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Apr 5, 5:36 PM EDT

Yankees' plan for new stadium clears another hurdle

By KAREN MATTHEWS
Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- The City Council on Wednesday approved several key aspects of the New York Yankees' plan to build an $800 million stadium next to the team's historic home.

The 45-2 vote clears the way for some of the team's land-use plans, including a takeover of two public parks as a site for the new stadium.

"This is a day to celebrate," said Councilman Oliver Koppell, who noted that only a few years ago the team was talking about leaving the Bronx. "The Yankees, for the foreseeable future, for our children and our grandchildren, will be the Bronx Bombers."

Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who was a vocal opponent of the New York Jets' plan to build a stadium in her district on Manhattan's west side, said the Yankees' plan is a good one by comparison because it includes new parkland and a new commuter train station.

It has been only 10 months since the Yankees unveiled the plans for the new ballpark; the project has moved with blazing speed.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion have given it a thumbs up. The city's planning commission signed off on it. Union officials jumped on board, saying it would create jobs.

Wednesday's vote came only a few hours after the transaction was approved by the council's land use committee.

The team's road hasn't been entirely obstacle free.

Some City Council members had criticized the proposal, saying it would not do enough to ease traffic or poverty in the Bronx.

"I don't believe this is the best deal for the community. I believe this is the best deal for the Yankees," said Councilwoman Helen Foster, whose district neighbors the stadium.

Stadium critics were displeased with the loss of the parks, saying the plan to replace the lost acreage with new green space elsewhere was inadequate.

Some also have attacked the idea of taxpayer funding for the richest team in baseball. The city and state have committed to spending $215 million, but opponents have said they believe the public's share of the project could climb as high as $400 million.

That issue will be the subject of Monday discussions by the council's finance committee, which is considering whether to help finance the stadium by issuing tax-exempt bonds.

The Yankees have promised a variety of amenities to the Bronx to sweeten the deal, including thousands of free tickets for community groups.

The team hopes to start construction as soon as this spring on the 53,000-seat stadium.