SI Live- 5050 Skatepark may soon be seeking new location
“We like the building, and the location is awesome, but the rent is ridiculous,” said Ed Pollio, who owns the custom-built 8,000-square-foot recreation center with partner and 5050 Skatepark founder Angelica Popolano.
The surrounding area is quickly transforming, with the opening of Urby, Stapleton’s new 900-unit housing complex — and the Empire Outlets and New York Wheel are quickly rising in nearby St. George.
“Since we first moved there our rent has almost doubled,” said Popolano of the 5050 Skatepark location at 354 Front St. — just a mile from the Staten Island Ferry.
NEW LOCATION PROPOSED
The good news is the skatepark owners already have their eyes set on a new site. Their vision is not a new one, as it is a concept they have had for several years now.
Pollio and Popolano would like to move their park to the historic, vacant hangar at Miller Field, and already have a 26-page proposal and renderings of their plans.
The historic hangar is under the jurisdiction of the federal National Park Service as part of the Island’s Gateway National Recreation Area.
The owners, who first brought their idea to the National Park Service (NPS) in summer 2015, are just waiting for NPS to release a request for proposal (RFP) for the site.
“The current construction effort to save Miller Field Hangar 38 is underway and should be completed by the end of the year,” said Daphne Yun, acting public affairs officer for Gateway National Recreation Area.
Yun noted that a decision about an RFP will be made in 2018.
Borough President Oddo said he agrees with the owners’ plan to “reuse the hanger at Miller Field for active recreation.”
“5050 Skatepark, which is the city’s only indoor skate park, offers a unique service and would be a great addition to the facility,” said Oddo, who added, “Having new and increased sports opportunities on the grounds of Miller Field would encourage more young people to get active while socializing with others, which is always a positive thing.”
A POPULAR SPOT
Will Kane, a 13-year-old Westerleigh resident, has been riding a BMX bike for almost a year now. Heading to 5050 Skatepark each week is one of his favorite things to do.
“Everybody likes the setup there..the ramps are fun. They like to change it up a lot,” said Kane. “Sometimes they build new ramps and sometimes they move them around. It doesn’t ever get boring.”
The young biker said he’d be upset if the park moved to New Dorp, as it’s farther away from where he lives.
He pointed out that many “BMXers” are from the North Shore and some even travel from Manhattan and Brooklyn to the park.
MILLER FIELD LOCATION
However, Popolano pointed out that Miller Field offers a great central location in the borough and is close to all public transportation. The size of the location also provides many opportunities to expand the business.
She said she feels it would be a great place to continue to serve not only as a recreational hotspot but as multi-use facility for the borough.
“We already welcome schools….we do a summer camp, we host fundraisers, music events, art shows, auctions, community meetings, music videos, commercials, movies, birthday parties– we do everything,” she said, adding, “With a larger space, we can expand on everything we do already.”
Renderings done by 5050 Skatepark for the proposed site include space for a community center, live music venue, art building and World War I and II museum, in addition to the skatepark. The plans also include a computer lab and space for rock climbing, according to Popolano.
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