The Green Monster of Throggs Neck needs to be replaced, but the costs of the project are going sky-high.
A brand-new 40 foot tall chain-link fence is being installed along Harding Avenue beside the Throgs Neck Little League’s senior field, replacing the current giant green fence that was installed in 1972.
The Department of Design and Construction’s fencing contractor, Security Fence, found major structural damage on the current fence upon inspection in August 2010 and determined it a hazard, league treasurer Frank Eisele stated.
“The last thing we want is this fence falling down on Harding Avenue, or onto the field,” Eisele said.
According to Eisele, the replacement fencing, which will be approximately 225-feet in length, will fully deplete the remaining $87,000 from a $250,000 grant provided by Councilman Jimmy Vacca to the league three years ago to replace windows, patch the roof of the field house, install a new electric generator and replace some fencing.
Since it was installed at the same time in the early 1970s, a fence of similar length in right field along Kearney Avenue may have to be replaced as well, which would skyrocket the costs well beyond the league’s remaining grant money.
“We are going to be approaching all of the local and state elected officials for additional money,” Eisele said. “Because of the construction, the senior field might not be able to be used during our opening day ceremony, and we may use the junior field instead.”
The league is planning their annual opening day parade from Lafayette and E. Tremont avenues to the field at noon on Sunday, April 10, however, league debt could be like a rain cloud over the ceremony.
“The one thing that we don’t want to do is to pass this cost along to hard-working families and their children,” Eisele said. “We are looking for one of the elected officials to help. This is money the league does not have.”
The DDC is not responsible for funding the project, said spokesman Craig Chin, only putting the contract out to bid and in overseeing construction.
The massive new fence along Harding Avenue required at least two and half yards of concrete as a foundation for each of the 29 poles, reaching seven feet below ground for each pole, and is the largest fence of its kind located in the Throggs Neck area.
“This is the tallest fence that I have ever installed,” said Chris Capano of Security Fence. “The footings alone are seven feet deep and it seems as though you could build a skyscraper on that.”
