West Side Stadium, Multi-purpose stadium project in West Side, Manhattan, United States.
West Side Stadium was an unbuilt plan for a multipurpose sports facility that would have risen above the rail yards at Hudson Yards on Manhattan's West Side. The design included a roof that could open and close, along with seating for around 75,000 people during regular events and up to 85,000 during potential Olympic competitions.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority began talks with the New York Jets football team in the early 2000s about land rights above the rail yards. The project was rejected by state authorities in 2005 after concerns from politicians and civic groups about funding and neighborhood impact.
The intention to build this project above the site of the Hudson Yards Rail Yards brought debates about the value of public land in such a central Manhattan spot. Many residents felt skeptical about a privately run sports arena in a place that could have accommodated housing, green space, or community facilities instead.
The planned facility would have remained accessible year-round, offering conference and event space during periods outside of scheduled sports seasons. Visitors would have had access to the multipurpose areas even during gaps between game schedules through flexible use of the space.
After the rejection of the project, the New York Jets turned toward New Jersey and eventually shared MetLife Stadium with the New York Giants. This move made the two teams the first instance of two NFL franchises permanently sharing a home stadium outside the city whose name they carry.
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