Under the governor's proposal, everybody wins. The plan will create much-needed convention space for professional conferences and large trade events. It will generate revenue and jobs in New York through the creation of the largest economic-development project in the state, and it will provide new engines of growth for Queens and Manhattan's West Side. Read RPA's proposal on Javits, Unconventional.
Congressman John Mica (R) of Florida toured the 2nd Avenue Subway project on November 1 and committed to finding the $40 million needed for Phase 1 work this year. According to NY1, Mica said, "This project will be funded. You have my commitment as chairman of the committee."
Phase 1 of the 2nd Avenue Subway is an extension of the Q line from 63rd Street & Lexington to 2nd Avenue, with stops at 72nd, 86th, and 96th Streets.
That leaves three more phases to fund to get the subway from Harlem down to Hanover Square. Mica and East Side Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D) say they don't want to lose current momentum on 2nd Avenue.
"This isn't a Republican or a Democrat project. This is a project to improve New York City. We have projects like this across the nation where we need additional transportation infrastructure, so we can get people working and employed now," said Mica.
View NY1's video of the tour here.
On Thursday, October 27, 2011 Mayor Michael Bloomberg and US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar signed an agreement to jointly manage over 10,000 acres of federal and city land in and around Jamaica Bay improving parks and water quality throughout the Bay, including Floyd Bennett Field. This collaboration was the key recommendation of the RPA-staffed Floyd Bennett Field Blue Ribbon Panel. City Hall and the US Department of the Interior will now move forward to develop a jointly-managed vision and governance structure, creating a Jamaica Bay master plan that will guide the redevelopment and management of both the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation as well as adjoining city parkland, like Marine Park and Rockaway Beach. One specific goal will be to increase the accessibility of these parks, including improvements to the Jamaica Bay Greenway, where RPA is leading a public -private coalition.
Yesterday's kickoff of New York City's bike-share program adds yet another mode to the city's robust transportation portfolio. It furthers the reach of the transit system and will bring people closer, faster to the parks, businesses and in-between spots in a heart- and earth-healthy way. Travelers from around the city, region, and world come to New York to live, work, visit, and play - and depend on our transportation systems to get them from one destination to another. Residents and visitors have learned to rely upon taxis, private autos, and their own two feet to complete their trips from train stations and bus stops. Now there is another option. Benefits include:
Cost-effective: Not only is the low annual fee - under $100 and less than the price of a monthly Metrocard - an attractive mobility solution for New Yorkers, but the City can truly afford the price - zero taxpayer dollars. Private funding, advertising, and user fees will be footing the entire $50 million bill.
Transportation infrastructure is the lifeblood of the regional economy of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region. For ninety years, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has helped the region's economy grow by investing in the systems that connect us to each other and the rest of the world. The Port Authority generates funds from the facilities it operates and then reinvests these funds in projects with strong regional and interstate benefits to maintain and expand our infrastructure and economy.
Regional Plan Association supports today's announcement that the Port Authority will be increasing tolls on the Hudson River crossings it owns and operates. A robust capital plan must allow our port to continue to receive goods from around the world; maintain our tunnels and bridges; increase capacity at our airports; and repair our road and transit network. Particular attention must be paid to expanding capacity across the Hudson River, which will handle increased demand over the coming years.
While public attention has been appropriately focused on the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan, the Port Authority's core mission is to create the opportunity for economic growth in the metropolitan region by investing in interstate systems. Today's announcement by the Port Authority supports that mission.
Watch some of our friends describe how they see us and how we've worked to help them create a better region.
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