GlobeSt.com UPDATE: Groups Call for New Bids on Western Rail Yards

NEW YORK CITY-In a letter to the head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, members of local planning and transportation groups have called for the MTA to consider the “best interests of the riding public” when making a decision on the future of the Western Rail Yards. “We are writing to urge you to reject the New York Jets’ offer for the Western Rail Yard and pursue a process that would culminate in open bidding for the site,” says the letter signed by Gene Russianoff of the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, Robert Yaro of the Regional Plan Association and Jon Orcutt of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

Earlier this year, the MTA approved the New York Jets’ bid for the rights to the yards that would have allowed for the construction of the New York Sports and Convention Center, a home base for the football team. The $2-billion plan was later rejected by the state Public Authorities Control Board.

Last week in a Democratic candidates’ mayoral forum, New York City council president and mayoral candidate Gifford Miller also called for the MTA to cancel its contract with the New York Jets for the development air rights of the rail yards suggesting that the site be rebid for uses that will complement Lower Manhattan.