New Yankee Stadium to open in 2009

[marlinfan]

It's back to the

future for Yanks

Bombers' new digs will look like scene from Ruth's heyday

By T.J. QUINN

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER 

From the outside, it'll be 1923 again.

Limestone walls rising like a fortress, standing sentinel in refurbished parkland. It's the view Babe Ruth had when he went to work in the house they built for him.

On the inside, a mix of modernity and antiquity has officials from City Hall, Albany and the Bronx gushing: the old frieze hanging from the roof like copper lace, bullpens back in the outfield where they used to be, but with open concourses (with six times the space for concession sales) and sight lines to the field from almost anywhere in the park.

This is the new Yankee Stadium, almost ready for prime time, all but signed, sealed and to be delivered by Opening Day 2009.

Lawyers for the city, state and the team are completing a "memorandum of understanding," sources told the Daily News, and an announcement is expected around May 1.

As of now, the new stadium is designed to seat 50,800, less than the current capacity of 57,478, but with 50 to 60 luxury suites.

It will be located just north of the existing stadium, between 161st and 164th Sts. and between Jerome and River Aves.

The stadium itself, funded entirely by the team, will run about $800 million, while the total project will cost about $1.1 billion with the city and the state providing the extra $300 million for a new Metro-North station, parkland along the now decrepit waterfront and better parking facilities around the stadium.

Yankee President Randy Levine and city and state officials would not comment directly about the plans or the pending agreement, but confirmed they are in the final stages.

"We're working very closely with the city and the state and trying to finalize our current plan," Levine said. "We expect to announce it in the near future, and we hope to break ground in 2006 and be ready to play in 2009."

Officials familiar with the plans gave The News an exclusive preview of the designs for the new park, which includes all the amenities of a state of the art shopping mall:

The stadium will be comprised of two separate structures: one, the exterior wall, constructed to replicate the original Yankee Stadium, built in 1923, and the other the interior stadium itself, rising over the top of the exterior. From the outside the structures will look like one building, almost identical in materials and design to the original stadium. There will be a "great hall" between the exterior wall and the interior structure, featuring five to six times more retail square footage than the current stadium.

The signature frieze, the lattice work that once rimmed the original stadium roof and was recreated in the outfield of the current stadium, will be added to the new stadium's roof. The frieze (commonly but incorrectly known as "the facade") was painted white during the 1960s, as it now appears above the outfield. But the new stadium will return to the original copper.

The city will provide $50 million worth of infrastructure for the new stadium. But the city and state, depending on the agreement, will build and control all 11,000 parking spaces in the area, a cash cow for taxpayers that one consultant told the Yankees was "too generous," a source said.

Perhaps best of all for the parties involved, there is no significant opposition to the project.

"We expect this project to be one that is supported by all," Levine said

Artist rendering of new park:

NEW PARK TO SIT WELL WITH YANK DEVOTEES

By BILL SANDERSON

April 16, 2005 -- The Yankees' plans for a new Bronx stadium will be a hit with fans who want a closer view of the action ? with an extra 10,000 seats to be built at field level.

The new Yankee Stadium will feature 30,000 seats at field level and 20,000 in the upper tiers, according to the latest architectural plans described to The Post.

That's the reverse of the current layout of 30,000 upper-level seats and 20,000 seats where the action is.

And traditionalists will appreciate that the new stadium's playing field is to be laid out like the old one's, with Monument Park in the same spot in left-center field.

A grand entryway is to be built behind home plate, and, like the rest of the new stadium, its exterior will have the same Gothic lines as the original ? only bolder.

Plus, a replica of the familiar Gothic, white-painted, copper fa*ade that ringed the original stadium is to again be built above the stands.

The team will pay for the $800 million stadium but expects the city or state government to replace the playing fields and tennis courts in Macombs Dam and Mullaly parks, at a cost of $60 million to $80 million.

The team also expects the government to build parking garages for 11,000 cars ? 4,000 more than can park in the existing garages. The government is to own the garages and keep all fees from them.

In addition, the Yankees want a new Metro-North train station ? something that's been discussed since the 1920s ? as well as a new ferry terminal and an extension of the 161st St. platform on the No. 4 subway line.

Those public-transportation improvements, however, are not vital, the team has said.

It will be a mistake for Yankees to leave current Yankee Stadium.

Too much history and traition will be lost.

Remodeling it would be a better alternative.

[jkrdevil]

It will be a mistake for Yankees to leave current Yankee Stadium.

Too much history and traition will be lost.

Remodeling it would be a better alternative.

But they have already remodeled once. I'm a Yankee Fan and I love Yankee Stadium but it is getting time for a new Stadium.

I like the proposal it keeps the history of the team and the old stadium. Based on the picture it looks like they will mix old Yankee Stadium with New Yankee Stadium. The deminsions will be that of the current, I doubt they will go back to the old stadium deminsions with Center field being 460 away and the Monuments in play.

[DEAD!]

It will be a mistake for Yankees to leave current Yankee Stadium.

Too much history and traition will be lost.

Remodeling it would be a better alternative.

If the memories are there, then the history and tradition will never be lost. I'll bet when they remodelled the stadium in the 70's there were those who opposed to it.

[WCFSwimCoach]

This is a horrible idea. We need to celebrate history and tradition, not build over it. I was even upset when Cleveland left the "mistake" and when Detroit left Tiger Stadium. We need to preserve stadiums of the past, Fenway, Yankee Stadium and Wrigley Field are the best stadiums in the game because of their history, traditon and character. Save the Stadiums, Save the History!

[The_Admiral]

You can't turn THE Yankee Stadium into a parking lot or whatever they propose. You just can't!

[TFoA]

You can't turn THE Yankee Stadium into a parking lot or whatever they propose. You just can't!

It'll probably be a museum or something. They're not gonna do the Yankees the same way that they did Fulton County.

[Dilbert]

Even Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field was turned into the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. Yankee Stadium should have something that will let you know of what was once in that spot. The Yankees are a smart organization and would never do anything stupid like turning it into a parking lot with lines painted in it marking where the field once was.

[jkrdevil]

The current Yankee Stadium will be turned into a Museum and a Soccer Field. Parts may be turned into a parking garage but the outside and famous parts will remain intact. Monument park will be moved to the new stadium.

[appleclock]

I say remodel (again). It worked for Lambeau and Soldier in the NFL.

[NJTank]

I think the old Yankee Stadium will have the diamond in place and used for little leagues or soemthing but I think the stands and the stadium will be gone.

[goalieboy82]

they should do what they are doing to the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and do a little section at a time.

[jkrdevil]

They just said on the YES Network that the current stadium will remain completly intact and will be used for the community.

[STL FANATIC]

I say remodel (again). It worked for Lambeau and Soldier in the NFL.

I hear it worked well for Lambeau, but from the outside, Soldier looks terrible.

[JQK]

If they move from the current foundation, the Yankees will never win another championship.

They can't do this. The ghosts will be lost. The Grand Cathedral of Baseball will be lost forever.

[jkrdevil]

If they move from the current foundation, the Yankees will never win another championship.

They can't do this. The ghosts will be lost. The Grand Cathedral of Baseball will be lost forever.

Why most of the history was distroyed when the remodeled the stadium in the 70's. The field is in a different place than it was, the monuments were moved, and the facade was taken down. When the Yankees came back they were in the series for 3 straight years winning 2 of them. Outside of those years and the late 90's the current one has little to no history. Don't forget the Yankees will still have the thing that helped them to all 26 World Championships, a wallet.

[JQK]

If they move from the current foundation, the Yankees will never win another championship.

They can't do this. The ghosts will be lost. The Grand Cathedral of Baseball will be lost forever.

Why most of the history was distroyed when the remodeled the stadium in the 70's. The field is in a different place than it was, the monuments were moved, and the facade was taken down. When the Yankees came back they were in the series for 3 straight years winning 2 of them. Outside of those years and the late 90's the current one has little to no history. Don't forget the Yankees will still have the thing that helped them to all 26 World Championships, a wallet.

They were on the same foundation though. The stadium was still in the same place it was, it was gutted and renovated, but it was still the Stadium.

This plan is going to abandon the foundation, and build across the street. It will no longer be the house that Ruth built. It will be a nice stadium, but it won't be Yankee Stadium.

[TFoA]

If they move from the current foundation, the Yankees will never win another championship.

They can't do this. The ghosts will be lost. The Grand Cathedral of Baseball will be lost forever.

Why most of the history was distroyed when the remodeled the stadium in the 70's. The field is in a different place than it was, the monuments were moved, and the facade was taken down. When the Yankees came back they were in the series for 3 straight years winning 2 of them. Outside of those years and the late 90's the current one has little to no history. Don't forget the Yankees will still have the thing that helped them to all 26 World Championships, a wallet.

This plan is going to abandon the foundation, and build across the street. It will no longer be the house that Ruth built. It will be a nice stadium, but it won't be Yankee Stadium.

Tough break, man. We turned Fulton County Stadium into a parking lot, and we STILL own the NL East. Surely you all can still win your championships with a little move across the street.

[DEAD!]

If they move from the current foundation, the Yankees will never win another championship.

They can't do this. The ghosts will be lost. The Grand Cathedral of Baseball will be lost forever.

Why most of the history was distroyed when the remodeled the stadium in the 70's. The field is in a different place than it was, the monuments were moved, and the facade was taken down. When the Yankees came back they were in the series for 3 straight years winning 2 of them. Outside of those years and the late 90's the current one has little to no history. Don't forget the Yankees will still have the thing that helped them to all 26 World Championships, a wallet.

This plan is going to abandon the foundation, and build across the street. It will no longer be the house that Ruth built. It will be a nice stadium, but it won't be Yankee Stadium.

Tough break, man. We turned Fulton County Stadium into a parking lot, and we STILL own the NL East. Surely you all can still win your championships with a little move across the street.

Yeah, but they still have only one world series title to show for all those NL east titles while the Marlins have won the World Series twice as Wild Cards

[TFoA]

If they move from the current foundation, the Yankees will never win another championship.

They can't do this. The ghosts will be lost. The Grand Cathedral of Baseball will be lost forever.

Why most of the history was distroyed when the remodeled the stadium in the 70's. The field is in a different place than it was, the monuments were moved, and the facade was taken down. When the Yankees came back they were in the series for 3 straight years winning 2 of them. Outside of those years and the late 90's the current one has little to no history. Don't forget the Yankees will still have the thing that helped them to all 26 World Championships, a wallet.

This plan is going to abandon the foundation, and build across the street. It will no longer be the house that Ruth built. It will be a nice stadium, but it won't be Yankee Stadium.

Tough break, man. We turned Fulton County Stadium into a parking lot, and we STILL own the NL East. Surely you all can still win your championships with a little move across the street.

Yeah, but they still have only one world series title to show for all those NL east titles while the Marlins have won the World Series twice as Wild Cards

That's why barely anybody goes to the playoff games

[Mac the Knife]

It will no longer be the house that Ruth built. It will be a nice stadium, but it won't be Yankee Stadium.

It'll be the house that Steinbrenner built. That's part of it - the old man's looking to cement his legacy, literally.