Apr 5, 2006 8:25 pm US/Eastern
City Approves Plans For New Yankee Stadium
Nearby Park And City Street Would Be Absorbed By Project
BRONX (CBS) ―
Despite strong Bronx community opposition, the City Council voted Wednesday to approve a design for a new $800 million Yankee Stadium that includes the takeover of a nearby city park and a street.
The full council voted 44-3 with two exemptions. A vote earlier Wednesday by a subcommittee approved eminent domain to obtain the city parkland -- at the center of community opposition in recent weeks. The panel also approved construction of four new parking garages, and the takeover of a city street.
Next week, the council's finance committee is expected to OK approval for the bonds to pay for construction of the new ballpark, which is expected to open in 2009.
Check Out WCBSTV.Com's Special Report On The New Yankee StadiumThe new stadium would replace McCombs Dam Park, the loss of which has united the Bronx neighborhood in opposition.
Stadium OppositionOn Tuesday night dozens gathered and marched around McCombs Dam Park in an effort to save it. Neighbors said they would feel robbed of the only parkland they have if the City Council approves the stadium plan.
"What are they going to do with these children?" asked business owner Pat Canale. "Ask them to play on top of a parking garage?"
Added resident Geneva Causey: "This park anchors our community. It's been here for 120 years. People come from all over to use this park. There's no reason for this, except that the Yankees want to have their cake and eat it too.
CBS 2 story from March 22 on how a new offer from the Yankees was met by protest.But Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion said the plan would actually give the community an additional two acres of park space, including four baseball fields, a soccer field and a running track.
"When all is done they will have more park land," Carrion said. "And I think there's been misinformation...A more beautiful and better working area as a result of this."
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