Nobody would dare seek to claim a piece of Central Park to use it for a large-scale private enterprise endeavor. It would be laughed off as impossible and greedy. But when it comes to the equivalent effort at the largest park space in Queens, it\u2019s happening right before our eyes.<\/p>\n
A plan to build a new soccer-specific stadium on more than a dozen acres at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park has not yet faced legally-mandated hurdles but don\u2019t put it past the power brokers here to defy consideration of the community\u2019s best interests. An announcement is planned in the coming weeks to unveil the affluent name and face who would own Major League Soccer\u2019s 20th franchise and play home matches in the new building on public land. Mayor Mike is thumbs up on it and so is my state senator Jose Peralta, who has done a lot of the heavy lifting to sell the plan to the Queens residents who use the park on a regular basis.<\/p>\n
My position on new stadium construction and associated benefits and\/or problems that come with them vary by project. I strongly oppose this one. I supported the controversial new arena in Brooklyn and I backed failed efforts to build a football stadium on the west side of Manhattan and a hockey rink at the chop-shop space at Willets Point. My concerns with this project at Flushing Meadows shouldn\u2019t be seen as inconsistent with my views on the others. Park space in this city should be untouchable. Park space at this neglected, under-appreciated park is plentiful, yes, but the soccer stadium would be situated on the best parcel of it. What makes it an even easier call for me is that we simply don\u2019t need a soccer stadium or new pro soccer team in Queens. The MLS is hell-bent on adding a franchise here but already has a great building and great organization across the river. Why kick the Red Bulls in the shins by adding a second team to the market. The MLS push should be greater viability of the Red Bulls. This plan would kill a team that impresses every new visitor it attracts.<\/p>\n
When it was revealed Wednesday that Senator Peralta was among a fresh batch of state lawmakers being monitored by the federal government in an ongoing criminal probe aided by the wired-up efforts of disgraced Senator Shirley Huntley, it must have sent a few shivers through the office of MLS Commissioner Don Garber and the yet-to-be named owner of the franchise hoping to occupy the new Queens stadium. (Garber gave Peralta\u2019s borough presidency campaign $320 on 1-11-2013).<\/p>\n
Peralta is the community and state legislature\u2019s point man on the project and it\u2019s possible his unusually active efforts on this is fueled by factors beyond pure affection for union construction jobs and soccer matches. It\u2019ll be important for both the government and Peralta to show their cards promptly. Until that happens, MLS should put the brakes on the land grab if and until Peralta\u2019s name is cleared.<\/p>\n
Barring that, it\u2019ll be up to the full city council to reject an idea that should be seen for what it is: a giveaway of precious city park land for a pro soccer franchise that has dubious viability and public benefit.<\/p>\n
-When the minor-league single-A Brooklyn Cyclones open their thirteenth season on Coney Island in June, they\u2019ll be playing on fake grass rather than the real stuff. Hurricane Sandy did significant damage to much of MCU Park\u2019s infrastructure. During renovations to restore the ballpark into playing shape, it was decided by the Mets-owned team to replace every inch of the field\u2019s natural sod with an artificial surface called FieldTurf. Saltwater kills grass and the Cyclones are taking the long-term view the new field can better withstand another hurricane. It\u2019s a negative development in my view but one that perhaps makes it more likely that franchise can stay put on Coney forever?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nobody would dare seek to claim a piece of Central Park to use it for a large-scale private enterprise endeavor. It would be laughed off as impossible and greedy. But when it comes to the equivalent effort at the largest … Continue reading