This was assumed in the timeline, but still needed to go through the motions. So "saving a year" was already included in the timeline.
Stadium Discussion
- Thread starter Gene
- Start date
SoupInNYC - thoughts on this report about borough president Donovan Richards?
Queens Borough President not ready to say 'yes' to NYCFC stadium
Donovan Richards wants written commitments from NYCFC and their developer partners on community-focused issues.
hudsonriverblue.com
Queens Borough President not ready to say 'yes' to NYCFC stadium
Donovan Richards wants written commitments from NYCFC and their developer partners on community-focused issues.
Note this bit from the article:
This has been part of the plan from early on, not just lip service
There's not much to take away from this really IMO. Richards' approval at this point is advisory-only and he definitely has been in support of the project, with the one previous "hiccup" being the street vendor thing that he used as leverage for the de-mapping ordeal which has since been resolved.
Queens Borough President not ready to say 'yes' to NYCFC stadium
Donovan Richards wants written commitments from NYCFC and their developer partners on community-focused issues.
In the public hearing he noted wanting the community to have access to tickets to games (which I don't really see how the club is going to be able to commit to a ton there considering capacity, unless there are certain stipulations around that documented) and community access to using the stadium as the article noted. Richards mentioned not just graduations and local tournaments.
But City Square is anticipated to provide a ton of open space inside the stadium and Dan White mentioned on the hearing about flexible uses of that space. The term sheet also included that the administrative and suite spaces in the stadium will be used to host "workforce development events, internships, educational trainings, and other events in partnership with CUNY and other local schools"
So I think most of this is lip-service from Richards. Perhaps locking down some more specifics in writing around some of this. Some people who spoke out against the project in both the CB7 and Borough Pres meetings mentioned getting a community benefits agreement in writing.
But there's no reason to think anything other than Richards is in full support of this and it won't take much at all to even satisfy what he's asking for. Most of what he's asking for is already there. But he also needs to display himself as not a "yes man" and that he's critiquing this project too.
It is amazing the power of the Post and its pro Steve Cohen takes. I was having dinner with some friend who are sports fans but are non soccer fans, the other night and I am mentioned to them about the potential stadium. They didn’t believe the stadium was being built but they were certain that Willets Points was going to get the casino. At least I didn’t have to explain how they couldn’t fit a football field at Willets Point.
Still not going to believe it's happening until shovels are in the ground, but I'm cautiously optimistic.
If they can do this, why not our stadium?
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so will the planning commission make their decision on the 24th? or is that just the hearing and will meet after to make decision?
Another good piece of news for the stadium is the fact that it looks like the Interborough light rail connecting Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights is moving forward. One of the two (stadium and rail) is bound to get delayed, but if and when they both open, the stadium will be much more accessible for many people. I live in Bay Ridge, and it will be a great option.
The way this is proceeding, you can tell the team has done a really good job of greasing the skids ahead of time with local politicians and leaders. It feels like you usually see a lot more public criticism of these projects; we've seen virtually none of that with this project.
It's just the hearing, the vote will come a few weeks later.
If we thought NYCFC had clout with MLS, and were able to ask and get the 5 home games in a row, to coinside with the ULURP approval process. I would think this FO is a genius, but alas. Here is my crazy theory.
CPC: (60 days) March 10th - Day after Home Opener vs Portland. Let's assume CPC does a Friday dump and approves in on the 8th.
City Council (50 Days from 3/8/24) - April 27, 2024 NYCFC hosts Charlotte. Let's assume City Council does a Friday dump and approves in on the 26th.
Mayor Office (5 days from 4/26/24) - May 1 announcement. Team has a formal announcement with the mayor, QBP, and Queens reps on May 5, 2024 home vs Colorado in QUEENS.
CPC: (60 days) March 10th - Day after Home Opener vs Portland. Let's assume CPC does a Friday dump and approves in on the 8th.
City Council (50 Days from 3/8/24) - April 27, 2024 NYCFC hosts Charlotte. Let's assume City Council does a Friday dump and approves in on the 26th.
Mayor Office (5 days from 4/26/24) - May 1 announcement. Team has a formal announcement with the mayor, QBP, and Queens reps on May 5, 2024 home vs Colorado in QUEENS.
If we thought NYCFC had clout with MLS, and were able to ask and get the 5 home games in a row, to coinside with the ULURP approval process. I would think this FO is a genius, but alas. Here is my crazy theory.
CPC: (60 days) March 10th - Day after Home Opener vs Portland. Let's assume CPC does a Friday dump and approves in on the 8th.
City Council (50 Days from 3/8/24) - April 27, 2024 NYCFC hosts Charlotte. Let's assume City Council does a Friday dump and approves in on the 26th.
Mayor Office (5 days from 4/26/24) - May 1 announcement. Team has a formal announcement with the mayor, QBP, and Queens reps on May 5, 2024 home vs Colorado in QUEENS.
None of these groups have taken their full 60 days so far. What should have taken 120 days so far has been less than 90 days. Reports are that the CPC is holding a meeting in two weeks on this. If they meet again a month later, figure by the end of February it's past them. The whole process seems to have been fast tracked and is all but being rubber-stamped. It certainly seems like some point in April is when this project is going to get final approvals.
The Queens Borough President did actually just take his full alloted time of 30 days even though nothing in his written response published today was any different than his initial remarks during his public hearing held on 12/13.
The CPC and City Council will likely require some time.
CPC does meet on 1/24 with the public hearing to discuss it, and then have later meetings scheduled for 2/7, 2/21, and 3/6. Based on the size and complexity of this project, I think we can reasonably throw out 2/7 for the vote and approval. I imagine the vote won't come until 3/6.
City Council is a bit of a wildcard since they meet on all sorts of issues, I'm not really sure how to predict that too much other than note that it's a complex project that barely any of them are too familiar with the specifics on, so more than likely they will be closer to the 50 days.
I am of the opinion that the 5/5 game at Citi Field will be a celebration of ULURP completion
Related, Sterling Equities and NYCFC Buy Willets Point Lots for $12M
It’s the end of an era for the junkyards made famous in “The Great Gatsby” that once littered a 40-acre triangle in Queens.
commercialobserver.com
Including NYCFC in this headline is very misleading. The acquiring company was QDG Acquisition LLC, a subsidiary of Queens Development Group, which is a J/V between Sterling and Related.Related, Sterling Equities and NYCFC Buy Willets Point Lots for $12M
It’s the end of an era for the junkyards made famous in “The Great Gatsby” that once littered a 40-acre triangle in Queens.
Not news to us, but mainstream coverage:
www.nbcnewyork.com
NYC gets closer to having its first soccer stadium in Queens
The stadium will have 25,000 seats and is expected to be ready by 2027.
www.nbcnewyork.com
