Stadium Plan Passes First Test

NEW YORK CITY-Plans for the so-called “Convention Corridor” on the West Side moved one step closer to reality as the Empire State Development Corp. board of directors adopted the general project plan. The $1-billion New York Sports and Convention Center would add space to the existing Jacob K. Javits Center and create a multi-use stadium that would be a home for the New York Jets.

According to the ESDC, the initiative will “transform the underutilized West Side, grow New York’s convention industry and is expected to generate more than $1 billion in city and state tax revenue, 7,287 construction and 5,685 new permanent jobs.” ESDC chairman Charles Gargano adds, “It is a solid economic development project that will create thousands of jobs while bringing millions of dollars in new revenue that New York City loses each year to other cities.” A public hearing will be held within approximately 30 days followed by a 30-day public comment period.

A key factor in the approval was that the Convention Corridor will double convention center capacity, enabling New York City to vie for hundreds of events–and millions of dollars in economic activity–currently lost to other cities. The NYSCC will double as a 75,000-seat stadium and a 180,000-sf exhibit hall and is a major component in the city’s effort to host the 2012 Olympic Games.