Opening day for the new Yankee Stadium is not too far away now; while for eager fans, it may seem like an eternity, Spring 2009 will soon be upon us and fans will be able to see and experience the latest chapter in Yankees history for themselves. While there are some who are of the opinion that with the old stadium an important piece of New York history will be lost; and indeed Yankee Stadium has seen a lot of changes in the South Bronx in the last 86 years, the new stadium promises to be something which fans new and old alike will enjoy. The new $1.3 billion Yankee Stadium will be a worthy addition to the Yankees and to the up and coming South Bronx.
The idea of moving the stadium is not a new one - in 1980, the owner wanted to move the stadium to an area considered safer than the South Bronx was at the time. Ideas were talked over and discarded over the following years; in the meantime, the team acquired a legion of new fans and the neighborhood improved considerably. The idea of a new stadium remained - but it was now to be built 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. - 16887
The idea of moving the stadium is not a new one - in 1980, the owner wanted to move the stadium to an area considered safer than the South Bronx was at the time. Ideas were talked over and discarded over the following years; in the meantime, the team acquired a legion of new fans and the neighborhood improved considerably. The idea of a new stadium remained - but it was now to be built 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. - 16887
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