New York City Councilman Francisco Moya discusses New York City FC stadium project
Courtesy: NYCFC
By Chris Tsakonas
QUEENS, N.Y. - Before New York City FC’s 2-0 win over DC United at Citi Field on Saturday night, the club held a ceremony celebrating the approval of the club’s new stadium project by the New York City Council. In addition to the stadium, the project will also feature 2,500 affordable housing units, a school and retail space.
New York City Councilman Francisco Moya, who represents Queens’ 21st district on the New York City Council, was on hand for the ceremony along with New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Here is the full roundup of what Moya had to say about the project.
On the impact the project will have on the community beyond soccer:
“I think this is going to be a real economic engine for a lot of folks. It's not just a soccer stadium, like I've been saying. It's not just housing. It's going to be a real destination. It's a place where people are going to be able to live and work. People can come and raise families here, but [it is] also bringing the value of what New York City Football Club is all about [and] what New York City is all about. Formulating this partnership here that's building a brand new neighborhood in this community here is going to be something very special.”
“I think what it contributes to the outside community is it's just another added part of the city of New York. As we continue to grow as a city and the diversity that we have here, it's essential that we continue to build and grow the way we're doing it - and what's the best unifier in the world? Football. I think this is what it all brings in and that's the contribution that I think we'll be able to make throughout.”
On the process that brought the stadium project to the point of City Council approval:
“I think this has been a long process. It's been about over a decade working on this. For me, it was a dream of mine to have, but I think the more important thing is once we found the right partnership here, it really started to move very quickly. We did this the right way [with] the Willets Point task force with advocates [and] a lot of stakeholders about seeing what they wanted to see built in this area here. What came out of it is what you're seeing here.”
“When the New York City Football Club stepped in, it was great because we were able to really solidify the partnership and bring in the Mayor {Eric Adams] who has also shared the same vision as I have. Three administrations tried to do this and it couldn't have been done before. We brought in Mayor Adams, and we got it done in his first term.”
On the nearby Willets Point casino project:
“They’re two separate projects - but yes, I've come out in support of the project. They've been doing a lot of things that are important by coming out to the community, doing a lot of scoping projects, and seeing what the community wanted to see.”
On how special the moment is for him:
“It is a pretty special moment. I feel very proud. It's something that is a little surreal to be honest with you, but the greatest thing is that it's happening and I get to share it not just with myself and my family, but with the people that I actually grew up in [and in] the community that I call home. It's gonna be a special moment when that stadium gets built.”