Testimony of Richard T. Anderson, President New York Building Congress before Empire State Development Corporation
Published on Dec 16, 2004 by
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on how the proposed New York Sports and Convention Center will impact the City and State of New York.
The Building Congress is New York’s largest and most diverse coalition of design, construction and real estate organizations. We represent over 400 organizations with 1,500 members. Part of our mission is to evaluate major government projects and promote productive capital spending. Our membership believes that the Sports and Convention Center is critically important for New York’s long-range future.
The strategic location of the NYSCC, adjacent to the Javits Center and Manhattan’s commercial and cultural resources, makes this facility one of the best situated in the world. More than a sporting venue, it doubles as an extension of the convention center. Around the perimeter of the facility, parks and open space, a restored Highline, retail, restaurant and cultural amenities will combine to create an exhilarating entertainment center catering to residents, commuters and visitors alike. These amenities will help integrate the NYSCC into the fabric of the surrounding grid, adding to the creation of a complete new community on the West Side.
The City and State currently have a standing offer of $800 million in private investment to build on the platform. Furthermore, in an act of good faith, the Jets have also agreed to cover the costs of any overruns on the platform, and any environmental mitigation, as well as the cost of a bridge over West 33rd Street to increase community access to the waterfront. In the last several decades, no one has come forward with an offer like this to develop over the rail yards. Ignoring this opportunity condemns the far West Side to unattractive yards well into the future.
The site is ideal from an environmental perspective as well. Currently, approximately 15,000 cars travel through New York City to get to the Meadowlands, because there is no viable transit alternative. Conversely, the NYSCC will be accessible by subway, LIRR, NJ Transit, Metro-North and Amtrak, with proposals for direct ferry access as well. About 70 percent of Jets season ticket holders polled say they will take public transit to the NYSCC. This will result in a reduction in the number of cars on the road on game days, conserving fuel and improving air quality.
Placing the facility elsewhere makes it a less attractive investment for the City and State. Standing alone, the NYSCC cannot be used for conventions; it is less accessible by public transit; and it becomes strictly a football stadium in use for perhaps 10 to 20 days out of the year. Worse, a gaping hole is left in Manhattan’s far West Side that will retard development of the surrounding parcels and weaken the City’s ability to maximize revenues from the rezoning. The NYSCC can be a catalyst for development much as similar facilities in San Diego and Pittsburgh.
Finally, New York stands a significant risk of losing the 2012 Olympic Games and the many ensuing benefits. To compete globally in today’s service, and tourism economy, it is imperative that New York continues to generate iconic buildings and attractive entertainment destinations. The NYSCC, compared with an ordinary mixed use office/residential complex, will provide New York with the world’s next exciting destinations.
The NYSCC represents our chance to leave a legacy to the next generation, and the Building Congress encourages ESDC to address community concerns while at the same time advancing this proposal as the crown jewel of the Hudson Yards development plan.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on how the proposed New York Sports and Convention Center will impact the City and State of New York.
The Building Congress is New York’s largest and most diverse coalition of design, construction and real estate organizations. We represent over 400 organizations with 1,500 members. Part of our mission is to evaluate major government projects and promote productive capital spending. Our membership believes that the Sports and Convention Center is critically important for New York’s long-range future.
The strategic location of the NYSCC, adjacent to the Javits Center and Manhattan’s commercial and cultural resources, makes this facility one of the best situated in the world. More than a sporting venue, it doubles as an extension of the convention center. Around the perimeter of the facility, parks and open space, a restored Highline, retail, restaurant and cultural amenities will combine to create an exhilarating entertainment center catering to residents, commuters and visitors alike. These amenities will help integrate the NYSCC into the fabric of the surrounding grid, adding to the creation of a complete new community on the West Side.
The City and State currently have a standing offer of $800 million in private investment to build on the platform. Furthermore, in an act of good faith, the Jets have also agreed to cover the costs of any overruns on the platform, and any environmental mitigation, as well as the cost of a bridge over West 33rd Street to increase community access to the waterfront. In the last several decades, no one has come forward with an offer like this to develop over the rail yards. Ignoring this opportunity condemns the far West Side to unattractive yards well into the future.
The site is ideal from an environmental perspective as well. Currently, approximately 15,000 cars travel through New York City to get to the Meadowlands, because there is no viable transit alternative. Conversely, the NYSCC will be accessible by subway, LIRR, NJ Transit, Metro-North and Amtrak, with proposals for direct ferry access as well. About 70 percent of Jets season ticket holders polled say they will take public transit to the NYSCC. This will result in a reduction in the number of cars on the road on game days, conserving fuel and improving air quality.
Placing the facility elsewhere makes it a less attractive investment for the City and State. Standing alone, the NYSCC cannot be used for conventions; it is less accessible by public transit; and it becomes strictly a football stadium in use for perhaps 10 to 20 days out of the year. Worse, a gaping hole is left in Manhattan’s far West Side that will retard development of the surrounding parcels and weaken the City’s ability to maximize revenues from the rezoning. The NYSCC can be a catalyst for development much as similar facilities in San Diego and Pittsburgh.
Finally, New York stands a significant risk of losing the 2012 Olympic Games and the many ensuing benefits. To compete globally in today’s service, and tourism economy, it is imperative that New York continues to generate iconic buildings and attractive entertainment destinations. The NYSCC, compared with an ordinary mixed use office/residential complex, will provide New York with the world’s next exciting destinations.
The NYSCC represents our chance to leave a legacy to the next generation, and the Building Congress encourages ESDC to address community concerns while at the same time advancing this proposal as the crown jewel of the Hudson Yards development plan.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on how the proposed New York Sports and Convention Center will impact the City and State of New York.
The Building Congress is New York’s largest and most diverse coalition of design, construction and real estate organizations. We represent over 400 organizations with 1,500 members. Part of our mission is to evaluate major government projects and promote productive capital spending. Our membership believes that the Sports and Convention Center is critically important for New York’s long-range future.
The strategic location of the NYSCC, adjacent to the Javits Center and Manhattan’s commercial and cultural resources, makes this facility one of the best situated in the world. More than a sporting venue, it doubles as an extension of the convention center. Around the perimeter of the facility, parks and open space, a restored Highline, retail, restaurant and cultural amenities will combine to create an exhilarating entertainment center catering to residents, commuters and visitors alike. These amenities will help integrate the NYSCC into the fabric of the surrounding grid, adding to the creation of a complete new community on the West Side.
The City and State currently have a standing offer of $800 million in private investment to build on the platform. Furthermore, in an act of good faith, the Jets have also agreed to cover the costs of any overruns on the platform, and any environmental mitigation, as well as the cost of a bridge over West 33rd Street to increase community access to the waterfront. In the last several decades, no one has come forward with an offer like this to develop over the rail yards. Ignoring this opportunity condemns the far West Side to unattractive yards well into the future.
The site is ideal from an environmental perspective as well. Currently, approximately 15,000 cars travel through New York City to get to the Meadowlands, because there is no viable transit alternative. Conversely, the NYSCC will be accessible by subway, LIRR, NJ Transit, Metro-North and Amtrak, with proposals for direct ferry access as well. About 70 percent of Jets season ticket holders polled say they will take public transit to the NYSCC. This will result in a reduction in the number of cars on the road on game days, conserving fuel and improving air quality.
Placing the facility elsewhere makes it a less attractive investment for the City and State. Standing alone, the NYSCC cannot be used for conventions; it is less accessible by public transit; and it becomes strictly a football stadium in use for perhaps 10 to 20 days out of the year. Worse, a gaping hole is left in Manhattan’s far West Side that will retard development of the surrounding parcels and weaken the City’s ability to maximize revenues from the rezoning. The NYSCC can be a catalyst for development much as similar facilities in San Diego and Pittsburgh.
Finally, New York stands a significant risk of losing the 2012 Olympic Games and the many ensuing benefits. To compete globally in today’s service, and tourism economy, it is imperative that New York continues to generate iconic buildings and attractive entertainment destinations. The NYSCC, compared with an ordinary mixed use office/residential complex, will provide New York with the world’s next exciting destinations.
The NYSCC represents our chance to leave a legacy to the next generation, and the Building Congress encourages ESDC to address community concerns while at the same time advancing this proposal as the crown jewel of the Hudson Yards development plan.