From the Daily News:
A nonprofit group that hopes to bring back tennis to a Queens stadium that long hosted the U.S. Open may get taxpayer cash for its ambitious plan, the Daily News has learned.
The chairman of the City Council’s Finance ommittee has proposed a public-private partnership to back what he calls a “beautiful” plan to rejuvenate West Side Stadium in Forest Hills.
Brooklyn Councilman Domenic Recchia hailed the nonprofit Stadium Arts Alliance for its vision to host major tennis matches, concerts, art exhibits and ice hockey in the aging landmark.
“Now is the time we have to address this,” Recchia said of re-using the crumbling venue where the U.S. Open was played from 1923 to 1977.
The alliance’s chairman, John Banks, said he “absolutely” supports the partnership.
“Anything that would help make this more of a reality is something we would be interested in discussing,” he said.
The club that owns the stadium is reviewing bids from developers who are mostly believed to have proposed gutting the structure for condos.
The club, which is expected to pick a winner early next year, can complete a sale or lease only with a two-thirds majority of its members.
Recchia called the alliance’s proposal “a victory for the entire community.” He said it’s too early to break down how much city money the alliance might snag.
12 comments:
The USTA should be investing in its own heritage and renovating the original home of the US Open. 64-player draw tournament on the hard courts of the WSTC would be a perfect warm-up tournament a week to 2 weeks before the Open. It would draw top players too as they wouldn't have to worry about traveling in a day before the Open starts. If the 2-week long US Open and many concert seasons were able to handle the parking in the neighborhood, I'm sure a week-long tournament can do it too.
The stadium is structural unsound. Doesn't meet Public Assembly exit requirements, doesn't provide proper Handicap access and most importantly is an eyesore. Don't spend a dime of my tax money on this stadium plan because as soon as the fubding is approved. The 'bait and switch' plan will say that the original stadium has to go and a new stadium has to be built. I won't take the bait. Condem the property and make a nice park in an area that lacks parks. I wish Queens had all the nice parks that the Bronx has.
Who in the city council represents Forest Hills?
Why isn't thet representative (I believe it is Karen Koslowitz) speaking up on behalf of her constituents?
Recchia represents Brooklyn
Glad he is coming up with a productive idea,
"Recchia represents Brooklyn
Glad he is coming up with a productive idea,"
- - - - - -
Recchia is also a lawyer with his own law firm. Don't be surprised if he ends up with something for him.
Don't trust Recchia.
He's a wheeler & dealer. He's just trying to make a name for himself to run for NYC Comptroller.
He needs alot of money to do so & this project will be his way of getting Developer campaign money for his election.He has done this in the Coney Island development, getting thousands of dollars from Thor Equities ( Joe Sitt) & Friends & Family.
Recchia is a self-serving public official, looking out for Himself not the Community.
I think that Koslowitz opposes this.
Ok - everyone back up.
What politically connected developer/'civic leader' / politican is involved either directly or through a relative 'cause we all know that everytime someone proposes something unless they are connected we get the 'we have no money' bullshit.
A silver dolla for the fella that can find the connection.
Abandoned Queens Leadership
FH tennis stadium. 33 years
Flushing Meadows pavilion, 46 years
LIRR Rockaway spur , 50 years
Forest Park carousel, 5 years
Can any of our Queens elected servants come up with some courage and vision to do something with these deteriorating eyesores once and for all?!
Karen Koslowitz has not been seen in Elmhurst since her election - she is useless.
As far as the USTA is concerned they have a world class facility open to the community with welcome arms, unlike the nasty folks who run the Forest Hills Clubs who are snobby told which kid they want to play there or work there.
Can any of our Queens elected servants come up with some courage and vision to do something with these deteriorating eyesores once and for all?!
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No.
Why should they?
What are you doing for force them?
THERES NO MONEY!!!
in district 19 that is...
What politically connected developer/'civic leader' / politican is involved either directly or through a relative 'cause we all know that everytime someone proposes something unless they are connected we get the 'we have no money' bullshit.
I see you met Councilman district 19
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