County, City Move Forward On Memorial Field

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Plans to restore and improve Memorial Field, which have been bandied about for more than a decade, are inching forward. However, there are still several entities that have to sign off.

The county's $25 million plan is under review by the Westchester County Board of Legislators. A new agreement must be approved by the lawmakers and the Mount Vernon City Council.

Also, the New York State Department of Conservation must sign off on the contaminated soil remediation. Plus, the city must remove the boulders and debris from under the existing tennis structure.

If all needed approvals are received by April 2020, the county can break ground in May and be ready for Mount Vernon Knights High School football in the fall of 2021, County Executive George Latimer said in an announcement about the progress.

Latimer, who grew up in Mount Vernon, outlined the county's plan to the City Council last week.

The renovation includes:

• NCAA regulation football field, suitable for soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey
• NYSPHSAA certified 8-lane track
• 3,900 seats
• Skateboard park
• Three tennis courts
• Modern locker rooms, public bathrooms

"Mount Vernon is taking its place at the table again in Westchester County," said Mount Vernon Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard in the announcement. "We are committed to strengthening our partnerships and the plans to build Memorial Field are the beginning of a new day for Mount Vernon. Together with the City Council, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, County Legislator Lyndon Williams and other officials we will get this done."

In November of 2008, the City of Mount Vernon and Westchester County settled on an inter-municipal agreement where the County would renovate Memorial Field for the people of Mount Vernon. But even after city officials stopped allowing illegal dumping there — the state Department of Environmental Conservation issued a Consent Order in 2015 about the toxic construction and demolition debris on the field — political in-fighting kept work from happening.

After almost 12 years of regression, both the county and city are eager to move forward, Latimer said.

"For me, Memorial Field is personal. I watched some of my childhood heroes sporting events on that field, I saw major concerts on that field – and I even received my High School diploma on that field," Latimer said. "This is about government stepping up and doing right by the people of Mount Vernon."

Westchester County Legislator Lyndon Williams said residents have waited through many false starts, delays and obstacles. "I want to commend County Executive Latimer and his administration for their focus on this last Legacy Project. I am confident that with the coordination of the City, County and State the remaining obstacles can be removed and we can break ground for New Memorial Field in April."

SEE ALSO: Mount Vernon OKs Contract To Clean Up Memorial Field