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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today broke ground for the beginning of several major initiatives for the redevelopment of Randall's & Wards Island Park. The initiatives announced today call for replacing the decaying Downing Stadium with a complex of new soccer fields and a new Track & Field Center. In addition, the Mayor announced that Aquatic Development Group has been designated to develop a family-oriented water park, and Quincunx LLC has been selected to construct and operate an amphitheater facility for the Island.

These two developments represent $77 million in private investment. Together, they will create more than 500 May through September jobs, generate approximately $1.5 million in direct revenue annually for the City and approximately $1.25 million in tax revenue.

City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Finance Robert M. Harding, Deputy Mayor for Community Development and Business Services Rudy Washington, New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Michael G. Carey, New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Henry J. Stern and Richard J. Davis, Chairman, Randall's Island Sports Foundation (RISF) joined the Mayor for the announcement at Randall's Island. Four-time Olympic Gold medallist Al Oerter and nine-time New York City Marathon winner Grete Waitz were also in attendance.

"This is a great day for Randall's Island and for the people of New York City," Mayor Giuliani said. "Through the tireless efforts and cooperation of many people, most of whom are represented here today, Randall's Island will once again become a premier destination for those seeking quality sporting and recreational facilities, as well as top quality entertainment venues."

The Track & Field Center will be capable of hosting continental, regional and area championships, as well as Olympic training and trials. It is scheduled to be completed by spring 2002. These new soccer fields and the track center are estimated to cost approximately $22.5 million and will be funded by the City's Capital Budget, the New York City Council, and the Manhattan Borough President. In addition, RISF is providing funds from private sponsors. York Hunter Capital Construction, New York City, has been selected as construction manager for the project.

"This is a prime piece of real estate that deserves a face-lift," Speaker Vallone said. "Randall's Island has enormous potential to host world-class sporting events and to provide a much-needed athletic venue for our City's schoolchildren. As the Council Member for Randall's and Wards Island I have seen this project go from a dream to a reality. I am proud to have worked with the Administration and the private sector to secure funding for this valuable project."

The Randall's Island Sports Foundation was created in 1992 as a public/private partnership for managing the recreational activities on Randall's and Wards Island. In coordination with EDC and the Parks Department, RISF pursues a balance of revenue generating recreation and entertainment uses with restored playing fields and facilities.

Richard Davis, Chairman of RISF said, "By creating a center of athletics, recreation and entertainment, where kids and families with children can go, this announcement launches the implementation of projects that materially enhance the quality of life in our City. The Randall's Island Sports Foundation is proud to be working with the City in this effort."

In the late 1990s, market demand analysis and feasibility studies demonstrated the need for additional athletic fields as well as a dedicated amphitheater. A masterplan was developed that identified several locations for reconfiguring playing fields to accommodate such facilities. EDC then issued a Request for Expressions of Interest for family-themed recreational and entertainment uses. As a result, Aquatic Development Group, of Cohoes, N.Y., and Quincunx LLC, of New York City, were selected for the projects.

"The Randall's Island water park will be the most significant stand-alone facility of its kind in the country," Aquatic Development Group President Herb Ellis said. "Strategically located in the center of the country's greatest urban area, it will be readily available to more than eight million people."

Aquatic Development plans to construct and operate a $45 million water park on the northwest corner of the Island. The water park will occupy approximately 15 acres and feature family-oriented entertainment such as Lazy River Raft Rides, Wave Pools and Children's Spray Showers, as well as a restaurant and riverside esplanade. Aquatic Development specializes in the development, design, construction and operation of all types of aquatic facilities, including Olympic facilities, and operates the largest water parks in the country.

"We are honored to join with Mayor Giuliani to expand New York City's economic and cultural revitalization to Randall's Island," said Kevin McCabe, Partner, Quincunx LLC. "The development of a world-class, outdoor amphitheater reinforces New York City's reputation as the premiere destination for arts, music and culture."

The $32 million, 19,500-seat amphitheater to be developed and operated by Quincunx will be situated along the western shoreline of the Island. It will be operated as an outdoor performing arena, mainly for musical concerts, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The new amphitheater, protected by a tensile structure, will offer a new venue for concerts, cultural performances and community events.

Deputy Mayor Harding said, "The projects we are announcing today represent the beginning of the transformation of Randall's Island from an underused recreational area to a dynamic, state-of-the-art, self-sustaining sports, recreational and entertainment destination that will serve the children and families of the New York City and attract visitors from all over."

"This project is an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together to bring to fruition a plan that will produce great rewards to all concerned," EDC President Michael G. Carey said. "It is also in keeping with Mayor Giuliani's policies to put underused public land to work for their communities, create jobs, increase the City's revenues, and improve the quality of life for our children and families."

Randall's and Wards Island Park, with almost 400 acres of poorly laid-out recreational playing fields and paths and the deteriorating Downing Stadium, has been an underused resource for many years. But due to the public/private partnership between the City's Department of Parks and Recreation and the Randall's Island Sports Foundation, established in 1992, the Island now offers a number of programs that benefit more than 275,000 schoolchildren and members of recreational leagues each year.

Parks Commissioner Henry Stern said, "The great recreational potential of Randall's and Wards Island Park will now be fulfilled with the amphitheater, track & field center, and water park. We are pleased to see these projects get under way."

In addition, the City is coordinating with the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to improve access to the Island from the Triborough Bridge and improve bus service. The MTA has committed $10 million for these transportation initiatives in conjunction with major improvements planned for the Triborough Bridge. Other proposed improvements for access to the Island include a pedestrian bridge from the Bronx and a private ferry service.

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