http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#4429 Danny Meyer of the Union Square Hospitality Corp has just signed on to provide concessions to the new Mets Stadium, Citi Field. New vendors will include local favorites Shake Shack and Blue Smoke. Meyer will also be taking the lead on the Sterling Club at the ballpark and it is hoped that these amenities will add to the overall enjoyment level for the venue. 2008-07-09 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#4416 At an Assembly hearing on public financing of stadiums, it was announced that the Mets are asking for an additional $52 million in city issued tax-exempt bonds for construction of their new stadium. With the current funding scheme, the Mets will profit $140 million over the next 40 years and the Yankees, $137 million over 30 years, according to the Independent Budget Office (IBO). 2008-07-03 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#4407 Many major construction projects in the City have now been put on hold due to a cement truck driver's strike. Negotiations were unsuccessful yesterday, causing the union to strike which halted construction on projects already facing delays and budget issues. Continued negotiations are not expected to occur again until after the holiday weekend at the earliest. 2008-07-02 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#4411 The New York State Assembly held a hearing on Wednesday to debate the merits and concerns with public financing of stadiums, specifically the new stadiums for the Mets and the Yankees. The hearing was timely, as the Yankees have asked for $360 million more in tax free bonds issued by the City. The City has already issued the team $920 million in tax-exempt bonds. The Yankees will need the IRS to waive certain regulations in order for them to use the additional financing 2008-07-02 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#4339 A 2006 ruling by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that restricts the use of tax-exempt bonds for profitable organizations could prevent the completion of three major projects all dependent on tax-exempt bond financing: new stadiums for the Yankee and Mets teams as well as the Barclays Center basketball stadium at Atlantic Yards. City officials, representatives from the Empire State Development Corporation, and developers are petitioning the Treasury Department to reverse the rule change or issue exemptions for projects begun before 2006. The proposed rule change, if agreed to, would bear on tax-exempt bonds issued after February 2007. 2008-06-13 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#4179 Construction at the Mets’ new Citi Field and the new Yankee Stadium has reduced game parking for both teams by about 2,000 spots each. Once the stadium projects are completed, parking for both stadiums will be increased, to 8,500 for the Mets and 9,000 for the Yankees. There are also plans for a new Metro North station at Yankees Stadium, serving the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines. 2008-05-03 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#3930 The Mets announced their plans for an environmentally friendly Citi Field Stadium last week at the Diamond Club at Shea Stadium. They have worked with the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a set of environmental initiatives for the park, including using recycled construction materials, and installing a green roof, power-saving lights, low-flush toilets, and developing a major recycling program, among other things. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was present at the announcement and commended the Mets on their environmental initiatives, noting the contribution to the goals of his PlaNYC strategic plan. 2008-03-20 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#3950 The Mets’ new stadium, Citi Field, will incorporate some of the latest environmentally friendly technology in its construction and operations. Some of the “highlights” include a green roof to decrease energy usage and run-off, use of recycled steel in construction, construction of bio-swales and permeable pavement to reduce storm water run-off, use of coal combustion products in their concrete to reduce energy, landfill space and CO2, use of Energy Star products to reduce energy consumption, and use of low-sulfer diesel in construction vehicles to reduce air emissions. 2008-03-14 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#3906 Executives from the New York Mets announced that “green” design strategies will be part of their new baseball stadium. The stadium will have a green roof constructed from recycled steel, efficient lighting on the field, and “low-flow” plumbing. 2008-03-13 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#3029 The New York Mets broke ground on their new $800 million, 45,000 seat stadium back in November and have been steadfastly on schedule ever since. Currently, duct work, piping, sprinklers, and electric work have been completed and the exterior building is close to complete. Mets employees are expected to house the Citifield offices in September 2008, while the first game in the stadium is not planned until April 2009. The Mets existing home stadium is scheduled to be deconstructed and will serve as a parking lot shortly after their last game. 2007-09-20 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#2681 Some Mets fans are reacting negatively to what they perceive is unnecessarily slow subway service on the 7 train from Shea Stadium in Queens. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) does not run express service on the 7 train before or after the Mets play. Adding to congestion around Shea is construction on Citi Field, the Mets' new stadium. 2007-06-01 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#2394 Construction of the new Mets stadium, Citi Field, is likely to lead to some confusion and inconvenience for current fans. With over 2,000 parking spots eliminated in order to build the new field, drivers will be shuffled to alternative park lots up to a mile from the ballpark, and joined to the stadium by shuttle buses. The resulting traffic is expected to obstruct the surrounding neighborhood. Fans are being encouraged to use mass transit to get to games. 2007-04-08 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#1957 Mayor Bloomberg's proposed 2008 capital budget shows marked increases for city funding of the new sports stadiums to be built by the Mets and the Yankees, as well as the Nets. In particular, funding for the new Yankee Stadium has increased to $209 million from $160 million, and to $172 million from $92 million for the new Mets Stadium. The funding figures for the stadium projects in the proposed budget appear to be higher, $586 million, than the original estimate, $360 million, at the time of their announcements. 2007-01-30 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#1708 The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to offer naming rights to Citigroup, the company for whom the new Mets stadium is named, for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and subway stops that service the new field in Flushing. Giving naming rights to the LIRR’s Shea Stadium station and the Willets Point-Shea stadium stop on the No. 7 line is intended to generate revenue for the MTA. 2006-11-22 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=66#1676 Citigroup’s alliance with the Mets in the building of a new stadium strengthens the corporation’s connections with Queens where the Long Island City Citigroup tower is already a mighty presence. In addition to the Citi Park stadium, as the Mets new home will be called, the Mets and Citigroup will help create the Jackie Robinson Foundation Museum and Education Center in Long Island City. Some Queens activists and officials have been critical of the Mets for choosing corporate sponsorship over naming the new stadium after the baseball player that broke the color barrier when he became the first African American to play professional baseball. 2006-11-16 00:00:00