This in-depth report documents the negative impacts the US Tennis Association (USTA) has on Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and the surrounding communities. The report cites hundreds of millions in taxpayer handouts to USTA, which has moved most of their high paying jobs to Westchester County. The USTA is currently seeking to gain more free parkland in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park without replacement as part of their proposed expansion. The USTA aims to build a third tennis stadium, enlarge two existing stadiums, construct two new parking garages, pave a new road, add up to 170,000-gsf of new retail space, and the build a dirty diesel-fueled power plant.
Key findings of the report include:
- NYC taxpayers have provided $322,025,000 in City Bonds for USTA construction.
- Over 85% of the USTA’s $200,000,000 in annual revenue comes from events held on parkland in Queens.
- The USTA pays no property taxes, minimal rent, and a tiny portion of its revenue to the city.
- Despite massive NYC taxpayer subsidies, the majority of the organization’s full-time, high salary jobs are based in Westchester.
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the surrounding communities bear the brunt of the negative impacts–including increased pollution and loss of greenspace — from the USTA.