Editorial Review
Citi Field, the new baseball stadium under construction for the New York Mets next to Shea Stadium in Flushing New York, will be ready for opening day in Spring. Designed by Kansas City-based HOK Sport, an architectural firm specializing in the design of public assembly spaces and planning of major special events, Citi Field will cost approximately $850 million to build, with $450 million of the costs being subsidized by public funds.
On March 18, 2006 the New York Mets unveiled the official model for the new stadium and eight months later, on November 13, 2006, announced that the stadium would be called Citi Field, named for Citigroup Inc. The financial services company will pay $20 million dollars a year to the park for 20 years, making it the second major league sports venue in the area named for a corporate sponsor (the other being the Izod Center in New Jersey).
Originally planned as part of New York City's 2012 summer Olympics bid, the stadium features unprecedented sightlines, amenities, and comfort for Mets fans, sports fans and visitors to the New York metropolitan area. Citi Field will feature natural grass, seating capacity for approximately 45,000 fans (slightly smaller seating capacity than Shea Stadium), and a contoured seating configuration that brings spectators closer to the field on all levels. This feature also provides a more intimate and entertaining experience throughout the park. 42% of the ballpark's seats are located in the Concourse (or lowest) seating level.
The ballpark features some of the widest unobstructed concourses in new sports facilities. Concession stands and restrooms are located within the facility's exterior walls, leaving the circulation areas with uninterrupted views of the field. Wider seats provide enhanced comfort throughout the venue while more space between the rows allows for improved legroom. The Concourse level features a 360-degree, circulatory walkway around the ballpark with expansive field views and ample standing room. Fans throughout the ballpark will have access to multiple sit-down, climate-controlled restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges, a majority of which will provide field views, and a wide range of menu choices.
Inspired by tradition, Citi Field will be clad in brick, limestone, granite and cast stone, with the brick closely resembling the masonry used at Ebbets Field, both in color and texture. Exposed steel will be painted dark blue and the seats will be dark green in tribute to the Polo Grounds.
