There certainly has been a lot of squawking of late when it comes to stadiums and the like in the metro New York area, with plans, proposals and debates on all fronts. Not like we’re the only area that goes through these kind of fights, (just read about the other schemes here,) but with such a densely populated area and so many different mindsets, we do enjoy a particularly turbulent roost to build your nest in. Let’s go through the proposals proposal by proposal:
Manhattan – Jets & 2012 Olympics
The one getting the most press at the moment is the proposed West Side Stadium (more here) over the LIRR yards. This is the crown jewel in the grand plans to land the 2012 Olympic Games, and the more long term west side redevelopment plans. The stadium itself faces lots of stiff obstacles but there are some in the current Bloomberg administration who are trying to fast track this facility through the review process all while keeping as much of it behind closed doors as possible.
As much as the sports nut in me loves new stadiums, I’ve come to the conclusion that having one in Manhattan — and especially in midtown — makes far too little sense. The separate yet attached plans to expand the Javits Convention Center make much more sense. As for the other proposed west side plans, I’m taking a more wait and see approach.
I’m more torn about the Olympic bid itself. Having the games in my back yard would be a great experience, but the more I think about all the added grief that would add before, during and after the less I want New York to win the bid. There are others who share that outlook as well (more here).
Brooklyn – Nets
Brooklyn has a fight of its own as well, with the Nets proposing an arena built on top of more LIRR yards along with sky-scraping office buildings and other facilities. Of course, to get this all done as the developers have the plans envisioned there will be buildings razed and neighborhoods changes. Too bad for them these are actually thriving neighborhoods, which of course is leading to protests against it. Still, the powers that be in government might use eminent domain to take the land by force. Having a sports team in Brooklyn again would be good, but it should not be done at the cost of community.
Newark – Devils
The Devils have been trying to get out of the Continental Airlines Arena since the mid ’90s. They had a plan in place some five years ago to build a new facility over the Hoboken rail yards, which was eventually defeated. These days the discussions are all about a move to Newark.
If the NHL ever starts playing again I could see this having one of the better chances of happening. Newark could use the positive exposure and redevelopment. Of course, this is North Jersey we’re talking about so I expect nothing to go smoothly. For an example you can look right across the Passaic river.
Harrison – Metrostars
Out of all the plans, I’m rooting the most for this one. Not that I’m a big soccer fan, but the area they want to move to has a great base for their sport. On top of that, the plan would take an empty industrial wasteland and turn it into something much better. Along with the soccer stadium there are major residential and business plans lined up to improve the area.
But with the Devils thinking of throwing roots down across the river, things might get sticky. Already some of the bills are back in committee so whatever time table they originally had has now been altered. Let’s hope that it’s only a delay and not a death march.
Bronx & Queens – Yankees and Mets
Now what would a stadium discussion be without the Yankees and Mets trying to get new ballparks? While they don’t have those generous offers that Giuliani gifted them anymore, there has been some real movement in the last few months.
The Yankees have plans to build a new park across the street (more here), which is more or less a good thing. Keeping them in the Bronx is good for the borough in the long run. Of course, that leaves the debate open on what to do with the old stadium. Ideas vary from making it a parking lot to turning it into a combination hotel, community ball field and hall of fame. Guess which plan I’m more in favor of?
As for the Mets, they’ve had their plans in place for quite some time, but the money has never quite been in place. Or maybe the stars were out of alignment. Whatever the reason, I foresee the new Mets park being built only after the Yankee situation gets hashed out. In fact, the Mets might have the Yankees to thank if the ball really gets rolling this time.
Meadowlands – Giants
The Giants are in a particularly strange situation, since they had already agreed to a renovation plan in 2003. Now with a change in state administrations and the flux the Meadowlands itself is in, they seem to have moved up in the want list and have their eyes on a brand new facility. The plus side in all of this is that the new governor wants them to have it. So long as the tax payers expenses are kept out of the equation (or are at least marginalized), I think this is pretty much a win-win situation.
But just as much as a new facility helps the club, a new mass transit link is much more important to the long-term health of the Meadowlands as a whole. Once again plans were approved under the last administration, which should make quite a few people happy as long as they haven’t been derailed since then.
Staten Island – NASCAR Race Track
And finally, Staten Island wants to throw in to this madness by trying to land themselves a NASCAR-level race track. I could see this happening, as the sport only continues to get more popular. Still I can’t see the fascination with it and their plans touch a sore spot with environmentalists who are trying to keep the already ecologically damaged borough intact.
Wow. That sure is a lot of activity. And we won’t know how it all turns out for a while yet — months in some cases, years in others. Let’s do a recap in a year from now to see how things have progressed, shall we? Until then, what do you all think of the situations? Pick one or rundown the whole list.
