The long-awaited renovation of Hinchlife Stadium, the historic Paterson (N.J.) facility where the New York Black Yankees played, may again be on as city officials push a $15-million bond plan.
The long-awaited renovation of Hinchlife Stadium, the historic Paterson (N.J.) facility where the New York Black Yankees played, may again be on as city officials push a $15-million bond plan.
The historic 9,200-seat facility, where stars like Larry Doby and Satchel Paige played during their Negro Leagues days, has fallen into disrepair. It's owned by the Paterson school district, which doesn't have the funds to renovate the stadium. There have been a number of renovation plans pushed through the years, including a 2005 bond referendum approved by voters. (That approval lapsed after the city couldn't come up with an acceptable renovation plan.)
The issue will be back on the ballot this fall, as Paterson voters will once again be asked to approved a bond issue for stadium renovation, this time for $15 million. The parallel is with Birmingham's Rickwood Field, which has been lovingly maintained over the years and brings a slew of visitors into the city. But while the comparison is a good step, the plan for Hinchliffe Stadium renovations should be unique to the Paterson community funding the renovations.
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