“An improved Midtown cannot simply mean larger office buildings; it must mean an improved experience for all New Yorkers, says MAS president Vin Cipolla, in the announcement. “MAS doesn't believe the City's proposal as currently outlined gets us there. A plan for Midtown's future must address comprehensively the area's transportation, public realm,preservation and economic challenges.”

Another contingent in support of the rezoning, Midtown21C, also released its report on Wednesday. The 52-page treatise, according to an announcement from the organization,examines the cultural and architectural history of the district and evaluates the buildings targeted for landmark status by local preservation groups, and points out that truly historic and iconic properties worthy of landmark status had typically been designated shortly after they became eligible at 30 years of age." As previously reported, Midtown21C is a coalition of leaders in business, labor, and real estate advocating for the ezoning,

Meanwhile, the Historic Districts Council is concerned that the city's plan will ultimately lead to the tearing down of several iconic buildings. In an effort to save those structures, the Council recently identified 33 “architecturally and historically significant buildings in the area that are “worthy of consideration for landmark status.”

Among these are the Graybar Building, at 420 Lexington Ave., the Yale Club, 50 Vanderbuilt Ave., and the Roosevelt Hotel, 45 E. 45^th St., as well as modern structures such as the Philip Morris and Union Carbide buildings, at 118 Park Ave. and 270 Park Ave., respectively, and Citicorp Center, 399 Park Ave. Despite having its detractors, the MetLife Building, at 200 Park Ave., also made the list. The HDC has prepared official requests for evaluation to be submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for each of the 33 buildings it's looking to save.

But if money does indeed talk, it may force the city's hand. DCP envisions about five million new square feet of office space would be created by 2033 through the rezoning, Crain's New York Business reports. Adding to that the sale of private air rights, the department calculates that the city will raise as much as $750 million in DIB funds.

Another presentation to answer further questions about the plan and present remaining details is scheduled to take place this month. But as far as the city is concerned, the rezoning is pretty much set in stone. Says Frank Ruchala, the city planner supervising the rezoning, to Crain's, "In large part, what we've shown is where we think we'll be going with this.”