The ongoing New York City FC (NYCFC) stadium search is taking another turn, as a soccer-specific venue is included as part of the Harlem River Yards development.
New York YIMBY has reported on the details of the proposed project. Dubbed Harlem River Yards, the $700-million development is being pitched for a site on the South Bronx waterfront. The plans calls for a new 26,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium for NYCFC, along with a slate of amenities that includes affordable and workforce housing, park space, retail, and more.
Harlem River Yards has been proposed by a group that includes NYCFC, Related Companies, and Somerset Partners, and Somerset is in the process of working on adjacent towers. No plans have been finalized to this point, but the project is drawing plenty of intrigue. More from New York YIMBY:
The affordable housing component would come with a 25,000 square foot medical facility in the base, as well as major amenities for the neighborhood’s children. Up above, there would be approximately 550 affordable and workforce apartments created.
While plans have not yet been finalized, YIMBY’s source notes that Related is the likely contender to win the RFP for the site, and with Somerset already working on their towers next door, the partnership and plans are looking very likely. The stadium itself would rise above extant rail yards, which would increase costs by $75 million, but have the beneficial effect of capping rail tracks with vibrant mixed-use development.
The proposal explains that the Partnership would pay $500,000 annually for a 99-year ground lease, invest $25 million into the new waterfront esplanade, and invest another $100 million into making the site buildable, within the total investment of $700 million. The site spans 12.8 acres and has 1,200 feet of waterfront frontage, but combined with Somerset’s adjacent residential plans, the area increases to 17.1 acres, and the river frontage measures 2,400 feet.
NYCFC has played home matches at Yankee Stadium since its inaugural 2015 MLS season, but has always intended to eventually move into a new soccer-specific stadium in the New York City area. In one of its more recent efforts, the club partnered with Related to submit a bid to develop a new stadium on a site at Belmont Park. However, in December, officials opted to move forward with a competing proposal that includes a new arena for the New York Islanders (NHL) and surrounding development.
It is currently expected that the proposed Harlem River Yards development would be completed in 2022.
Images courtesy Rafael Vinoly Architects.