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Welcome to the page for F.A.Q. Page for Save the Gate 2!
SAVE THE YANKEE
GATE 2 COMMITTEE
FAQs (Frequently Asked
Questions) |
-What is the Save Gate 2
effort about?
The original 2005
plan to preserve a significant part of
the original Yankee Stadium was changed recently to increase the replacement
parklands.
Most
Bronx community residents, NYC residents and NY Yankee fans are NOT aware that
the current plan is for “The House that Ruth Built” to
be totally demolished.
Our
objective is to work with the Bronx Community, the NYC Department of Parks &
Recreation and the NY Yankees in saving a small,
historic,
and architecturally beautiful
portion
of the old Yankee
Stadium exterior wall at Gate 2.
Located
near the intersection of River
Avenue and 161st
Street, it will serve as a dramatic gateway into the new Heritage
Field.
-Why are you trying to
Save Gate 2?
We wish to recognize and
remember, through the preservation of Gate 2, the historical, cultural and
architectural importance of the old Yankee Stadium.
This
Gate stands proudly for all the fans, players and individuals who visited played
and worked within her majestic confines.
With
the move across the street to the New Yankee Stadium, this tangible “bridge”
from the old and new will enhance that great continuum of Yankee history for the
enjoyment of generations to come.
-What is the historical
significance of Gate 2?
Gate 2
is the most architecturally significant element remaining from the original
1920’s era ballpark.
Gate
4 (behind homeplate) and Gate
6 (behind rightfield) were significantly modified as part of the 1973-76
renovations.
In fact, the
Gate 2 image
was
chosen to represent
The
Stadium in the Official Yankee Stadium
Last Season
1923-2008 logo.
Today, Gate 2 is 80% original and the small
modifications made to the top portion are compatible with the 1920’s design.
-Isn’t it already too late
to save Gate 2?
NO!
While
this is urgent, it still can be isolated and protected from demolition.
As
of late
August 2009, final design plans for
Heritage Field
are only 50% complete and heavy demolition will
begin with the removal of
the Loge and then the Upper Tier.
The exterior walls will then be pulled inward using
bulldozers.
-Will preserving Gate 2
take away from the replacement parklands?
No, Gate 2 would not take up significant space. According to the Parks Department plan for Heritage Field, there is to be a sloped walk area in the current location of Gate 2. If preserved, this would provide an area with steps (also already in place on the Stadium site) and a majestic entry point to the park itself. Heritage Field is to be a 10 acre (435,600 square feet) park site. Gate 2 would be approximately 1,000 square feet and at a sloped entrance point currently planned. When all of this is taken into account, the monument would take up a minuscule amount of space.
-What is the environmental
impact of the Gate 2 monument?
The gate is in a position where any shade would fall to the North, over 161st St. and not over the planned Heritage Field or over any planned trees. Also, with the current louvers and closed up windows re-opened, breezes would be able to flow through the monument.
-Will this effort further
delay the completion of Heritage Field?
No, preserving Gate 2 will
not change the NYC Parks Plan timeline for completion by Fall-Late 2011.
-What are the benefits for
all of the stakeholders (residents, local businesses NYC, others)?
Preserving Gate 2 would
create a dignified monument to the rich history of the Bronx, the Yankees and
all that happened within Yankee Stadium's once majestic confines.
Commemorating
such a celebrated piece of history as a grand entrance to Heritage
Field
would also serve to make the monument a sort of Arch
of
Triumph
for the borough of
The
Bronx and would most definitely be a tourist
destination, encouraging
significant business
to
many local
establishments all year long.
Indeed, it
could be made a focal point of the community off season enhancing local business
revenues.
What is the structural
integrity of Gate 2 and what would it take to preserve it as a permanent
monument?
The current structural
integrity of historic Gate 2 is sound and could be preserved by using existing
steel and concrete supports as well as constructing some minimal newer bracing
to ensure its safety and stability for many years to come.
This
bracing would not interfere with the monument itself and would be limited to a
very discrete amount of new materials.
Made of super-hard Edison Portland cement, Gate 2
is almost indestructible.
-How much will this cost
to preserve and then maintain?
Assessments from several architects and
structural engineering firms have determined this
would be a fairly
simple/straightforward project and
estimated that the
cost would be
a small fraction
(less than 2%) of the overall cost to
reconstruct the
original stadium and build the
replacement parklands.
The Gate as a free standing structure would require
minimal on-going maintenance.
-What is the Yankees
position and role in this?
To date, the Yankees have
declined to comment on the proposal.
The
parklands replacement is a NYC Parks effort and responsibility.
-Who has been approached and contacted already?
Mayor Bloomberg, NYC
Department of
Parks,
Bronx Officials,
The Yankees, celebrities, major and local media
outlets, etc.
Below
is a partial list of
individuals contacted:
NYC Officials
Michael Bloomberg-Mayor
Adrian Benepe-Commissioner,
Hector Aponte-Commissioner,
Bronx Parks
Ruben Diaz,
Jr.-
-Ms. D. Lee Ezell-Chairperson
-Mr. Jose Rodriguez-District Manager
Ken Podziba-Commissioner,
NYC Sports Commission
Lloyd Ultan-The
Yankees
The Steinbrenner Family and
all Yankees Executive Management
Marty Appel
Yogi Berra
Jim Bouton
David Cone
Whitey Ford
Derek Jeter
Don Larsen
Bobby Richardson
Moose Skowron
Dave Winfield
Key Individuals
Babe Ruth’s Family-Linda
Ruth Tosetti
Billy Crystal
Foley’s-Shaun Clancy
Rudy Guiliani
Mickey
Mantle’s-Bart Alexander
Turn 2 Foundation
Media
ABC TV-Eyewitness News
Baseball Digest Live
ESPN
Fox & Friends News
News 12 Cablevision
River Avenue Blues-YES
Network
Sports Illustrated
The NY Daily News
The NY Post
The NY Times
WCBS 880 AM
WINS 1010 AM
WGBB 1240 AM
WRCR 1300 AM
Yahoo Sports
-What has been the
reaction and feedback received?
Overwhelmingly positive,
15,000+
website hits, 450+
Guest Book
comments and
hundreds of
supportive
e-mails
received.
-Where can I get more
information?
On our web-site you will
find:
-our complete proposal,
including video, pictures, and graphics
-articles
-recorded interviews/radio
broadcasts
-contact
information for
our committee
via e-mail
-What
is the call to action, next steps,
and how can I help?
The most
important thing to do right now is be active!
What are you interested
in doing?
1)
Please tell your family and interested friends
-Expanding our network of
supporters is critical.
-Do you know anyone that can
influence the outcome and Save Gate 2?
2)
Write letters, e-mails and make telephone calls
Letters
to the Mayor,
which can be downloaded directly from our website, as well as letters to any
other NYC
officials (NYC Parks Department, Bronx Borough Officials, Council members,
Senators, Representatives), media outlets
(both local and national),
and the Yankees
are not only simple but can help spread the word
in a big way and get this outstanding piece of American history preserved for
future generations!
Writing
letters are as easy as
downloading,
printing, signing and mailing them out to the
respective party.
3)
Contact a committee member via e-mail or telephone NOW!
Mark Costello
|
Chris Jones
chris_jones86@comcast.net
804-441-2112 |
Richard
Lillard 480-399-2310 |
John Trush
908-963-2840 |
Thanks for your
continued support and help!