F-L-O-R-H-A-M,

JETS - JETS - JETS!

By: D.A. BAUM                                      Photos: R.S. FOX
May 17, 2007 - 

On a late Wednesday afternoon in Morris County, the New York Jets began their introduction to their new home & community in New Jersey.  It was a perfect spring day over a partly cloudy sky, where young & old gathered to meet "Gang-Green" at Florham Park's Borough Hall.

The introductions to the community began with chants of "J-E-T-S, Lets go Jets!" by the Florham Park High School cheerleaders which were responded to by the fans of Gang-Green with the overall chant of "J-E-T-S, Jets - Jets - JETS!"

  
 
Florham Park's Mayor Frank Tinari then presented New York Jets owner Woody Johnson with a green & white framed proclamation.

"Today, May 17, 2006 will forever be known as JETS DAY in the borough," The Mayor Proclaimed.  "Welcome to our community!"

"On behalf of all of us at the JETS," replied a heartfelt Woody Johnson.  "We are heartened by your genuine interest to make us your neighbors and we are truly excited to call Florham Park our new home."


 
On March 31, 2006; The New York Jets announced that they would be relocating their headquarters to the former Exxon national headquarters - across the street from Fairleigh Dickenson University in Florham Park New Jersey.

The new home of the JETS will house all football operations & most corporate functions including an 110,000 square foot building that will house 100 employees.  However, the advertising & public relations departments will remain in Manhattan.

Three outdoor football fields, an indoor field in an inflatable dome, dormitories, a medical therapy center & theater will make this not just a new home for the team but a state of the art training facility that will rival any NFL team for years to come. 

 

“By relocating the practice facilities from Long Island to New Jersey,” responded Jets President Jay Cross, “We will generate local jobs and more than $10 million annually in new tax revenue for the state of New Jersey.”

In addition to the new state and local tax revenues generated by the practice facility, the Jets along with the NJSEA will dedicate an annual fund of $50,000 to improve recreational fields in Florham Park that will be built near their new home – as well as throughout the borough.

Though the Jets expect to break ground in December of this year & to have the offices ready for business by the spring of 2007, they have estimated that its inaugural training camp will not be held in New Jersey until May of 2008.  All estimates have been based on the restraints of construction.

Still, a certain NFL owner would give Florham Park a little hope.  “If the weather stays calm next winter, we could be here as early as July 2007!”

 
 
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