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.
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.
The largest hurdle faced by the Yankees organization in building a new stadium was finances. Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was in favor of the city supporting new stadiums for both the Yankees and Mets with $800 million in construction funds and a $390 million investment in improved public transportation. The Mets would also receive $80,000 in the form of debt forgiveness and along with the Yankees, would receive $25 million in funds for planning and logistics. Giuliani's plan also included a waiver on sales and property taxes for both teams, as well as low cost, state subsidized electricity. Both teams would also receive 96% of ticket sales and 100% of parking fees for the new stadiums and other revenues.
However, current Mayor Michael Bloomberg opted to use the escape clause in these contracts upon taking office. However, the Giuliani administration had allowed a clause in the contract permitting the teams to leave the city should the escape clause be used by the city. Thankfully for New York baseball fans, the city and the teams were able to come to an agreement and planning for the new stadiums in the Bronx and Queens continued.
The new Yankee Stadium has been designed carefully to be reminiscent of the current stadium. Indiana limestone will encompass the entire structure, just as was the case until the original stadium was renovated in 1974. The copper frieze which was present on the original stadium has also been replicated, but the interior features many new amenities for Yankees fans, including two new restaurants which will be open year round.
Whether you are a fan of the new Yankee Stadium or fear that a vital piece of Bronx history will be lost, it can be agreed upon that the new home of the Yankees will be one which preserves the character of the old while offering the comfort of the new. The construction of the first Yankee Stadium was a risk taken by the team; one which paid off for the team and the city - and it looks like history just might repeat itself in the Bronx next spring. - 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.
The largest hurdle faced by the Yankees organization in building a new stadium was finances. Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was in favor of the city supporting new stadiums for both the Yankees and Mets with $800 million in construction funds and a $390 million investment in improved public transportation. The Mets would also receive $80,000 in the form of debt forgiveness and along with the Yankees, would receive $25 million in funds for planning and logistics. Giuliani's plan also included a waiver on sales and property taxes for both teams, as well as low cost, state subsidized electricity. Both teams would also receive 96% of ticket sales and 100% of parking fees for the new stadiums and other revenues.
However, current Mayor Michael Bloomberg opted to use the escape clause in these contracts upon taking office. However, the Giuliani administration had allowed a clause in the contract permitting the teams to leave the city should the escape clause be used by the city. Thankfully for New York baseball fans, the city and the teams were able to come to an agreement and planning for the new stadiums in the Bronx and Queens continued.
The new Yankee Stadium has been designed carefully to be reminiscent of the current stadium. Indiana limestone will encompass the entire structure, just as was the case until the original stadium was renovated in 1974. The copper frieze which was present on the original stadium has also been replicated, but the interior features many new amenities for Yankees fans, including two new restaurants which will be open year round.
Whether you are a fan of the new Yankee Stadium or fear that a vital piece of Bronx history will be lost, it can be agreed upon that the new home of the Yankees will be one which preserves the character of the old while offering the comfort of the new. The construction of the first Yankee Stadium was a risk taken by the team; one which paid off for the team and the city - and it looks like history just might repeat itself in the Bronx next spring. - 16887
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