Queens’ Gambit: MLS NYCFC Moving Forward With New $800M Pitch
Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 02:40PM By Barry Janoff
Image: NYCFCApril 11, 2024: The New York Mets play in the borough of Queens, the New York Islanders play in the borough of Queens, the U.S. Open tennis Grand Slam is played in the borough of Queens, and soon the MLS New York City Football Club will play in the borough of Queens.
The New York City Council today voted 47-1 to approve the Willets Point Phase II Redevelopment Plan, completing a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure review process.
The new 23-acre development at Willets Point will include NYCFC’s soccer-specific stadium, well as a 650-seat public school, a hotel and more than 150,000 square feet of public open space.
The 25,000-seat stadium would be scheduled to open in 2027. The area is accessible by car and public transportation.
City officials said the estimated $800 million stadium would be privately financed by NYCFC's owners.
The club is co-owned by City Football Group, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi United Group, and Yankee Global Enterprises, owners of the New York Yankees.
However, the Independent Budget Office concluded that the actual cost to taxpayers for the stadium could be $516 million spread over the 49-year term of NYCFC's lease, according to ESPN.
The project is estimated to generate $6.1 billion in economic activity, create 1,550 permanent jobs, and 14,200 construction jobs.
“The approval by the New York City Council of New York City FC’s new world-class stadium is another historic step for Major League Soccer as we continue to build the sport in North America,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said via the league.
“Congratulations and a heartfelt thanks to The City Football Group, New York City FC’s supporters, Mayor (Eric) Adams, Queens Borough president Donovan Richards, councilman Francisco Moya, and everyone who worked so hard over the years and believed in this project.”
Since entering the league in 2015, NYCFC has played the majority of its home games in Yankee Stadium in The Bronx.
Due to scheduling conflicts with the Yankees, the club also plays games in Citi Field, home to the Mets, and also has played games in MLS New York Red Bull’s Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
“Housing is the goal — and with today’s City Council vote, I’m proud to say that we just scored the goal of the decade,” mayor Adams said during a media event following the vote.
“We’re bringing 2,500 affordable housing units, 150,000 square feet of public open space, thousands of good-paying jobs, and the city’s first soccer-specific stadium to a neighborhood in Queens that used to be known for its junk yards.”
Added NYCFC vice chairman Marty Edelman, “Without our fans and partners like Council member Moya, Council Speaker Adams, and the entire City Council, our club would not be able to make good on a promise we made ten years ago to build NYC’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium in the five boroughs.
“Today's City Council vote gets us one step closer to bringing this promise to life in Queens — the World’s Borough will be our home for The World’s Game.”
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