Lower Manhattan Development
The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) recently released
its Principles and Preliminary Blueprint for the Future of Lower Manhattan,
an outline of the LMDC approach to rebuilding Lower Manhattan. The
LMDC envisions a mixed-use neighborhood with new and expanded cultural
facilities and public and open spaces to attract and support increased
tourism and housing. The blueprint emphasizes upgrading and expanding
Lower Manhattan’s transportation infrastructure in various ways
and includes a proposal for a new, intermodal transit hub, linking
the area’s various transit systems to allow more
convenient transfers. A permanent memorial at the World Trade Center
site is a key component of the plan, with consideration being given
to an international design competition. Building Congress members
are encouraged to continue their involvement and support of planning
and construction efforts downtown and to express their views directly
to State and City officials involved, especially LMDC Chairman John
Whitehead, President/Executive Director Louis Tomson, and the City’s
Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding Daniel Doctoroff.
Board of Education Capital Program
Over the course of the Board of Education’s current five-year
capital program, school
construction and renovation costs have been running well above estimates.
As a result, the $7.75 billion committed for the 2000-2004 capital
plan is expected to fall approximately $2.4 billion short of what
is needed to complete all of the projects contained in the plan.
The Board of Education revised its capital program in December 2001
and deferred construction of eight new schools, as well as a number
of expansions, building conversions and other facility improvements.
Furthermore, Mayor Bloomberg has asked the Board of Education to
plan for a reduction of 17 percent in its capital spending in order
to help the City close its budget gap. Cuts in State funding are
also expected. Building Congress members are encouraged to contact
the offices of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Gifford
Miller as well as Governor George Pataki, Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno to encourage the
fullest possible funding of the Board of Education’s capital
budget.
MTA Capital Program
The MTA received approval in February, 2002 for a $14 billion debt
refinancing that will free up enough resources to plug the $4.6
billion gap in its 2000-2004 capital program. Most of the budget
shortfall resulted from the failure of the New York State Transportation
Bond Act, included on the November 2000 ballot. The refinancing
will allow the MTA’s capital program to proceed largely as
originally planned. Major projects that can now proceed include
East Side access (creation of a Long Island Rail Road connection
to Grand Central Terminal), planning of the Second Avenue subway
and preliminary engineering for extending the No. 7 train to the
Javits Center on the West Side of Manhattan. Building Congress members
are encouraged to speak to State elected officials and MTA officials
to help ensure the full implementation of the Agency’s capital
plan.
West Side Development
Mayor Bloomberg has stated that development of the far West Side
of Manhattan will be a top priority of his administration and that
an expanded Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is the anchor for
this development. Governor Pataki has proposed doubling the capacity
of the convention center by expanding it northward to 42nd Street.
Mayor Bloomberg has made clear that the Center should be expanded,
regardless of whether a stadium is included in the project, thus
increasing the likelihood that the City and State can reach agreement.
Increasing the Center’s capacity is vital not only for promoting
tourism but also for spurring needed economic development in this
area of Manhattan. Development of the far West Side will require
extending the reach of the No. 7 train to the Javits Center area,
as well as zoning changes to allow for residential and commercial
uses in areas currently zoned for manufacturing. Members are encouraged
to express support for West Side development by contacting City
and State officials, particularly Chairman Charles Gargano of the
Empire State Development Corporation and Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff.
2012 Olympics
The United States Olympic Committee will soon make its decision
regarding which city will represent the United States in international
competition for the 2012 summer games. NYC2012, which is leading
the charge to bring the Olympics to New York, is continuing its
efforts on behalf of the City. Hosting the Olympics in New York
City would spark construction throughout the five boroughs of housing,
transportation facilities, and recreational and entertainment venues.
Many needed projects that are currently stalled, such as mass transit
expansions and improvements to the City’s neglected waterfront,
would take on new urgency and prominence. The design, construction
and real estate community has been a strong supporter of NYC2012’s
bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. The Building Congress recently
contributed $10,000 to NYC2012 and encourages members to continue
to do all they can to support their efforts.
WatchList is a periodic update of issues of particular importance
to the Building Congress membership.
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