NEW YORK (AP) - Plans for a new ballpark for the New York Yankees moved forward
Wednesday when the City Council approved several key aspects of the planned $800
million stadium.
The 45-2 vote cleared the way for some of the team's land-use plans, including a
takeover of two public parks as a site for the 53,000-seat stadium, which would
be built adjacent to the current ballpark in the Bronx.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn, a vocal opponent of the New York Jets' plan to
build a stadium in her district on Manhattan's west side, said the Yankees' plan
is a good one by comparison because it includes new parkland and a new commuter
train station.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion back the ball
park, which has been approved by the city's planning commission.
Stadium critics were displeased with the loss of the parks, saying the plan to r
eplace the lost acreage with new green space elsewhere was inadequate.
Some also have attacked the idea of taxpayer funding for the richest team in bas
eball. The city and state have committed to spending $215 million, but opponents
have said they believe the public's share of the project could climb to $400 mi
llion.
That issue will be the subject of Monday discussions by the council's finance co
mmittee, which is considering whether to help finance the stadium by issuing tax
-exempt bonds. The Yankees have promised a variety of amenities to the Bronx, in
cluding thousands of free tickets for community groups.
Bloomberg said new recreational facilities "will include a running track and soc
cer field, little league and softball fields, tennis courts, handball courts and
a basketball court with bleachers.''
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 210.64.154.132