Showing posts with label MSL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MSL. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Bronx BP Welcomes MLS Stadium But Not On Parkland



Staffers prep the new Yankee Stadium for a soccer match. )Photo courtesy of The New York Yankees)

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - who as a NY State Assembly member voted to allow 25.3 acres of public parkland to be seized to accommodate the building of Yankee Stadium - said he would welcome a Major League Soccer stadium in the Bronx as long as it was not on parkland. 

 “I do not think that using public parkland is such a good idea,” said Diaz.

Last month the Bronx BP sent a letter to commissioner of Major League Soccer,  Don Garber, urging the league to consider the Bronx, and not Queens, as the home of its newest franchise, the New York City Football Club.

“As reports have made clear, your league’s plans to build a new soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows have stalled and may not be able to be revived. It would appear that there is little enthusiasm for world class soccer in Queens,” Borough President Diaz wrote. 

Bronx/Queens
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. may want a soccer stadium for the Bronx, but forget about sacrificing any parkland for it.
“I do not think that using public parkland is such a good idea,” said Diaz, who would still love to see an arena built in the borough for the NYC Football Club, a Major League Soccer franchise still vying for a home in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, according to the Bronx Times. 
But talks have stalled between Queens officials and NYCFC brass, with the BP and Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. lobbying to find a home for a stadium similar to the 13 acre, 25,000-seat arena proposed there.
BOEDC head Marlene Cintron said NYCFC is vetting space “with access to highways and also access to public transportation.”
But with 25% of the Bronx composed of greenspace, the BP has put himself in a position that narrows the already squeezed playing field.
Longtime Bronx-based commercial real estate broker Kathy Zamechansky said options are fairly limited in the borough for a stadium needing that much acreage, though she pointed to a possible site in the north Bronx.
“There’s a Request for Proposals out by the MTA for it’s unused bus facility on E. Gun Hill Road,” she said.
The site sits across from Co-op City, near the I-95 Interstate and less than a half mile from the subway. “I’m sure a developer could discuss having a stadium there as part of their plan,” she noted.
In ruling out parkland, the BP sidesteps a hurdle that former Borough President Adolfo Carrion faced when he secured land for the new Yankee Stadium in 2007. The plan tore up three acres of parks, angering advocates and Community Board 4, which voted down the proposal.
This time around, NYC Park Advocates president Geoffrey Croft backed the deal so long as Diaz keeps to his word. 
“That can be an exciting thing for the borough,” said Croft.
Getting The Ball Rolling
The BP penned a letter to MLS stating soccer matches temporarily held at Yankee Stadium can draw “tens of thousands of visitors.”
“While here, these soccer fans spent money in local businesses and restaurants,” wrote Diaz “Bringing tremendous economic activity to the 161st Street corridor.”
The New York Yankees is part owner of NYCFC, investing $100 million into the franchise.
But NYCFC is still keeping its options open. Queens park advocates groups are particularly concerned the $340 million project would uproot 13 acres of parkland at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
“NYCFC is looking for a home, not simply a place to play,” said NYCFC spokeswoman Risa Heller. She dismissed a claim by Diaz that NYCFC “walked away” from talks with Queens officials.
“As we said from the start, we will continue to pursue Flushing Meadows while we also review other sites around the city.”
For now, the team will keep hosting home games at Yankee Stadium until 2015, when it’s expected to have found a permanent place.
But even if the Bronx were to succeed in luring NYCFC to a House that Ruth (Re)Built, building the stadium is still years in the pipeline, with NYCFC forced to go back to the drawing board, redesigning a stadium envisioned primarily for Queens.

Read More:

Bronx Times - July 18, 2013  By David Cruz

 Bronx BP Pushes For MLS Stadium In Borough
A Walk In The Park - June 13, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Bloomberg Says Flushing Meadows Parkland Wanted For ML Soccer & Concert Stadium Is Replaceable


Passive recreation area in the park that would be destroyed in order to build replacement artificial turf fields under Major League Soccer's plan. The Mayor said it would be an "improvement." 

 The Mayor once again made comments on a park issue that he appeared not be particularly familiar with.  On Monday he told reporters the proposed 35,000 seat soccer and concert stadium would improve the area while also disparaging the current condition of that section of the park.  He also stated that lot of people wanted a stadium in the Flushing Meadows Corona Park without indicating who.

 Queens

Countering an increasing chorus of criticism, Mayor Michael Bloomberg today defended his administration's plan for a Major League Soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, pointing out that the league intends to build a new park to make up for the space it plans to occupy in the existing one, according to Capital NY. 

Critics, including, most recently, the city's main parks advocacy group, have argued that the parkland in question is irreplaceable to the surrounding communities, many of them poor.

"It's not irreplaceable," said the mayor today, during an event in Gowanus. "In fact, there's…Flushing Airport, which is gonna be turned into a park. So the total parkland will be the same."  

Flushing Airport is a 70-acre decommissioned airfield in College Point, next to the Whitestone Expressway. 

"Nature has thrived on the site since the airport’s closing," reported the Times in 2009. "Proposals have been floated to use it for a heliport, a warehouse, batting cages, driving ranges, even a blimp port, echoing the site’s use as a docking station for Goodyear blimps in the 1960s and ’70s. None of the ideas amounted to anything, and the property remained closed."  

According to precedent, Major League Soccer would replace whatever parkland it displaces to build a new arena. 

The league has been scouring the borough for replacement parkland, and the old airport, which used to be the city's largest, has been mentioned before as a possible site, but never confirmed.

"M.L.S. continues to work closely with the City to bring professional soccer to New York City; however, there is no deal yet and therefore we can't comment on any specifics," said the league's spokeswoman, Risa Heller, in a statement. 

But Will Sweeney, a spokesman for the Fairness Coalition of Queens, which opposes the stadium, said the Flushing Airport site raised several red flags. 

"It's only accessible by car, and a supermajority of the users of Flushing Meadows Corona Park walk there," said Sweeney. "It has chronic flooding problems, which is why they closed the airport. ... And to take land that is readily accessible to people of color and to replace it in a white community, we think it's an environmental justice issue." 

The mayor today argued that the Flushing Meadows Corona Park parcel that would be used for the stadium is not particularly good parkland, anyway. 

"Keep in mind, that that end of the park has seen its better days," said the mayor today, referring to the under-maintained, yet heavily used Flushing Meadows Corona Park. 

"There's not a lot of money to fix it. This will improve that area. The new parkland will be great parkland. And there's a lot of things that people want, to enjoy life and recreation. Some is organized things in stadiums, like soccer, which has become very popular as our immigrant community has become larger here." 

The mayor also pointed out that his administration has, "created an enormous amount of new parkland all along the waterfront, Brooklyn, and the west side, and now the Lower East Side. There's new parks in every borough. You're gonna have the biggest new park in a century at Fresh Kills. There's new parkland up in the Bronx. Every borough is getting new parkland. So total, on balance, there's an enormous aount of new parkland. But, it's not the only thing people need. A lot of people want a stadium to enjoy soccer."
Fountain of the Planets. Families enjoying the area where Major League Soccer hopes to build a controversial $ 300 million, 35,000-seat soccer stadium/concert venue  in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park located on the Flushing River. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) 

Read More:

Capital NY - May 13, 2013 - By Dana Rubinstein 

Queens Crap - May 8, 2013 

Queens Crap - March 15, 2013  

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Friday, December 14, 2012

Markowitz - Bring ML Soccer Stadium To Brooklyn


Queens/Brooklyn
He stole the Nets from New Jersey and the Islanders from Long Island — and now he’s after the new soccer franchise trying to set up shop in Queens.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz wants Major League Soccer to drop its plan to build a pro-soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows Park, and instead field a team in the “greener pastures” of his borough, according to the New York Post. 
The Beep says no place on earth can compete with the cachet of the Brooklyn brand — and claims the Borough of Kings is filled with more soccer-starved fans than its neighbor to the east.
“I know Queens is pushing for a stadium, but I believe pro soccer belongs here in Brooklyn,” Markowitz said following a ceremony marking the opening of three new sports fields in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
“Soccer is the Number 1 sport in the world, so why shouldn’t we have a team here in Brooklyn?”
He suggested East New York or Brownsville, saying both struggling neighborhoods could use the economic boost and have the empty land and transportation access needed. He also mentioned East Williamsburg and Bushwick.
Queens Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., called it a declaration of war.
“Brooklyn is already in the process of stealing our . . . Civic Virtue statue and moving it to Green-Wood Cemetery, so what’s next, the Mets?” he fired back. “I better go and lock up the Unisphere.”
Vallone has yet to take a position on whether Flushing Meadows is the best place in Queens for a 25,000-seat soccer stadium, saying he has concerns about the use of existing parkland.
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall had similar reservations about parkland, but wants the stadium for her borough.
Mayor Bloomberg supports Queens, although the plan faces opposition from park advocates and some civic organizations in the borough.
Asked about the league’s new suitor, MLS spokeswoman Risa Heller said it’s “100 percent focused on bringing pro soccer to Queens.”
New York Red Bulls GM Jérôme de Bontin, a former resident of Brooklyn Heights, said that while he “isn’t qualified to speak for the league,” he thinks a Brooklyn pro soccer team “could do well.” The Red Bulls play in Harrison, NJ.
Markowitz’s plan was well received by one of his biggest critics, Geoffrey Croft of New York City Park Advocates.
“Markowitz’s idea makes more sense than taking parkland at the expense of one of Queens’ heaviest-used parks,” he said.

Read More:

Brooklyn’s boot-iful! Marty’s goal to beat Qns. for soccer club
New York Post -  December 14, 2012 - By Rich Calder

 Opposition To Flushing Meadows Park Land Grab Takes To The Streets
A Walk In The Park - December 10, 2012 - By Geoffrey Croft 
A Walk In the Park - December 10, 2012
December 8, 2012

December 8, 2012

A Walk In the Park - December 5, 2012

A Walk In the Park - December 3, 2012

A Walk In the Park - November 30, 2012

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Under Siege
New York Daily News - October 22, 2012 - By Geoffrey Croft



A Walk In The Park - October 10, 2012 


A Walk In The Park - October 9, 2012

A Walk In The Park - October 9, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 6, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 5, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 4, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 2,  2012 

A Walk In The Park - September 15, 2012 -  By Geoffrey Croft 


A Walk In The Park - June 23, 2012



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Monday, December 10, 2012

Opposition To Flushing Meadows Park Land Grab Takes To The Streets





























Community members were joined yesterday by a collection of civic groups and local elected officials in a Take Back Our Park March in Corona Queens.  (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge

Bloomberg, entiende! El parque no se vende!

 Queens

 By Geoffrey Croft

Rain didn't stop hundreds of people from taking to the streets around Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on Sunday to "express outrage about an unprecedented land grab for public parkland."

The crowd chanted "Bloomberg, entiende! El parque no se vende!" ("Bloomberg, understand, the park is not for sale") and "Bloomberg, escucha! Estamos en la lucha!"("Bloomberg, listen, the people are ready to fight!")  as it marched through the immigrant neighborhood of Corona and headed to the park along Roosevelt Avenue under tracks of the 7 train. 


The large crowd make its way along Roosevelt Avenue under the elevated tracks of the number 7 train. 


The group passed the sites of a proposed 1.4 million sq. ft. mall at CitiField and the proposed expansion of the U.S. Tennis Association's facilities before ending at the Fountain of Planets, where Major League Soccer is heavily lobbying to build a new stadium and concert venue on 13 acres.

The community is demanding they find alternate locations.

Participants held signs saying, "Put Soccer Stadium In Central Park", and "No Soccer Stadium inside the Park!" and "PARK NOT FOR $ALE," SAVE OUR PARK! NO LAND- GRABS," and "SAVE OUR PARK! NO TO SOCCER STADIUM,"  and "ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER."  

The demonstration, called Take Back Our Park March made clear once again that this community vehemently opposes all three proposals, which would take more than 50 acres of public parkland in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. But the Bloomberg administration supports the giveaway to private corporations.

Community members were joined yesterday by a collection of civic groups and local elected officials, including City Council Member Julissa Ferreras and State Senator Tony Avella.

The rally began on the steps of Our Lady of Sorrows Church under a light drizzle. 

"We have to tell the Mayor to stay off our grass," said the pastor, Monsignor Thomas Healy.

The church, part of the Queens Congregation United For Acton, had hosted a well-attended town hall forum in September.


State Senator Tony Avella, Monsignor Thomas Healy, City Council Member Julissa Ferreras on the steps of Our Lady of Sorrows Church.  "What would happen if MLS wanted to put the stadium in Central Park," Mr. Avella asked.   


"We cannot make any deals behind closed doors," said City Council Member Julissa Ferreras, who addressed the crowd in both Spanish and English. 

"We cannot have such an important part of our community — the lungs of our community — be negotiated in City Hall.

"We must bring the people to the table," she said to loud cheers, before ridiculing Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber's recent claim that the project was already "at the finish line."

"I cannot be supportive of a project that says it is 'at the finish line' when we are only at the beginning," Ferreras said. "This is our park, and the future of our park must reflect our needs and interests."

State Senator Tony Avella held up a sign that read, "Put Soccer Stadium in Central Park."

"I think this sign says a lot," he said. 

"What would happen if MLS wanted to put the stadium in Central Park. Do you think that would happen? Do you think there would even be a discussion about that?" 

The audience replied, "Noooo."

"But because its next to Latino communities, communities of color, low-income working family communities, the city and MLS think they can get away with this," he said.

"You're here, I'm here to say no! Parkland is sacred."

Avella went on to mention the two other Bloomberg-backed proposals that would take parkland — the USTA expansion and the enormous Willets Point mall. 

The mall, he said, "would take jobs away from this very community."
“The Tennis Association wants to expand and take away more park land,” he said. 
 

“You’ve got Willets Point development, in which the parking will probably be on park land. Why can’t they buy some private land?”

"It's your park and, as Julissa said, you need to have a voice in what happens. . . . You should be the first word and the last word.

“Parkland is sacred." 



The group passed the parking lot of the proposed 1.4 million sq. ft. mall at CitiField (above) and stopped near the planned expansion of the U.S. Tennis Association site. (below).

Critics say the plans are a threat not only to precious Queens parkland but to the local community and nearby neighborhoods: The projects would increase traffic, pollution, garbage, and flooding, and they would tax an already overcrowded mass transit system and hurt small businesses as well as property values.

Community groups at the march included ALIGN, Asian Americans For Equality, Jackson Heights Green Alliance,  Jackson Heights Beautification Group, Make the Road New York,  New Immigrant Community Empowerment,  Queens Community House,  Queens Congregations United for Action, Queens Pride House, St. Michael's World Apostolate, and Flushing Civic Association. 


A MLS representative (above) tagged along and monitored the event, taking photos and sending text messages.


Elmhurst resident Luis Gonzalez, 33, said he's been playing in the park for eleven years. 

"I play soccer in the park. Our community loves soccer. But that doesn't mean we want a soccer stadium right in the middle of the park." 

He said he would not support any type of construction or development even if they promised jobs. He said he did support the building of a new soccer stadium, but not in a public park.

"There is nothing that compares to the happiness and health that comes from being in Flushing Meadows Park. Why does it have to built in our park, in our public space for private interests?" he asked in spanish which was translated by Hilary Klein, lead organizer for Make the Road New York, a sponsor of the march.  

"Our neighborhoods are vibrant, but also crowded and offer very little open and green space. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the only place we have for sports, recreation and spending time with family and friends outdoors. If we put a soccer stadium right here, all that will change. Flushing Meadows Park is our backyard. The park must be preserved for generation to come,"

The crowed held up signs, cheered, and chanted one last time.

"Today was a fantastic counterpoint to MLS's totally contrived, so-called Town Hall on Tuesday night," said Donovan Finn,  a professor of Environmental Planning at SUNY Stony Brook and a Queens resident.

"In direct contrast to their manufactured pep rally, today the Fairness Coalition organized hundreds of Queens residents to march almost 2 miles in the cold rain to say, loudly and powerfully that our park is not for sale to the highest bidder. Not for a mall, not for more stadiums, not for parking garages. Our parkland must be protected."


Daniel Estevez, 7, and his sister Clarissa, 5 made their voices heard. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge

 Read More:
DNAinfo  - December 10, 2012 -  By Paul DeBenedetto 

WPIX - December 10,  2012

El Diario - December 10, 2012 -  POR: Gustavo Martínez Contreras/EDLP  
A Walk In the Park - December 10, 2012

December 8, 2012

December 8, 2012

A Walk In the Park - December 5, 2012

A Walk In the Park - December 3, 2012

A Walk In the Park - November 30, 2012
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Under Siege
New York Daily News - October 22, 2012 - By Geoffrey Croft




A Walk In The Park - October 10, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 9, 2012

A Walk In The Park - October 9, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 6, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 5, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 4, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 2,  2012 

A Walk In The Park - September 15, 2012 -  By Geoffrey Croft 


A Walk In The Park - June 23, 2012





















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