Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro and Staten Island Yankees discuss future parking concerns
Concern arises as ticket sales for the 2007 season surge
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro and Staten Island Yankees officials met recently in St. George to discuss the good news that ticket sales are “way up” and the concern that in years to come, a possible parking shortage could be experienced.
“It is just amazing that 55%, or 21 of the 38 games scheduled to be played at the ballpark are close to sold out,” Molinaro said. “This is wonderful news, and a tribute to the creative leadership of the new management team, Mandalay Baseball Properties,” Molinaro said.
“We’re really close to selling out the New York Yankees Old-Timers’ game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark,” Jon Spoelstra, president of Mandalay said. “This first-time-ever event is a bonus for our ticket package buyers including our 5-game all-you-can-eat ticket package. We are very grateful for the Borough President’s assistance in helping us better serve our fans.”
Team officials came to Borough President Molinaro to see if he could help them find potential parking spaces near the Ballpark, and also to discuss how to best encourage the use of public transportation to and from baseball games.
Staten Island Yankee ticket sales are rebounding after declining steadily for the past few seasons. Outreach efforts to encourage more families to spend a night at the ballpark have proved successful, as have outreach efforts to residents in lower Manhattan, who will have the opportunity to patronize our restaurants and local businesses and to take advantage of our beautiful views of New York City.
“Ticket sales are higher than they have been in years. I don’t want a success story to be put at risk because of parking concerns,” Molinaro said. “I’m hopeful that we will have an adequate parking plan in place in the near future, as the Staten Island Yankees are on the move toward great success here in Staten Island,” Molinaro concluded.
May 14, 2007