"No landmark status for Yankee Stadium" amNY 04/24/06

No landmark status for Yankee Stadium

BY JUSTIN ROCKET SILVERMAN
amNEWYORK STAFF WRITER

April 24, 2006

Despite the decades of history attached to Yankee Stadium, including the distinction of being the first ballpark to be called a "stadium," rather than a "field" or "park," the structure has never been designated a historic landmark.

Landmark status would have protected it from demolition, but state and city agencies agreed last year that a major renovation during 1974 and 1975 had drastically changed the stadium from the 1923 original.

The renovation caused the stadium to lose its signature facade. The playing field also was lowered. Ten rows of seats were added to the upper decks, and three escalator towers were installed on the exterior.

With these and other renovations, officials said the stadium had lost its historic significance and any chance at government protection from demolition