Jets Win West Side Stadium Bid; Next Up: Lawsuits

The powerhouse duo of the NY Jets and Mayor Bloomberg's administration, supported by Lord knows how many lawyers, chalked up a win when the MTA board unanimously approved the Jets' bid to develop the West Side Railyards. And by unanimously approved, that means 14 voting board members thought the Jets' ultimate $210 million bid was better (or more feasible) than Cablevision's $400 million bid. Why was only $210 million accepted? The $440 million part of the Jets bid which included developers pitching in the dough and neccessitating rezoning was thrown out). The MTA says that the Jets' bid was actually better because of, oh, long-term tax benefits a stadium would bring, commitment to extending the 7 train, and ensuring minority businesses would be involved in construction. Still, Cablevision and other stadium opponents will be filing a ton of lawsuits (Cablevision says that the "Bloomberg fix was in"), and there are other possible roadblocks, like various state panels.

MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow, noting the strong opposition, invoked past projects like Rockefeller Center and the Triborough Bridge and said:

All the great projects that we have built in the last century were probably built over the objection of some vocal group. In the end, when they get 'em, when we have them, everybody likes them and everybody uses them.

In other words, "Quit your cryin'." A big question is what this means for Mayor Bloomberg's reelection plans, given his unending support for the plan. He's definitely helped get union and minorities on his side, but this deal also means his rivals will be out for blood. It'll help him if NYC wins the 2012 Olympic bid, but people note that if Cablevision didn't raise the stakes, the MTA would have been out $100+ million. But the Mayor is pleased things have gone his way.

What do you think of the bid? Do you think there will even be a stadium? Here's the Jets' NY Sports and Convention Center website. And Gothamist found Newsday's wondering about what the West Side will be like in 2012 interesting.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 1, 2005 8:28 AM

Comments [rss]

Tim N.

Kalikow's a complete idiot with no understanding of history. Rockefeller Center was a vacant lot, and the Triboro Bridge was desperately needed by the city at the time. I'm no Robert Moses fan, but anyone who knows their history knows that his prewar projects all addressed the needs of the city at the time (without throwing anyone out of their homes, that came later).

No need is being served here except those of the NFL and a couple of rich Republicans. Do the union guys realize that whatever development is done on the site will create jobs? And that some proposal do address the needs of more than a select few?

By saying something so stupid he assumes his audience is stupid. When November rolls around we'll see if he's right.

gar

Kalikow and Bloomberg to city: drop dead.

MT

Was Peter Kalikow quoting Robert Moses verbatim there? Or just paraphrasing? History really does have a habit of repeating itself.Doesn't it?

Birdski

Dannyboy's not even an elected official. I've seen him in action at a few community meetings. An arrogant non-listener. There should've been a public referendum on the stdium issue.

Max

Yesterday a single building in manhattan was sold for close to a billion dollars cash money, and Bloomie thinks a promisory note is a good deal?

He lost my vote.

S.D.

At the least, I imagine they might have to Justify why they took the lower Bid.

See here for an interesting article Doctoroff tied to W. Side deal by Juan Gonzalez.

Daniel Doctoroff is the city's deputy mayor for economic development.