This is something I do not support, will not write of it, see below for the why.
I have addressed this issue on mini-pitches before, I now have more information, making a stronger case for my push. Do not get me wrong, taking an un/under used paved area and putting it to use is great, whether it be a tennis or basketball court, even a parking area. There had been a partnership with Target to repurpose these fields at a cost of $60,000 each, hire me for that please so I may then take that money and buy land for soccer. 7 mini pitches fit on a full size field, I am working on 15 or so acres here on Long Island for less than the cost of these 7, by far less, about 1/3 less. Yes there is a need in the inner cities, but I look to the greater good where are you able to service more people, 7 fields or one, forget the denser populations in the cities, but only so many may use the field at a time. I have been to a number of mini-pitches still with large cracks, a bit of concrete or hot patch would fix and save more than a few ankles and lawsuits, I bet with a caulk gun and a tube some would be totally filled. These mini-pitches are not green, they do not clean the air in the slighest, they have runoff, they are far less, infact not cushioned at all compared to grass, yes they were like this before, a cure, pop a few holes for drainage, cover with dirt and grow? If on Long Island, one of the priciest areas in the nation such land is available, I am sure it is also throughout the rest of the NYRB market. Yes taxes, raw land has a much lower tax, locally about $1,000 a acre, less per as you get bigger, I picked up .86 of an acre with a tax bill below $800. I would bet the US Soccer Foundation is a 501 (c) 3, so the taxes would be further reduced if not eliminated if they came to hold the title. Locally your taxes will drop a lot if it is a certain size and you generate a particular amount of money from the land. Similarly, you may sell the developmental rights, now the space is Forever Geen the taxes drop, so too does the value, but the idea is not to sell it.
I have had discussions on this with the Foundation, thus far to no avail. Again I am of course all for building the game, but we all need to be looking beyond what is being done, this 15 acre parcel I have described would be equal to 21 mini-pitches (clearing limits), at $60,000 per that is $1,260,000 or the land at $330,000, hmm where is the money better spent? There would of couse be loss for parking etc., but I hope I have painted a different picture for all to see.
Lets look at a smaller piece, one acre, 7 mini pitches, at just a pair of mini pitches you have 1.2 full size fields.
Oh, yes in closing did I mention you would then OWN the land. It would not belong to the local municipality, locally the schools and parks own most of the land, so if another group is on it and you are the very group who paid for the work, shy of a permit which they are not really giving out in NYC right now, you are out of luck for the time being. You are able to do events to generate funds, player meet and greets, educational courses for coaches, referees etc. Special events to raise funds, tournaments and more, all to help eliminate the dreaded pay to play concept. I realize my knowledge is limited having been in the sports industry only since 1982 with my degree in Sports Administration and in Real Estate far less as I began in 1989.
Any thoughts, coments, please reach out.