Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, December 13, 1999

Release #479-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AT YANKEE STADIUM

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced an agreement, subject to Court approval, with the Federal government and the New York Yankees that will greatly enhance the ability of disabled persons to enjoy baseball games at historic Yankee Stadium. The City believes these modifications will go well beyond those required under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) for retrofitting existing structures.

"I want to congratulate Corporation Counsel Michael Hess and the staff of the Law Department for having worked so diligently in resolving this litigation," the Mayor said. "Under this agreement the City and the Yankees will be providing approximately 300 pairs of seats are located throughout the stadium and include prime box seats for wheelchair users and their companions. Baseball fans with disabilities will also have access to many other types of facilities within the stadium, such as concession stands, suites and restaurants.

"I also want to thank George Steinbrenner and the Yankee's organization for working so closely with the City lawyers in bringing about a reasonable resolution of the difficult issues raised by this litigation," the Mayor concluded.

Construction work will begin this January, in order to ensure that the renovations are completed before the opening of the 2000 season, when the Yankees will seek their third straight World Championship. The renovations will cost approximately three and one-half million dollars and the Yankees will add additional staff to assist patrons with disabilities. Further, at the end of the 2000 season additional work costing approximately two million dollars will be undertaken to complete work to enhancing ready access and comfort for baseball fans with disabilities.

A number of issues in the lawsuit brought by the Federal government against the City and the Yankees were litigated before United States District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin, to whom a stipulation and order of settlement was presented today for approval. While the extent of renovations reasonably required by the ADA in a 77 year-old stadium, not currently being renovated, was disputed by the parties, they were able to resolve their differences and come to an amicable resolution."



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