Yankees' stadium plan clears city council hurdle

The City Council on Wednesday approved several key aspects of the New York Yankees' plan to build an $800 million stadium next door to the team's historic home.

 

The 45-2 vote clears the way for some of the team's land-use plans, including the use of two public parks as a site for the new stadium.

 

"This is a day to celebrate," said Councilman Oliver Koppell, who noted that only a few years ago the team was talking about leaving the Bronx. "The Yankees, for the foreseeable future, for our children and our grandchildren, will be the Bronx Bombers."

 

It has been only 10 months since the Yankees unveiled the plans for the new ballpark; the project has moved with blazing speed.

 

Wednesday's vote came only a few hours after the transaction was approved by the council's land use committee. The council's finance committee is scheduled to consider on Monday whether to help finance the stadium by issuing tax-exempt bonds.