Harrison dead? http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-18/110006871846140.xml The incoming governor's plans would be a blow to the city of Harrison, which had worked for two years to build a $120 million soccer stadium next to the Passaic River. The latest plan for the stadium relied on $90 million in bonds from the Hudson County Improvement Authority, with the team contributing $30 million. But Codey said despite Harrison's continued efforts, the deal is now dead. "The county doesn't want to back these bonds," he said. Officials in Harrison did not return phone calls seeking comment. A MetroStars executive could not be reached for comment.
The incoming governor's plans would be a blow to the city of Harrison, which had worked for two years to build a $120 million soccer stadium next to the Passaic River. The latest plan for the stadium relied on $90 million in bonds from the Hudson County Improvement Authority, with the team contributing $30 million. But Codey said despite Harrison's continued efforts, the deal is now dead. "The county doesn't want to back these bonds," he said. Officials in Harrison did not return phone calls seeking comment. A MetroStars executive could not be reached for comment.
Re: Harrison dead? This new governor seesm to be on crack. he wants to come in and just muck up and make worse, a money losing situtation in the meadowlands. By him spending 300 million more for the meadowlands instead of turning the srea into a money making tax revenue area that has more than sports he is trying to maintain the status quo. This codey character has a weird agenda I dont understand it. This does suck for the MetroStars. Him cominf in and just saying the Harrison deal is dead seems very premature and it really isnt up to him to decide there is a board that will decide. he is coming to try and ruffle some feathers but I dont see how he is going to get people to support his deal, soncidering the NJSEA is trying to get out of the sports business. This is crazy. I suggest you Metros fans start a letter campaign to his office. Telling him that you dont not support this idea as voters. Its the only way you will get to change his mind.
So Codey's now butting in to save the Meadowlands. Fucking brilliant. OK, that's good. Here's the bad: The feasibility study sucked for AEG, probably. They could pony up the $90 million themselves but it's unlikely given all the political capital expended to date. Remember, this guy is going to be governor for one year before we get Gov Corzine, most likely. The chances of getting a new Meadowlands designed in one year? Less than zero.
Re: Harrison dead? I have a hard time believing that a governor who will only be there one year has the ability to just walk in and change all these plans. I would like to hear from a metro representative on this.
They should move them! As a metros fan, I am sick and tired of this organization playing with our hearts and minds with this whole 60-90 day thing! And now it seems to have all fallen apart. Even if a Metrostar executive came out with a statement, whose to say that we would ever believe him?!! There has been nothing but deception going on with this whole stadium project, and it is now coming to light.
A METRO representative not available to comment.. Wow, I am shocked. Anyway, in a strange sort of way I am glad its dead. I have been listening to fake promises for 3 years now and pretty sick of them. You can find lots of people to blame, but the bottom line is that METRO just don't make it happen. On almost every level that i can think of.
i agree. this is so friggin disheartening if true. we were given so many assurances....that the county approval was pretty much a rubber stamp....blah blah blah.... they even went on about it at the metro awards dinner.... this is truly unbelievable. i expect everything to be put on hold for a few years as far as harrison. the last thing we need is a soccer complex in the meadowlands with artificial turf and football lines for higschool games. as project manager of the stadium construction, nick failed.... he should be fired....enjoy the elevator ride down.
Yeah, let's just take an incoming governor's word for it. Not that he has any ulterior motive in proclaiming the Harrison project dead or anything. Politicians have their own agenda. Let's see how this shakes out. The league has been good about responding to rumors recently, so let's hope they step up today with some type of statement.
And I can say is f-ck, f-ck and f'ck again. F-ck it. But I thought the building of the stadium was a AEG/Hudson County/City of Harrison deal? Not State of New Jersey. The state had nothing to do with it. Right? Or am I wrong? F-ck it. This is worse news than another crappy season we just had.
any chance AEG gives NJ the big FU and funds it themselves? what's 90 million among friends? can't they get a bunch for the naming rights.... IIRC, the galaxy got 70 or so million for naming rights for the HDC?
There's been a dark cloud hanging over this franchise since Caricola's own goal in 1996. The Meadowlands provides nothing but a horrible experience for Metro fans. AEG should consider moving the team to Rochester, Queens, San Antonio, Houston, Seattle, ANYWHERE where they'll be permitted to put down permanent roots where it makes sense. It's never been harder to support this team. NEVER.
You are right, but what Codey says in the article is that the county's not going to float the bonds. He's just the messenger here, apparently. Like I said earlier, they could but I just don't see them giving in on the $90M after pushing for public money for so long. It becomes so much harder for them to get public financing on future projects in other cities if they're seen as picking up the full cost here.
Words of Wisdom from Monty Python Praline: I wish to complain about this parrot what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique. Shopkeeper: Oh yes, the Norwegian Blue. What's wrong with it? Praline: I'll tell you what's wrong with it. It's dead, that's what's wrong with it. Shopkeeper: No, no it's resting, look! Praline: Look my lad, I know a dead parrot when I see one and I'm looking at one right now. Shopkeeper: No, no sir, it's not dead. It's resting. Praline: Resting? Shopkeeper: Yeah, remarkable bird the Norwegian Blue, beautiful plumage, innit? Praline: The plumage don't enter into it -- it's stone dead. Shopkeeper: No, no -- it's just resting. Praline: All right then, if it's resting I'll wake it up. (shouts into cage) Hello Polly! I've got a nice cuttlefish for you when you wake up, Polly Parrot! Shopkeeper: (jogging cage) There it moved. Praline: No he didn't. That was you pushing the cage. Shopkeeper: I did not. Praline: Yes, you did. (takes parrot out of cage, shouts) Hello Polly, Polly (bangs it against counter) Polly Parrot, wake up. Polly. (throws it in the air and lets it fall to the floor) Now that's what I call a dead parrot. Shopkeeper: No, no it's stunned. Praline: Look my lad, I've had just about enough of this. That parrot is definitely deceased. And when I bought it not half an hour ago, you assured me that its lack of movement was due to it being tired and shagged out after a long squawk. Shopkeeper: It's probably pining for the fjords. Praline: Pining for the fjords, what kind of talk is that? Look, why did it fall flat on its back the moment I got it home? Shopkeeper: The Norwegian Blue prefers kipping on its back. Beautiful bird, lovely plumage. Praline: Look, I took the liberty of examining that parrot, and I discovered that the only reason that it had been sitting on its perch in the first place was that it had been nailed there. Shopkeeper: Well of course it was nailed there. Otherwise it would muscle up to those bars and voom. Praline: Look matey (picks up parrot) this parrot wouldn't voom if I put four thousand volts through it. It's bleeding demised. Shopkeeper: It's not, it's pining.
looks bad, but I'm going to try remaining calm. this is the word of a politician. Let's give a little time for the local govt or MLS/Metrostars to comment. I was hoping this would get figured out after the election. If it's not going to happen, better to know now than wait 5 more years. IF AEG has to fund it themselves, would they rather be in Harrison or Meadowlands? I thought Harrison had better access to the city?