Dear Elected Representatives,

We, the undersigned community members, write to you today regarding a matter of urgent community importance: the rebuilding of the Van Courtland Stadium.

For many decades, the VCP Stadium has served as a landmark of the area. It is a gathering place for school field days, local exercise groups, and handball players. Every morning and evening it is used for working class people as a shortcut to transfer from the subway to a bus. It has even hosted several art expositions over its life, helping share culture freely and openly.

Despite all of this, the stadium is in bad shape. Years of neglect and disinvestment have left it with deteriorating infrastructure, leaking roofs, outdated facilities, and unsafe seating arrangements that pose genuine risks to public safety. The inside contains asbestos, lead-based paint and other toxic substances. The underlying land creates more long-term issues as flooding in the area gets worse due to climate change. In over 84 years, not enough funding was given to prevent these issues.

We accept that repair is no longer a viable path.

However, we firmly believe this is an opportunity to do something better.

We ask that you commit two concrete actions:

1.      Pledge to allocate funds toward the reconstruction of the VCP Stadium within the next year.

2.      Establish a reasonable, transparent timeline for the project's completion. One that reflects the urgency of losing access to the area due to construction.

This is not merely about replacing a structure. It is about investing in the future of The Bronx. Its construction during the great depression represented a promise of investment into community as a priority of government. But we are the borough of broken promises. At a time when tax breaks for private developers are readily available, we believe equal priority must be given to public spaces that serve everyone.

Instead of pushing a problem to the next generation via a patch job, let us make a new promise. One of dedication and respect for the public. A promise that the public quality of life matters. A promise that The Bronx matters.

A rebuilt stadium will provide a modern environment for students, athletes, and everyday residents who rely on this space. A revitalized venue will also attract larger events, generating additional revenue for small local businesses. Additionally, the construction period can also be used to add amenities for the track and field.

We will not accept an extended, undefined, waiting period for the possibility of improvement. Our community deserves better, and we are united in demanding action now.

We respectfully urge you to champion this project and demonstrate your commitment to the constituents you serve.

Sincerely,

Community Members in Support of a Better and More Beautiful Bronx