MEMORIAL FIELD PLAYBOOK

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Harold O’Brien’
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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.

2 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 Vernon formed many bonds at Memorial Field over the years. Built in 1930, Memorial Field was, in essence, our Yankee Stadium. It has over twelve acres of land, is accessible right from a major highway, and sits at the intersection of Sandford Boulevard and Garden Avenue. During its glory years, Memorial Field saw the likes of The Jackson 5 and Nina Simone perform, the Mean Joe Green Super Bowl Commercial filmed on-site, and Mount Vernon s own Dick Clark entertain the crowds. For decades, Memorial Field was a major commercial and cultural hub and was the pride of Mount Vernon. It used to be the city s preeminent venue for major concerts, intense sports competitions, and graduation ceremonies for Mount Vernon High School. The crown jewel of Mount Vernon, Memorial Field was a place where character was built, dreams were realized, and victories achieved. Unfortunately, in recent years it has succumbed to criminal activity and fallen into disrepair, having become a site for illegal and toxic dumping. While we know that those who sought to destroy our field will be brought to justice someday, we must take bold and immediate steps to commence with a comprehensive restoration and revitalization of our treasured, iconic stadium. Now, the situation is critical. The New York State Department of Environment Conservation has confirmed considerable levels of contamination and toxic waste at Memorial Field, subsequently placing the city under an administrative consent order. We cannot ignore this hazardous and disturbing situation any longer. We must clean up Memorial Field or face severe fines and penalties. Page 2 of 8

How Long? Memorial Field has been closed for six years. In other words, Mount Vernonites have been denied access to, and enjoyment of, their land in excess of 2,500 days.

Number of Days 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 Major Project Comple9on (in Days) Memorial Field New Yankee Stadium Chrysler Building Barclays Center Empire State Building How Much Is It Going to

3 How Long? Memorial Field has been closed for six years. In other words, Mount Vernonites have been denied access to, and enjoyment of, their land in excess of 2,500 days. It is also a sad commentary that, combined, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Barclays Center, and the new Yankee Stadium were all erected in less time! Number of Days 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1, Major Project Comple9on (in Days) Memorial Field New Yankee Stadium Chrysler Building Barclays Center Empire State Building 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. 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 to be entertain, relax, shop, and dine. Why Will It Cost So Much? The level of contamination and toxic dumping that occurred at Memorial Field is extensive and will cost millions to make it right. This is money the city has no choice but to spend, as the situation has now escalated from one of neglect and unsightliness to that of an urgent health and safety matter. As previously stated, the NYS Department of Environment Conservation has placed the city under an administrative consent order and the time to sit back, deliberate, and kick the proverbial can down the road has passed us by. We must act now and brace ourselves for the sizable monetary commitment required to remediate Memorial Field. To that end, the estimated clean-up cost as mandated by the NYS DEC is upwards of two million dollars (note this unforeseen cost has been factored into each option). Following are detailed cost breakdowns for each option. Page 3 of 8

4 Option 1 Do Nothing (a.k.a. the bare minimum approach) Area Clean-Up (mandated) $2,000,000 Synthetic turf football/soccer field Six lane All-weather track Tennis courts and open field area $2,600,000 Site-work and Landscaping, Site Fencing, Etc. $1,600,000 Grandstand for 4,000 people Service building & locker rooms, bathrooms, squash courts $6,000,000 Subtotal $12,200,000 Add 20% Contingency $2,000,000 Total Estimated Costs $14,200,000 Page 4 of 8

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

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

7 Option 4 Start from Scratch (a.k.a. the optimal approach) A Texas town recently voted to bond and build a $68.2 million stadium for high school football. This shows what can happen when a city is willing to invest in community, recreation, and youth. While everything may seem bigger in Texas, our vision for Memorial Field is big and bold as well. Mount Vernon is also a city replete with those who dare to dream big, and we invite and encourage developers, businesses, and professional sports teams to offer an alternativeyet-attainable vision for Memorial Field. With numerous major national retailers as neighbors (Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, Petco, TJ Maxx), the site of Memorial Field is a proven and profitable commercial hub. In fact, the site has approximately twelve acres of land and offers 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 mere 20-minute drive to major international airports. This makes Memorial Field an ideal confluence of commercial and recreational activity with boundless potential for prosperity. On Picking a Prudent Option for Memorial Field The Thomas Administration is committed to the revitalization of Memorial Field as a familyfriendly destination. After thousands of days languishing in disrepair, Mayor Thomas pledges to see the restoration and revitalization of our iconic park to fruition. At this point in time, we believe that the most fiscally prudent policy for the community is Option 2: Do the Right Thing. Option 2 s conservative cost estimate provides an affordable and realistic plan that salvages the historic integrity of the stadium while expanding parking and accommodating additional athletic competition (i.e. football, handball, soccer, tennis, track & field and squash). It also assumes the unlikely scenario that Mount Vernon will not receive any outside financial help. As such, Option 2 appears to be Mount Vernon s most prudent and affordable choice if the project is to advance solely on the city s dime. It is important to note that Option 2 creates new connections to Memorial Field from Target s and Best Buy s respective parking lots via an aerial walkway. What s more, it calls for the inclusion of thousands of additional square feet demarcated as commercial space within the park. Aside from serving as a venue for an unparalleled variety of sporting events, the new Memorial Field will quickly transform itself into the premier outdoor athletic facility in the entire Hudson Valley. Simply put, Mount Vernon s undisputed reputation as a music, sports, and entertainment mecca will be galvanized as major competitions and concerts are performed in the same space where the Jackson 5, Mean Joe Green, Dick Clark, and Nina Simone once graced and thrilled us with their presence. Furthermore, the advent of wearable athletic devices such as Fitbit and AppleWatch presents an even bigger, brighter future for a healthier Mount Vernon and sports/tech enthusiasts. Just imagine a process by which routine recreational activities are able to sync with New Economy companies using urban settings such as Memorial Field, potentially integrating this data with neighboring retailers corresponding tracking of consumer patterns. Aside from the green space affording Mount Vernonites room to recreate and flourish, Memorial Field can likewise attract Page 7 of 8

8 creative, fun, and innovative events that showcase the increasingly popular link between athletics and technology. The return of Memorial Field means an energized economy powering a healthy future for Mount Vernon, a community that possesses an inordinate supply of hope, ingenuity, determination, and aspiration. How do we pay? There is no doubt that Mount Vernon must make a substantial investment to properly restore and revitalize Memorial Field. The key question is how best to raise the necessary funds without clobbering taxpayers. Based on Option 2, conservative estimates indicate the city must spend approximately $11 million to revamp Memorial Field. Assuming a public bond is passed by the voters, this translates into as little as $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-and-drastically-improved quality of life for Mount Vernon and arguably the Greater New York/Metropolitan Region. Next Steps Giving new life to our victimized public park may seem to be a monumental task, yet we know that if we come together as a city, we can and will 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 esteemed ranks of 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, simply 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 making it the crown jewel of Mount Vernon once again. DOWNLOAD THE FULL PLAN: Page 8 of 8

MEMORIAL FIELD PLAYBOOK

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