New York City and State officials should make good on their stated citywide commitment to fund public transportation as an alternative to driving. Recently, officials pledged funds to build a Metro-North train station near Yankee Stadium. With an estimated 10,000 fans per game choosing Metro North to get to the games, the number of proposed parking spaces can be substantially cut and our parkland restored to the community.

“Believe it or not, the New York City Industrial Development Agency will hold another hearing on the proposed financing for the garages to be built in connection with Yankee Stadium. The allocation is now $219 million dollars, up from the $190 million proposed in the spring,” said Bettina Damiani of Good Jobs New York.

The beneficiary is no longer Bronx Community Initiatives Development Corporation. The parent company of Community Initiatives Development Corporation defaulted on $7 million dollars in bonds issued on its behalf in 2002 by the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency. Now we have The Bronx Parking Development Company, LLC as the beneficiary whose board includes representatives from city agencies, most notably, The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.

Now wouldn’t you think that a representative from the Bronx would know that these parking garages are not designed to benefit the community? This proposed financing translates into about $8000 per parking space. All NY State and City residents will share this cost. If the company defaults on the bonds, the City will be on the hook for the full $219 million dollars. We do not need parking garages that will only induce more people to drive into our community and further pollute the environment!

The Bronx Borough Board has not voted on the garages because; guess what? They were left out of this whole plan! Call your elected officials and let them know we want our parks back!

Joyce Hogi
Community resident
Vice-President, board member for Bronx Council on Environemntal Equality.