Overview
In the shadows of the old and new Yankee Stadium, a program of greening and infrastructure upgrade projects were completed to offer new amenities to the neighborhood and improve utilities and access. LiRo provided construction management (CM/Build) services for the following projects – construction of a new waterfront park; two new ballfields; rehabilitation and renovation of Building J, a historic building that achieved LEED Gold certification; rehabilitation of the retaining wall and sidewalk widening near Yankee Stadium; and the installation of a new 20″ water main and a 36″ sewer main.
About the Project
The main component of this program was Mill Pond Park, a new 10-acre waterfront park created along the Harlem River. It provides 16 tennis courts, picnic and sand play areas, an outdoor classroom, and an esplanade with overlooks to the waterfront. Restoration of the 25,800 sf historic Building J within the park entailed the construction of a 8,800 sf green roof, a café, locker rooms, and a public restrooms. P.S. 29, received a new regulation Little League (synthetic turf) baseball field, and new basketball courts, handball courts, and bleachers. The West Bronx Recreation Facility received a new regulation Little League baseball field that also serves as a soccer field. 50′ netting was used in the outfield to prevent baseballs from entering the expressway. Additional work was performed along the Macombs Dam Bridge sidewalk and 161st Street retaining walls adjacent to the new Yankee Stadium. In addition, improvements included the installation of a new 20″ water main down Jerome Avenue and 161st Street, and a 36″ sewer main along the Major Deegan Expressway service road and 157th Street for the NYCDEP.
Project Challenges & Solutions
LiRo was involved in coordinating the work for and under jurisdictions of multiple state and city agencies. These projects were planned around the New York Yankees’ baseball season, and the scheduled opening of the new stadium. LiRo developed construction schedules that sequenced work to accommodate the sports schedule, meeting the opening day deadline for each season. LiRo was also involved with coordinating work performed by Related for the shopping complex adjacent to Mill Pond Park.
