BRONX, N.Y. | It didn’t take long for a well-intentioned town hall meeting to break down into chaos as opponents and backers of the proposed New York City F.C. stadium in the South Bronx clashed on the issue.

Over 300 people, mainly Bronx residents, gathered at 900 Grand Concourse for what started as a civil discourse but quickly deteriorated into jibes and insults, culminating in one person’s ejection after an expletive laden rant.

The event, hosted by the 161st street BID, had several local politicians in attendance, and even a representative from the Yankees.

“We view this process as a vital tool that will assist us all in moving forward in a productive manner,” Brian Smith, Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations of the New York Yankees said.

Several people lined up to speak their mind on the project, with a plethora of community organizations, religious institutions and non-profit organizations lined up in favor of the Yankee-backed initiative, while labor workers and local residents offered tepid-curiousity or all-out opposition to the stadium.

Many of those organizations backing the NYCFC stadium did so from first hand knowledge of working alongside the Yankees in the local community.

“A lot of how we have been able to serve 1,500 children and continue to grow is largely due to the partnership we have, the volunteers and the great support of the New York Yankees,” Johnny Rivera of Harlem RBI said. “Soccer is something that is valuable, lots of people enjoy, it’s the number one sport in the world, so we support you.”

“We also support it because the Yankees are involved in it and the Yankees have always kept their promises to the church,” Bishop Doctor Timothy Burkett explained. “If the Yankees are involved in it, I will support it.”

Local residents turned a more critical eye towards the proposal, citing reported tax breaks, construction related vermin infestation, air pollution and the continued deterioration of local infrastructure in their opposition.

“The traffic problems are horrible, it’s not good for local businesses, after this construction, there won’t be any new jobs,” one concerned resident said. “The site will be unused more than 300 days a year. This is why people shot down Mayor Bloomberg’s idea of a Jets Stadium in Midtown.”

“Why would a soccer team not be able to play Yankee Stadium, Citifield or Metlife for only 35 games a year?” another resident exclaimed. “The owner of Manchester City Football is Sheihk Mansour. Why would he need public subsidies to build a stadium? His personal wealth is listed at $12 billion! Why does the South Bronx have to build him a stadium?

“How many jobs will the stadium create for only 35 games?” he continued. “I eat more than 35 days a year, I have to pay rent more than 35 days a year. It’s not full time jobs, it’s not benefit jobs.”

“Where is the Sheihk!” shouted another.

Those still stuck on either side of the fence seemed to have a similar message. As one Bronx resident put it, “If they want to build it, fine. Use your own money.”

With each speaker came plenty of sniping and cursing from the crowd. Frustrations boiled over as one speaker, a professed Communist who claimed to speak for “the working man,” unleashed an expletive laden rant on capitalism. Forced off the mic, he continued to shout and began to charge the front forum. Off-duty police and local security personnel forcibly tackled the man and escorted him from the building. Several labor representatives walked out with him in a show of solidarity.

This is only the beginning of what will continue to be a hot button issue. Moderator and 161st BID leader Cary Goodman called the event “a restart” to the South Bronx Stadium project. As he points out, the original Bloomberg plan, including all of it’s tax subsidies, have been shelved by the new administration. “We are starting from scratch,” he said, encouraging people to lay their concerns on the table.

NYCFC will likely hold the next town hall, with their representative revealing a coming forum on a date to be determined.

“I know for a fact that it is a priority of New York City F.C. to present the accurate facts related to the soccer stadium project and their commitment to this community in the near future in a forum similar to this this evening,” Rivera said. “That information will be confirmed and shared with all shortly.”