Mt. Vernon, New York - Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr. and Recreation Commissioner Peter J. Neglia announced that the Memorial Field project is finally moving forward.

On Tuesday, August 23, 2011, the Mount Vernon Board of Estimate approved the contract for Part I or the demolition phase for the Memorial Field. The $12.7 million renovation of Memorial Field has pushed forward despite attempts to derail its progress.

Mayor Young announced that Mount Vernon based Avanti Building and Construction Corporation has been awarded the contract to perform Phase I of the Memorial Field project, which includes demolish the old stadium and prep the field for construction. Phase I is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 29th, 2011.

“Citizens have been waiting a long time for this day. Avanti is a Mount Vernon based company with an outstanding reputation. Part I or the demolition phase is expected to be completed in three months. At the same time, we will continue planning meetings for Part II or the stadium construction, which we expect to be completed next year. Memorial Field is the largest public recreational project in the history of Westchester County. My administration will do everything we can to keep moving this development forward and provide economic opportunities for the city,” said Mayor Young.

Memorial Field has been a municipal park since the early 1930’s, but was signifi­cantly deteriorating and had structural and environmental concerns. The Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr. and Westchester County Board of Legislators Vice Chairman Lyndon Williams envisioned converting the site into the premier sports and entertainment venue in Westchester County. The Stadium at Memorial Field facility will provide active and pas­sive recreation for all ages and will serve as a critical economic engine for the downtown Mount Vernon Area.

Westchester County Board of Legislators Vice Chairman Lyndon Williams said, “I am delighted that the residents of Mount Vernon will finally witness tangible evidence of the hard work and efforts we have made to deliver on the promise of the rebirth of Memorial Field into a state-of-the art entertainment facility like no other in Westchester County. Despite the obstacles and roadblocks placed in the path of its progress, the hopes and dreams of Mount Vernon residents for this historic symbol will be realized. I thank Mayor Clinton Young for his quiet but effective leadership in overcoming the obstacles to get this project done.”

“We at the Recreation Department have been working tirelessly to deliver this project for the City of Mount Vernon and its residents of all ages,” said Commissioner Neglia.  “Additionally, we are excited to have this realistic timeline to drive home Part I of this historic project for the residents of the city of Mount Vernon and Part II.  At the end of the day, people in Mount Vernon will have a stadium they can be proud of and generates revenue for the city.”

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