Norman Siegel, former NYCLU director, is taking the city to court today on behalf of Harlem residents opposed to the city’s plan for sports fields on Randall's Island. The city is building 63 new fields on the island in addition to the 36 fields already there; the construction is being partially financed by a consortium of private schools who will be given exclusive access to most of the fields between 3pm and 6pm on weekdays.
The project broke ground over the summer and is expected to be completed in 2009; the schools have agreed to pay $52 million of an the estimated $70 million cost. Opponents, who include Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and NYC Parks Advocates, say the deal amounts to an unfair pay-for-play policy which would bar less affluent children from the fields.
Not so fast says Richard Davis, chairman of the Randall's Island Sports Foundation: “Right now maybe two fields are available for public schools. After this project is done, 20 will be.” Ultimately the case could swing on the plaintiffs’ charge that the city circumvented the community board and City Council to approve the private school partnership. The plan was green-lighted by the city's Franchise Concession and Review Committee, which is in Bloomberg’s pocket.
