Take Me Out to the New Ballparks
By Mayor Rudy Giuliani
New York City is the Baseball Capital of the World and for devoted
baseball fans there is no better day of the year than Opening Day.
This year New Yorkers who love baseball are even more fortunate than
they were last year, when the season ended with a historic Subway
Series between the Yankees and the Mets. Because this season began
with not two, but four Opening Days - and two of them were in brand
new stadiums.
Last year's Penn League champions, the Staten Island Yankees, played
their home opener on Sunday in the new Richmond County Bank Ballpark
in St. George. Baseball fans young and old enjoyed a night at the
ballpark, and enjoyed the most beautiful view in baseball: looking
over the outfield fence to New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline
in the distance.
And the following day, Monday June 25th, baseball returned to Brooklyn
for the first time in 44 years, when the Brooklyn Cyclones played
their first home game at the new KeySpan Park in Coney Island.
The debut of the Mets' minor league affiliate marked the first time
Brooklyn baseball fans celebrated Opening Day on their own turf since
Walter O'Malley broke their hearts by moving the Dodgers to Los Angeles
after the 1957 season.
The Staten Island Yankees will host at least 38 home games through
early September, as well as a variety of concerts and sporting events.
The annual game and event schedule is projected to create approximately
200 local jobs. The annual recurring economic impact from stadium
operations is estimated at $16.1 million, with the City expected to
receive approximately $2.5 million in annual revenue from the development.
The ballpark is just one part of a comprehensive economic redevelopment
plan that will turn the St. George neighborhood into a state-of-the-art
gateway to Staten Island. This redevelopment plan includes the $81
million renovation of the St. George Ferry Terminal, the construction
of the National Lighthouse Museum, and the Staten Island Institute
of Arts and Sciences.
The Brooklyn Cyclones are also scheduled to play at least 38 home
games, and the City can host a number of events at KeySpan Park, including
other sporting, cultural, and community events. Approximately 240
full- and part-time jobs will result from the operation of the new
ballpark. It's expected to generate more than $11.7 million in economic
activity annually for the City, and $1.1 million in City revenue.
In addition to the revitalization of Steeplechase Park, many improvements
to the surrounding neighborhood are planned. My administration has
appropriated $11 million for improvements to the area, including:
the construction of three pedestrian corridors to maintain public
access to the waterfront; the rebuilding of the world-famous Reigleman
Boardwalk; significant improvements to the Aquarium; and the development
of a museum dedicated to Brooklyn Dodgers memorabilia and New York
sports history.
Several cross-harbor series are scheduled between the Brooklyn Cyclones
and the Staten Island Yankees during July and August, and I hope that
everyone gets a chance to see these beautiful new ballparks. Richmond
County Bank Stadium can be reached via a free ride on the Staten Island
Ferry - just board at Battery Park and you can see the Statue of Liberty
and Ellis Island during the ride. The ballpark is right there when
you get off the ferry.
The revival of Coney Island is making headlines and the Brooklyn Cyclones
are proving to be the anchor tenant that is bringing New Yorkers back
to this historic beachfront community. Now is the perfect time to
see the changes for yourself - spend the day with family or friends
at the amusement parks, grab a delicious dinner at Nathan's or Gargiulo's,
and then take in a Brooklyn Cyclones game at sunset. For tickets to
the Brooklyn Cyclones, call (718) 449-TIXS (8497), and for the Staten
Island Yankees, (718) 698-9265.
The summer of 2001 offers New Yorkers more opportunities than ever
before to take in a ballgame and enjoy the excitement of our national
pastime. It's no wonder we're the Baseball Capital of the World.
