Inner City Press Bronx Report - January 11, 2006

  Yankees’ Proposal to Take Parkland Panned at City Planning Hearing

By Matthew Lee, for Inner City Press

             The proposed new Yankee Stadium, which would “alienate,” in its proponents’ archaic euphemism, over 15 acres of parkland, was debated for hours on January 11 at the NYC City Planning Commission. Seated in the front row was Yankees president Randy Levine, who only two weeks ago call the plan’s opponents “professional protesters” and “outsiders.” But speaker after speaker stated that they’ve lived in Highbridge for decades, and don’t want to lose their parks. The commissioners’ questions didn’t address this issue. One commissioner asked about how she can best drive home from the game. Another asked if the Yankees will work with the community to “find out” why asthma is so prevalent. “For that I’ll have to turn to Mister Levine,” was the response.

            Reference was made to Manhattan’s Central Park – would the City even consider giving up 15 acres there, or in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park? Two Yankee representatives referred to ideas proffered by the Bronx borough president, who has already given his approval. “Interesting, but we’re dubious,” the Yankee representative said of the Bronx B.P.’s proposal to make Macombs Dam Bridge one-way before and after Yankee games. The Yankees’ architect claimed to have listened to the community, but this was called into question by witnesses against. From three to five p.m., the few supporters included a teacher at Morris High School, who cited the Yankees’ financial support to his robot-building club, and a self-described blue collar worker who denounced “those people… illegal immigrants,” saying they send their low wages back to their countries. This witness also said that the Yankees don't pay their fair share to the City.

            The Department of City Planning posted a notice on its web site that despite the public hearing beginning at 10 a.m., testimony about the Yankee Stadium items would not begin before 11:30 a.m.. In fact it was the afternoon, and then into the evening, and many witnesses opposed to the project had to leave before their names were called. The chairwoman said that no decision will be made in the near term; a figure mentioned was sixty days. An observer of the public hearing might assume that the project will be voted down. But from the body language of the Yankee brass and consultants, they at least believe the fix is in – primarily because of quickly-taken votes in the City Council and Assembly in Albany.  The question remains, as asked at the hearing: would this even conceivably happen to parkland in Manhattan, or even Brooklyn or Queens? One wag said, as day turned into night: Bronx Bombers, indeed.

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