This time, it’s different: Soccer stadium may end up in Bronx after all

The owners of the Major League Soccer franchise New York City Football Club had hoped to build a stadium for the team in the South Bronx back in 2013, but negotiations with the city fell apart. Five years later, they may be getting another bite at the apple.

The stadium would be part of a project from Maddd Equities and Joy Construction by East 153rd Street and River Avenue, according to the New York Times. The multibillion-dollar development would span 20 acres and include up to 3,000 affordable apartments, a hotel and conference center, a park, a school, office space and shops.

Maddd Equities and Joy Construction would build the housing, the hotel and the park, and they would lease land to the soccer team for its stadium. The companies already have an agreement to buy the GAL Manufacturing factory on East 153rd Street and have a tentative agreement to buy or lease a large parking garage across the street, along with multiple other River Avenue parking lots that Bronx Parking Development Company owns.

However, the deal is far from finalized, and city officials have also been talking to NYCFC about putting the stadium at Willets Point in Queens next to Citi Field.

Maddd Equities is also planning a pair of affordable housing projects in the South Bronx at 1159 and 1184 River Avenue.

A partnership led by Related Companies also submitted plans to Empire State Development in April for a project in the South Bronx that would include a home arena for NYCFC. The team currently plays its games at Yankee Stadium.

Eli Weiss of Joy Construction told the Times that their location would be a good fit for a soccer stadium.

“We think the stadium is added value to the entire neighborhood,” said Mr. Weiss, “but our core is housing and commercial development. That’s what we know how to do. But the stadium makes sense given where it is.” [NYT] – Eddie Small