Stream Corner

In spring of 09 Yankee, fans will get a chance to see the newest addition to the team, a new stadium. This modern baseball stadium has some serious shoes to fill to win the hearts of dedicated fans. The Old Yankee Stadium has stood the tests of time and adversity reigning in New York City for eighty-six years. All good things must come to an end to make way for new good things. The new Yankee stadium promises to be just that with a 1.3 billion dollar price tag.

Since 1980, the idea of a new Yankee Stadium has been kicked around. Originally, the owner wanted to move the stadium given the state of the South Bronx at the time. As ideas were brought up, discussed and discarded, the neighborhood turned around and the team gained in popularity. By the early 1990s, the Yankees organization was still interested in building a new stadium - but right there in the Bronx.

The largest hurdle faced by the Yankees organization in building a new stadium was finances. Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was in favor of the city supporting new stadiums for both the Yankees and Mets with $800 million in construction funds and a $390 million investment in improved public transportation. The Mets would also receive $80,000 in the form of debt forgiveness and along with the Yankees, would receive $25 million in funds for planning and logistics. Giuliani's plan also included a waiver on sales and property taxes for both teams, as well as low cost, state subsidized electricity. Both teams would also receive 96% of ticket sales and 100% of parking fees for the new stadiums and other revenues.

The plan would not come to fruition however as Michael Bloomberg would take office and decide to exercise the escape clause built into the contract. Unfortunately, for Bloomberg exiting mayor Giuliani had built in a clause that stated the teams could look for new homes elsewhere if the city backed out of the deal. Fortunately, for fans new plans were agreed upon that left the city footing much less of the bill and plans for the new parks forged ahead.

The new Yankee Stadium has been designed carefully to be reminiscent of the current stadium. Indiana limestone will encompass the entire structure, just as was the case until the original stadium was renovated in 1974. The copper frieze which was present on the original stadium has also been replicated, but the interior features many new amenities for Yankees fans, including two new restaurants which will be open year round.

Whether you support it or feel like many do that a piece of history will be lost forever, it is safe to say that the new Yankee Stadium will keep with the tradition that brought the old Yankee Stadium, one of progress and financial risk taking. It paid off the first time, we will soon see if it will a second time.