NEW YORK CITY— A prototype of the proposed Brooklyn Queens Connector (BQX), a streetcar that would run between Astoria, Queens and Sunset Park, Brooklyn was unveiled on Monday evening at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Michael Rudin, senior vice president at Rudin Management Company, and Friends of BQX , board of directors member, welcomed the guests.

The proposed light rail system is anticipated to cost approximately $2.5 billion. The Association for a Better New York, Friends of BQX and Tech:NY hosted a panel discussion, “Beyond Amazon.” In reference to the city's bid to be the internet retailer's second home, the talk focused on ways to make New York City its most competitive in attracting companies and talented people. As transportation was a key point, the event concluded with a tour of the model rail car.

Panelist Jed Walentas, CEO of Two Trees Management, founded the Friends of the BQX, and serves as its executive committee chair. He explained the BQX would be funded through a mechanism called value capture. This involves increases in property tax of the real estate located near the rail line, which benefits from the streetcar's operations. The taxation would generate the revenue to pay the debt that funded the initial investment.