New NYCFC soccer stadium gets critical approval as team unveils latest rendering
New York City FC inched closer to calling Queens its permanent home — securing a crucial approval for a new stadium the same day the professional soccer club unveiled new renderings of the venue.
The City Planning Commission unanimously approved the proposed Willets Point redevelopment that includes a seven-story soccer stadium, as well as 1,400 affordable apartments and retail space.
The next step would be a vote by the City Council before it reaches Mayor Eric Adams, who has voiced supports for the project.
In a flashy video posted online Wednesday, the soccer team revealed renderings of the LED-lit stadium, which will be called The Cube and be located next to Citi Field, where the New York Mets play.
Other new renderings showed different angles of what the “immersive” arena would like.
The sports organization teased that the 25,000-person venue would be open by 2027. It would be the Big Apple’s first-ever soccer specific venue.
The proposal, called Phase II of the Willets Point redevelopment, would also include a 250 room hotel and 2.8 acres of public space. The first phase included the construction of 900 affordable housing units.
“We are one step closer toward scoring a historic goal for Queens,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards as he noted the development would be a “difference maker” for the surrounding neighborhoods of Corona, Flushing and East Elmhurst.
Richards previously recommended approval of the plan with conditions that job opportunities would be offered to locals and infrastructure improvements would be made in the area.
Planning board members lauded the project as they voted in favor with vice-chair Kenneth Knuckles calling the project “monumental” with vast economic potential.
“The Club is grateful that the City Planning Commission voted to approve a transformational project for Willets Point, unlocking the largest 100% affordable housing project in over 40 years, thousands of jobs, and NYC’s first-ever, union-built soccer stadium,” NYCFC vice-chairman Marty Edelman said in a statement.
“NYCFC committed ten years ago to build our stadium in the five boroughs, and today’s vote gets us one step closer to bringing this promise to life in Queens – the World’s Borough will be our home for The World’s Game.”
The team currently plays its home games in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium and at Citi Field.
NYCFC CEO Brad Sims told The Athletic Wednesday the organization wants to “differentiate ourselves” from other New York sports venues.
“I think our grand entrance through the cube is going to be very different from any other kind of sense of arrival, of welcoming to a sports event that any of our fans have ever seen,” Sims said.
“When you’re at our stadium, you’re going to know you’re in New York City,” he added.
