New York has given us an initial glimpse at the design for a proposed 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Queens, marking it as the city's first.
The grand scheme for the $780 million stadium also incorporates a variety of amenities for the Willets Point neighborhood. These include a sprawling 40,000 square feet of public green areas, an educational institution, hospitality facilities, and retail spaces at street level, as outlined by the New York soccer club.
The project's vision also includes the construction of 2,500 dwellings, all of which will be affordably priced, as per the New York club's declaration.
Thomas J. Grech, the head of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the project's significance by stating that this endeavor will offer thousands of cost-effective residences, stimulate economic activity that benefits local enterprises, and introduce an additional attractive destination in Queens.
NYCFC, the soccer club behind the venture, anticipates the stadium, which will be funded privately, to be operational for the 2027 MLS season.
The blueprint also entails the revitalization of the neighborhoods encircling the stadium. The Willets Point area, where the stadium is set to rise, is already home to the New York Mets' Citi Field and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the latter being the venue for the US Open.
The city's mayor, Eric Adams, had previously disclosed the stadium construction plans in November. As per the Queens Daily Eagle, a substantial environmental remediation phase has been completed, replacing 100,000 tons of polluted soil with 80,000 tons of clean earth at the project site.
According to Marty Edelman, vice chairman of NYCFC, this ongoing investment in the city is set to provide a long-awaited home base for the First Team and contribute to the evolution of a new neighborhood in Queens.
Since its establishment in 2013 and the start of its inaugural MLS season in 2015, NYCFC has been without a dedicated stadium. Now in its ninth MLS season, NYCFC has hosted home games primarily at Yankee Stadium, along with matches at Citi Field, Red Bull Arena, and even the BMO Stadium in California.
NYCFC also declared that the project will result in the construction of thousands of reasonably priced housing units.
New York City Council member Francisco Moya noted the integrated design of the residential buildings, open spaces, and stadium, referring to it as a prime example of how urban neighborhoods should be developed. He emphasized the project's commitment to prioritizing pedestrian-friendly design and using union labor. He also lauded the project as a transformative investment in a corner of Queens that has long been overlooked, predicting that it will become a shining example for both the borough and the city.
Questions & Answers:
Q: What is the capacity of the proposed soccer stadium in Queens? A: The proposed soccer-specific stadium in Queens will have a seating capacity of 25,000.
Q: What other facilities are included in the project apart from the stadium? A: In addition to the stadium, the project plans to include 40,000 square feet of public open space, a school, a hotel, and ground-level retail spaces.
Q: What is the timeline for the completion of the stadium? A: NYCFC plans to have the stadium ready for the 2027 MLS season.
Q: How many affordable housing units will be built as part of the project? A: The project includes plans for the construction of 2,500 affordable housing units.
Q: What significant environmental remediation has been completed at the project site? A: The project site has undergone a substantial environmental remediation phase, replacing 100,000 tons of polluted soil with 80,000 tons of clean earth.
Q: Who is the soccer club behind this grand project? A: The soccer club behind this project is New York City Football Club (NYCFC).
Q: Where has NYCFC been hosting its home games? A: Until now, NYCFC has primarily hosted its home matches at Yankee Stadium, with additional games at Citi Field, Red Bull Arena, and even BMO Stadium in California.
Q: What does the project signify for Queens and the city according to New York City Council member Francisco Moya? A: According to Council member Francisco Moya, this project symbolizes a transformative investment in a corner of Queens that has been overlooked for some time. He predicts that it will become a shining beacon for the borough and the city.
