new Yankee Stadium will replace something great with something even greater; the new $1.3 million stadium promises to be a worthy addition to the team and to the city of New York.
Moving the stadium has been an idea since 1980 when the owner wanted to move the stadium to a safer area. Over the years, the South Bronx had become a dangerous neighborhood. While considerations were discussed and discarded new interest came to the team and by the early 90's attendance and security were up. This did not stop thoughts of a new stadium however; it just determined that the new stadium could remain in the Bronx.
However, the cost of building a new stadium was a challenge. The team's hopes were raised when former Mayor Giuliani proposed city funding for new stadium construction for both of the city's baseball teams. Giuliani's plan included $800 million in construction funds, $390 million to be invested in improved transportation to the stadiums (via the MTA's B,D and 4 train lines to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and the 7 line to Queen's Shea Stadium). Both teams would also have received $25 million for planning and the Mets another $80,000 of debt forgiveness.
The plan also waived sales and property taxes on the teams, would have provided both stadiums with state subsidized low cost electricity and allowed the teams to keep 100% of parking and other revenue brought in by the stadiums, with the city receiving a mere 4% of the ticket sales. Things looked a little less rosy for New York's ball clubs when current Mayor Michael Bloomberg too office. Mayor Bloomberg decided to exercise the escape clause provided for in the contract - however, the contract also included a provision allowing the teams to leave the city should the escape clause be used! Happily, the city and the two teams came to a new agreement and planning for new Yankees and Mets stadiums kept moving along.
A lot of care has gone into the design of the new Yankee Stadium. Built of Indiana limestone which will circle the entire facility, the park will look quite a bit like the old stadium did prior to 1974 renovations. A replica of the copper frieze which was present on the former stadium will be featured. While the new park will look much like its predecessor on the outside, the interior will feature a number of new amenities for fans, including two new restaurants which will be open all year.
Whether or not you are in favor of the new Yankee Stadium, we can all agree that the new Yankee Stadium will pay a sincere homage to the original stadium and offer amenities which will make for a more comfortable day at the ballpark for fans. The original Yankee Stadium was something of a gamble - one which paid off; and history looks poised to repeat itself in the South Bronx. - 16928
Spring 2009 is just around the corner and Yankee fans will be able to visit the new Yankee Stadium. Of course, it will be a little while before fans warm to the new stadium - these are indeed some big shoes to fill. Yankee Stadium has seen a lot of history come and go in the South Bronx over its 86 years; but the new Yankee Stadium will replace something great with something even greater; the new $1.3 million stadium promises to be a worthy addition to the team and to the city of New York.
Moving the stadium has been an idea since 1980 when the owner wanted to move the stadium to a safer area. Over the years, the South Bronx had become a dangerous neighborhood. While considerations were discussed and discarded new interest came to the team and by the early 90's attendance and security were up. This did not stop thoughts of a new stadium however; it just determined that the new stadium could remain in the Bronx.
However, the cost of building a new stadium was a challenge. The team's hopes were raised when former Mayor Giuliani proposed city funding for new stadium construction for both of the city's baseball teams. Giuliani's plan included $800 million in construction funds, $390 million to be invested in improved transportation to the stadiums (via the MTA's B,D and 4 train lines to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and the 7 line to Queen's Shea Stadium). Both teams would also have received $25 million for planning and the Mets another $80,000 of debt forgiveness.
The plan also waived sales and property taxes on the teams, would have provided both stadiums with state subsidized low cost electricity and allowed the teams to keep 100% of parking and other revenue brought in by the stadiums, with the city receiving a mere 4% of the ticket sales. Things looked a little less rosy for New York's ball clubs when current Mayor Michael Bloomberg too office. Mayor Bloomberg decided to exercise the escape clause provided for in the contract - however, the contract also included a provision allowing the teams to leave the city should the escape clause be used! Happily, the city and the two teams came to a new agreement and planning for new Yankees and Mets stadiums kept moving along.
A lot of care has gone into the design of the new Yankee Stadium. Built of Indiana limestone which will circle the entire facility, the park will look quite a bit like the old stadium did prior to 1974 renovations. A replica of the copper frieze which was present on the former stadium will be featured. While the new park will look much like its predecessor on the outside, the interior will feature a number of new amenities for fans, including two new restaurants which will be open all year.
Whether or not you are in favor of the new Yankee Stadium, we can all agree that the new Yankee Stadium will pay a sincere homage to the original stadium and offer amenities which will make for a more comfortable day at the ballpark for fans. The original Yankee Stadium was something of a gamble - one which paid off; and history looks poised to repeat itself in the South Bronx. - 16928
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