Printer Friendly Format Email a Friend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 299-06
August 21, 2006

MAYOR BLOOMBERG DISCUSSES NEW YANKEE STADIUM & THE ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION OF THE BRONX DURING WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS

The following is the text of Mayor Bloomberg's weekly radio address as prepared for delivery on 1010 WINS News Radio for Sunday, August 20, 2006

"Good Morning. This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

"Tonight, Staten Island's dazzling Little Leaguers, the Mid-Island All-Stars, will take the field in their second game at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Our whole city is thrilled for the players, their coaches, and their parents-and in my book, the All-Stars are already "All-Champions."

"And they're not the only baseball team making big headlines in New York. A few days ago, I was proud to help break ground for the new $800 million stadium that the Yankees are building in the Bronx. It's not only going to be a beautiful new home for a great sports franchise; it symbolizes an amazing resurgence that's bringing a new day-with new jobs and opportunity-to the people of the South Bronx.

"The new stadium is part of a major revitalization of the neighborhood. It also features a $160 million City investment in more than 27 acres of new parks, including one that will finally open up the Harlem River waterfront to the community. There will be new baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, and tennis, handball, and basketball courts. Four new parking garages will be built, which should relieve traffic congestion on local streets. There will also be a new $45 million Yankee Stadium Metro North Station-something the people of the Bronx have wanted for a long time.

"Building all this is going to be one of the biggest construction projects in the city; it will create 6,500 jobs-3,000 of them just to construct the new stadium. The Yankees have really stepped up to the plate for the community, with a commitment that at least 25% of all stadium construction contracts will go to qualified Bronx firms and that at least 25% of all construction and post-construction jobs at the new stadium will go to qualified Bronx residents. And to back up that pledge, the team will put $1 million into job training programs for local residents.

"Another of New York's best corporate citizens-the Related Companies-is also making a major investment in the South Bronx. It's the half-billion-dollar Gateway Center they started building last week at the site of the old Bronx Terminal Market near Yankee Stadium.

"It will create 2,900 construction jobs and 2,100 permanent jobs in stores, restaurants, and other new businesses-many going to community residents. And it will replace what was once an eyesore of dilapidated and neglected buildings along the Harlem River with an attractive new shopping destination drawing people from across the region.

"Add all that to the 800 jobs that have recently come to the new Fulton Fish Market in nearby Hunts Point, to the other new jobs being created by private investments, to the new affordable housing being built in the community and to our continuing success in driving crime down to historic lows, and it's clear that the South Bronx is really hot. So is its hometown team, the Bronx Bombers, who are making a strong bid for an unprecedented 40th American League pennant. It's never over 'til it's over-but along with a lot of New Yorkers, I've got my fingers crossed that-like the Mid-Island All-Stars-both the Yankees and the Mets will be headed for some post-season glory this year.

"This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Thanks for listening."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser   (212) 788-2958




More Resources
Listen to the radio address