Sean - Will the stadium issue be resolved before the new NJ governor is elected? If not, have either candidate announced their support for the MetroStars stadium plan?
Nick Sakiewicz - Our understanding is that the house committee will review the bill on the 6th of September. We expect that the vote will be in favor of the bill passing to make available funding under the senate bill and complete the finance plan for the project in Harrison.

Kevin - Several critics of this project, most notably Jeff Bradley of ESPN Magazine, have suggested that Metro's plan are too extravagant and that you should instead limit yourself to something more modest like Crew Stadium or the modular structure being discussed for Chicago. How do you respond to these critics?
Nick Sakiewicz - We're very confident that our project is better or at least equal in economic impact to the community as any other professional project that's on the table in the Metro area and therefore a 40-50 million dollar stadium is more than affordable and could be eligible for a private and public partnership between the state of New Jersey and Empire Soccer. Having said that, why would we shortchange our fans by building a lesser stadium when we're confident that something more substantial can be done.

Jim - The "town" around the stadium. Will it have residential units? I think there needs to be a residential population there. Otherwise, it is dead outside game nights. Can it support other commuters who drive into Harrison (e.g., dry cleaners, take-home food, groceries, etc.). That will help drive the economic engine and the social fabric of the place.
Nick Sakiewicz - The nightlife around the stadium will be very vibrant. There is over 500,000 square feet of retail which will comprise mostly of restaurants, clubs, pubs and stores. There will be over 2,000 residential units built along the river and 2,000,000 square feet of office area built around main street, and at the end of Main Street will be the stadium.

Craig - When will I see images and a site plan for the proposed stadium development in Aqueduct in New York?
Nick Sakiewicz - Yes, we will release those in the coming months. We're not that far along as we are in New Jersey and we just signed a development agreement with New York Racing Association which own the property at Aqueduct and we're jointly developing the prototype with New York Racing Association and when the development is done, we'll share that information with the public.

Anthony - I think its great a stadium is being pursued. Why Harrison, NJ? Is a major fan base from that area or do you anticipate a greater use of mass transportation? For the fan who needs to drive to the game, I foresee major traffic snarls. Has a traffic study been completed? I do understand the great development occurring in the Newark area is a major factor that deserves major consideration but so should commuting fans be considered. Thank you for the opportunity to be heard.
Nick Sakiewicz - One of the reasons we chose Harrison is because Harrison is the hub of transportation in New Jersey. From east to west you have route 280 which will have a stop in Harrison. From North and South the New Jersey Turnpike is very close to the site with exit 15W being the access point. The Path Station has a stop at Harrison connecting New York City, and most importantly the stadium site is surrounded by neighborhoods filled with tens of thousands of soccer fans. And finally, a transportation study has been done and major upgrades to the roads as well as an off ramp from I-280 will flow into the stadium parking decks.

Clint - Who would own the retail, office, and residential space also created in this project? Would the MetroStars organization own it and try to lease out the space, or would some other authority take control of it? Also, will there be a good bar/tavern/brewery nearby the stadium?
Nick Sakiewicz - The retail this is in the stadium will be controlled by the MetroStars. The 1/2 million square feet that is built along the main street will be built and leased by the Advance Realty Group and yes our plans are to put a sports theme, (mostly soccer) pub inside the stadium.

Steve - I signed a petition that the ESC put together to get the soccer stadium plans added to the upcoming bill. There appeared to be a few hundred other names signed to that petition as well. Do efforts like the ESC's really have an effect on Metro getting closer to building their own stadium?
Nick Sakiewicz - The petition is great and we're grateful to the ESC. However personal letters by individuals to elected officials is more effective.

Tom - In the event that there is no funding from any state/public sources, does this project have any chance of happening via private financing? If so, who would be involved in making this stadium become reality?
Nick Sakiewicz - It's hard to accept why there would be no public participation in a development that generates 12 million dollars a year in annual sales taxes when currently only $470,000 is being generated from that location. There are many other benefits to the public such as thousands of jobs being created, property values increasing, and the local and state economy benefiting. And furthermore, there has been many sports facilities in New Jersey that have been 100% publicly funded, and we are proposing to put in our private equity share so it would be only fair to get our portion of public finance.

Mike - What time frame are you looking at for opening the new stadium, I've heard rumors of 2003 or 2004. Is this correct?
Nick Sakiewicz - 2004

Michael - My comment is that you have done a really great job this season as GM and whole-heartedly deserve GM of the Year. My question about the stadium is, Will there be a price increase for season tickets in the new stadium? I think that maybe a suggestion may be to offer a price break to loyal season ticket holders like myself.
Nick Sakiewicz - There's been no determination of the pricing structure for the new stadium, and that won't be determined until we figure out how much private investment will need to go into building the stadium.

Mel - How will the layout of any new stadium add to the experience of watching a soccer match live?
Nick Sakiewicz - The atmosphere will be increased, the seats will be closer to the field than in Giants Stadium and there are fewer seats (25-35,000 seats). The field will be immaculate - no football lines or major potholes for players to turn ankles in.

Mel - Rumor has it that Crew Stadium in Columbus was based at least in part on the Bay Arena, home of Bayer Leverkusen in the 1.Bundesliga...will the MetroStars new stadium be based upon any traditional grounds, either in actual construction or in "feel"?
Nick Sakiewicz - No, the MetroStars stadium is specifically designed for MetroStars fans. The feel of the stadium is more dependent on the fans than on the construction. The stadium will be contracted exclusively for the viewing of soccer, like many other stadiums around the world.

Brian - Once funding is achieved, are their other foreseeable roadblocks such as environmental studies or neighborhood opposition?
Nick Sakiewicz - No - in fact the beauty about Harrison is the local government and the local community wants this project to happen. It's nice to be wanted.