YANKEES To Announce Plans For New $800 Million Stadium In The Bronx

(From Newsday)

NEW YORK Mayor MICHAEL BLOOMBERG and YANKEES Owner GEORGE STEINBRENNER will unveil plans today for a new $800 million open-air ballpark in MACOMBS DAM PARK across from YANKEE STADIUM "that will replicate the team's original ballpark," according to CHARLES BAGLI of THE NEW YORK TIMES.

The new ballpark, to be designed by HOK SPORT, will have 51,800 seats, less than the 56,937 seats in YANKEE STADIUM, but "could be expanded to 54,000." The number of luxury boxes will increase from the current 18 to 50-60.

The ballpark is part of Bronx Borough President ADOLFO CARRION JR.'s redevelopment plan for the area "that includes a hotel, conference center and high school for sports-related careers."

On Long Island, STEVE ZIPAY reports sketches of the new ballpark by HOK SPORT show a "concrete and limestone exterior that evokes the entrances and the original design." Inside that wall "would be a hall of retail shops and concourses that separate the exterior wall from the seating area."

THE NEW YORK TIMES' BAGLI reports that the YANKEES have agreed to pay all construction, operating and maintenance costs for the stadium." The city of New York and state of New York "will spend an estimated $220 million on work related to the stadium, bringing the total cost to more than" $1 billion.

The team will not be required to pay rent or property taxes on the city-owned land upon which the ballpark will be built.

Also in New York, T.J. QUINN reports the city and state "will contribute about $300 million for infrastructure and improvements outside the stadium." The state will also provide $75 million "for improved and additional parking, but it will operate the lots and keep the revenue."