MEMORIAL FIELD PLAYBOOK

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Rafe Riley
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MEMORIAL FIELD PLAYBOOK Overview Families use to run together around the track, grab a hot dog from the concession stand, play soccer, fly kites, and cheerleaders use to cheer on our sports teams.

2 MEMORIAL FIELD PLAYBOOK Overview Families use to run together around the track, grab a hot dog from the concession stand, play soccer, fly kites, and cheerleaders use to cheer on our sports teams. We formed many bonds at Memorial Field over the years. Built in 1930, Memorial Field use to be our Yankee Stadium. It has over 12 acres of land, is accessible right from a major highway, and sits at the crossroads of Sandford Boulevard and Garden Avenue. During its glory years, Memorial Field saw the likes of the Jackson 5, Nina Simone perform, the Mean Joe Green Super Bowl Commercial filmed, and Mount Vernon s own Dick Clark entertain the crowds. For decades, Memorial Field was a major commercial and cultural hub and it will once again be the pride of Mount Vernon. It used to be the venue for major concerts, intense sports competitions, and graduation ceremonies for Mount Vernon High School. The crown jewel of the city, Memorial Field was a place where character was built, realized, and victories achieved. Unfortunately, in recent years it has become victim to criminal activity, as the Park has fallen into disrepair and become a site for toxic and illegal dumping. While we know that those who sought to destroy our field will be brought to justice someday, we are not waiting to begin the hard work to restore and revitalize our treasured park. Now, the situation is critical. The NYS Department of Environment Conservation has confirmed that the level of remediation and toxic waste at Memorial Field. They have placed the city under Page 2 of 8

3 an administrative consent order. We cannot ignore the situation at Memorial Field anymore. We must clean up or face severe fines and penalties. How Long? Memorial Field has been closed for six years. That s over 2,500 days that the people of Mount Vernon have been denied the use of their land. COMBINED, The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Barclays Center, and the new Yankee Stadium were all built in less time. Together, these projects were completed in less time that it has taken to begin working on Memorial Field. Major Project Completi on (in Days) 3,000 2,500 Number of Days 2,000 1,500 1, Memori a l Fi el d New Yankee Sta di um Chrys l er Bui l di ng Barcl ays Center Empi re State Bui l di ng How Much Is It Going to Cost? Fixing the damage done to Memorial Field isn t going to be cheap. Remediating the toxic conditions at the Field is mandatory and will cost the City of Mount Vernon at least $2 million. There are four options under consideration: Do Nothing: Clean up the toxic materials from the field and leave it as is. Do the Right Thing: Clean up the field and redevelop the area to make it a regional attraction for families to shop, watch sports, and play. Go Long on Parking: Reassess the parking needs for the area and create a hub of activity that will make it easier to park, shop, eat and enjoy a world-class facility. Page 3 of 8

Start from Scratch (Shoot for the Moon): Bring a completely new vision to Memorial Field and revitalize the entire area into a regional hub where people can come. Why Will It Cost So Much?

4 Start from Scratch (Shoot for the Moon): Bring a completely new vision to Memorial Field and revitalize the entire area into a regional hub where people can come. Why Will It Cost So Much? The level of contamination and toxic dumping that occurred at Memorial Field are extensive and it will cost millions to make it right. This is money the city has no choice but to spend. As previously stated, the NYS Department of Environment Conservation has placed the city under an consent order. We have no choice; we cannot ignore the situation at Memorial Field any longer. The estimated cost for clean up as mandated by the NYS DEC is two million dollars. That has been factored into each option. Below are detailed cost breakdowns for each option. Option 1 Do Nothing Area Clean-Up (mandated) Synthetic turf football/soccer field Six lane All-weather track Tennis courts and open field area Site-work and Landscaping, Site Fencing, Etc. Grandstand for 4,000 people Service building & locker rooms, bathrooms, squash courts $2,000,000 $2,600,000 $1,600,000 Subtotal Add 20% Contingency Total Estimated Costs $6,000,000 $12,200,000 $2,000,000 $14,200,000 Page 4 of 8

Option 2 Do the Right Thing $2,000,000 Area Clean-Up Synthetic turf football/soccer field Six lane All-weather track Tennis courts and open field area Site-work and Landscaping, Site Fencing, Etc.

5 Option 2 Do the Right Thing $2,000,000 Area Clean-Up Synthetic turf football/soccer field Six lane All-weather track Tennis courts and open field area Site-work and Landscaping, Site Fencing, Etc. Grandstand for 4,000 people Service building & locker rooms, bathrooms, squash courts 3000 SF Retail space for (Restaurant and shop(s)) Elevated Walkways Indoor Concrete Parking Structure (200 Cars x 16k per spot) $2,600,000 $1,600,000 $6,000,000 $1,200,000 $900,000 Subtotal Add 20% Contingency Total Estimated Costs $3,200,000 $17,500,000 $2,900,000 $20,400,000 Page 5 of 8

6 Option 3 Go Long on Parking $2,000,000 Area Clean-Up Synthetic turf football/soccer field Six lane All-weather track Tennis courts and open field area Site-work and Landscaping, Site Fencing, Etc. Grandstand for 4,000 people Service building & locker rooms, bathrooms, squash courts 3000 SF Retail space for (Restaurant and shop(s)) Elevated Walkways Indoor Robotic Parking System (500 cars x 24k a spot) $2,600,000 $1,600,000 $6,000,000 $1,200,000 $900,000 Subtotal Add 20% Contingency Total Estimated Costs $12,000,000 $26,300,000 $4,700,000 $31,000,000 Page 6 of 8

7 Option 4- Start from Scratch (Shoot for the Moon) A Texas town recently voted to bond and build a $68.2 million stadium for high school football which shows what can happen when a city is willing to invest in community, recreation, and youth. While everything may be bigger in Texas, our vision for Memorial Field is big as well. Mount Vernon is also a city of big dreamers and we invite and encourage developers, businesses, and professional sports teams to offer an alternative, yet responsible vision for Memorial Field. With numerous major national retailers as neighbors such as Target, BestBuy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, Petco, and TJ Maxx bordering the site, Memorial Field is a proven and profitable commercial hub. The site has approximately twelve acres of land and access to millions of regional consumers within a 25-mile radius. Memorial Field fronts the Hutchinson River Parkway, borders New York City with connections to three Metro North Stations, two subways, and is a 20-minute drive to major international airports. This makes Memorial Field the premier location in Westchester County. On Picking a Prudent Option for Memorial Field The Thomas Administration is committed to the revitalization of Memorial Field as a family friendly destination. After thousands of days closed, we pledge to return the park to a productive state for the people of Mount Vernon. At this point in time, we believe that the most fiscally prudent policy for the community is Option 2: Do the Right Thing. The conservative cost estimate provides an affordable and realistic plan which salvages the historic integrity of the stadium while expanding parking and athletic sports at the precious park. It also assumes that Mount Vernon will not receive any financial help from outside funding sources, a fact which is highly unlikely. As such, Option 2 appears to be the optimal choice that Mount Vernon can afford if the project advances solely on the city s dime. It is important to note that Option 2 creates new connections to Memorial Field from Target and BestBuy parking lots via an aerial walkway as well as adds thousands of square feet of commercial space at the public park. The new stadium will be a space for a variety of athletic competitions spanning squash, handball, tennis, football, soccer and more and will restore Memorial Field as the premier athletic facility in the Hudson Valley. Mount Vernon s historic reputation as a media and entertainment pioneer will also be reestablished as major concert events will take place in the same space that the Jackson 5, Mean Joe Green, Dick Clark, and Nina Simone once blessed with their presence. The rise of wearable athletic devices (such as Fitbit and AppleWatch) presents an even bigger, brighter future for a healthier Mount Vernon and sports/tech enthusiasts. Now routine recreational activities can connect with the new economy companies that use urban settings as business space and potentially integrate data with large consumer patterns from neighboring retailers. The green space will finally give Mount Vernon room to breathe, but also serve as a magnet for creative, fun, innovative events to take place. The rise of Memorial Field means an energized economy powering a healthy future for Mount Vernon, the City of Hope. Page 7 of 8

8 How do we pay? There is no doubt that Mount Vernon must make an investment in a Memorial Field in order to properly remediate the damage and revitalize the park. The key question is how best to raise the necessary funds without clobbering property tax payers. Based on Option 2, conservative estimates indicate the city must spend approximately $11 million to fix the Field. Assuming a public bond is passed by the voters, this translates into about $3.10 per month, roughly $37 dollars on the annual tax bill. The cost of sacrificing a few sodas a month carries the potential to create a new field of dreams, a new quality of life in Mount Vernon. Next Steps Giving new life to our victimized public park may seem to be a monumental task but we know that if we come together as a city, we can get it done. That is why Mayor Richard Thomas has created a Memorial Field Engagement Team. We are drafting key stakeholders and community members who are willing to dedicate their time and energy to bringing our field back. This playbook is designed for players who want to join the Mount Vernon Memorial Field Engagement team. Enclosed is a breakdown of developments that have occurred around Memorial Field over the past 2,500 + days. To join us send your contact information to mclark@cmvny.com or call us at We look forward to completing Memorial Field within the next few years and restoring it as the crown jewel of Mount Vernon. DOWNLOAD THE FULL PLAN: Page 8 of 8

MEMORIAL FIELD PLAYBOOK

Overview MEMORIAL FIELD PLAYBOOK Families used to run together around the track, grab a hot dog from the concession stand, play soccer, and fly kites. Cheerleaders used to cheer on our sports teams. Mount