The Democratic candidates for Mount Vernon mayor took part in a primary debate Tuesday night at the News 12 studios.

They discussed taxes, affordable housing and education, but the fate of Memorial Field took center stage.

In 2011, Mayor Clinton Young broke ground on the field, located on East Sanford Avenue and Highland Avenue in Mount Vernon.

When Young was ousted by current Mayor Ernie Davis, he says the multimillion-dollar renovation project was left stagnant.

During Tuesday's debate, Young blamed his opponent for not keeping up the project.

"To say nothing is being done is the most hypocritical thing I could think of, " said Mayor Ernie Davis.

News 12 visited the site and spoke to project manager Anthony Bove, who said construction has been underway for the past 10 months. The construction includes six completed tennis courts and trenches for plumbing.

Bove said the project is saving taxpayers money, but candidates claim it's forcing the city into debt.

The primary will be held Sept. 10. The winner will face Councilwoman Deborah Reynolds in the general election. She is running on the Conservative party line. Reynolds has also been an outspoken critic of the Memorial Field development.