by: Jessica Sheridan Assoc. AIA LEED AP
View from the Grand Concourse down 161st Street. On the left: the existing Yankee Stadium. On the right: the new Yankee Stadium under construction.
Jessica Sheridan
I have been spending some time doing research on the Grand Concourse, and have been struck by the presence of Yankee Stadium around 161st Street. From the Grand Concourse, one can see both the old and new stadiums, and even though the new mimics the old, there is a significant difference — the new turns its back on the community.
The South Bronx is transitioning. Parks are being improved, street plantings are being placed along the Grand Concourse, the Paradise Theater is being restored, and the Bronx Museum of the Arts opened a new addition by Arquitectonica in 2006. On a typical Saturday afternoon on the Concourse at 161st Street kids are skateboarding in Lou Gehrig Park and families are picnicking in Joyce Kilmer Park. Looking down 161st Street, the stadiums hover on either side.
Looking to the south, the old stadium opens up to the street. From the Concourse, one can see the seats and the building’s coliseum shape projects shouts from the fans up the hill. The excitement from the ballpark can be felt blocks away; the energy extends beyond the stadium walls. Looking to the north, however, the new stadium is oriented away from the street. No views, no noise, no excitement.
Even if the city replaces the old stadium with a park for the community (replacing the one it took away), what message does it send to the community when the new structure literally pulls away from the neighborhood? On top of it all, ticket prices are being raised, views from the subway are being eliminated, and the number of bleacher seats will be reduced to accommodate more corporate luxury boxes. Yes, the Bronx may be improving, but I believe building design should not take the form of elitism, excluding those impacted by it on a daily basis.