MTA chairman Peter S. Kalikow sent letters to the New York Jets and Madison Square Garden that asks for bids to be submitted no later than Monday, March 21, 2005. Those bids are expected to then be presented to the MTA board at its March 31 meeting. Bid documents will be provided to the two parties and other interested parties on Tuesday.

For more than a year, the MTA has been negotiating for the potential development of the site with the Jets and the New York State Empire State Development Corp. MSG subsequently made an unsolicited $600-million proposal to acquire and develop the LIRR West Side Rail Yards.

"The MTA board, as well as the customers it serves, need an expeditious and orderly resolution of the sale of this important asset," says Kalikow. "Both parties will be able to put their best offer on the table to the board in a fair and open process. This should allow the board the necessary information to make its decision in the best interests of the riding public."