Group seeks tax dollars for major venue at Forest Hills tennis center

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City Council member Domenic Recchia and a rendering of the West Side Tennis Club
City officials are considering using tax dollars to renovate the rundown Forest Hills tennis center that hosted the U.S. Open from 1923 through 1977, the New York Daily News reported.

City Council Finance Committee Chairman Domenic Recchia, from Brooklyn, backed a plan by the non-profit Stadium Arts Alliance that would use a public-private partnership to transform the crumbling stadium into a major venue that hosts tennis matches, concerts, art exhibits and even ice hockey.

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The West Side Tennis Club that owns the site had been reviewing bids from developers that sought to raze the existing structure for new condominiums and was expected to pick a winner early next year. Cord Meyer Development was believed to be the front-runner, even though its previous plan was rejected.

But Recchia calls the Stadium Arts Alliance “a victory for the entire community” and local politicians hailed the economic benefits the plan would bring. [NYDN]