As he watched FC Barcelona practice on the field at Giants Stadium on Friday night, Nick Sakiewicz, president of AEG New York, was thinking about the future.
He was thinking about the day the New York Red Bulls would play the likes of Barcelona in their own stadium in Harrison, N.J. And that dream will move closer to reality when the Red Bulls and AEG, developers and managing partners of the venue, hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 19 in Harrison.
"There are three reasons we are building the stadium in Harrison," Sakiewicz said. "One, the soccer history. Two, it's easy to get to. It's way more accessible from Manhattan. Three, is the community. They really want us there. They're the reason the project survived."
Red Bull Park, which will be completed in the summer of 2008, will seat 25,000 fans for soccer, and 30,000 for live concerts. Sakiewicz says the general contractor has yet to be chosen, but a "short list" has been drawn up.
"We wanted to stay true to a soccer-themed park," Sakiewicz said. "It's a very European-style stadium. You're going to be right on top of the pitch."
The $100 million facility will feature a 360-degree canopy covering the majority of the seating area and 63 luxury suites that will be located only 12 rows from the playing surface. Sakiewicz says the roof design sets Red Bull Park apart from the other soccer-specific stadiums that have sprouted up in the United States.
"Only the field will be open to the elements," he said. "It will be loud because of that, which will be a nice home-field advantage."
The stadium will be a major component of the three-million square foot Harrison MetroCentre, and the surrounding area will include residential units and retail space.
According to Sakiewicz, the stadium can be expanded in the future. But right now, the focus is on getting the park built.
"It's a pretty dynamic area," he said. "We want to get that settled first."
Arturo Pardavila III is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
