May 21, 2005
Sheldon Silver, West Side Stadium Killjoy
NY State Assembly Sheldon Silver told NY1 that he doesn't see a "great need" for the West Side Stadium. And as one of the the three votes on the state committee to approve the financing plan for the stadium plan, this is not sounding good for Mayor Bloomberg or anyone hoping for a NYC 2012 Olympics. What more, Silver thinks that NYC's chances for the Olympics are a "long shot." Gah! As you may remember, the okay to build a West Side Stadium is a big part of what will influence the IOC to truly consider NYC as an Olympics city. Now, not that being a NYC 2012 flunky has to be part of every NYC politician's agenda, but Gothamist is surprised he'd have so little faith in an effort that has tied many people, both Republicans and Democrats, together. At any rate, the slow pace of rulings to greenlight the West Side Stadium has left the NY Jets to do some contingency planning to the tune of staying in NJ.
Gothamist on the West Side Stadium.
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Right on Sheldon. Say it as it is!
Hi Yo Silver!!
Good! I'm glad someone is finally standing up against this stadium/Olympics insanity.
We really need more REAL politicians like Sheldon Silver in NYC again.
To contrast, look at this ridiculous issue with the WTC site and the 'freedom tower'. How badly can Pataki fudge that one up. Also, look at the issue with using Central Park for large public gatherings. The cost of large public gatherings in Central Park is relatively small compared to a new stadium, yet Bloomberg and others are fighting tooth and nail to STOP public gatherings.
NYC politics and nepotism is out of control. And we need people like Sheldon Silver to be a voice of reason.
Silver is accurately representing the views of his constituents.
I have to say that having visited cities that have played host to modern olympic games New York City's plan to be a host is flawed and it might not be such a great idea to be a host either.
Take a look at Barcelona, Spain. It was in need of major renovations to its waterfront, housing stock, transportation system, airport and common areas. The olympics allowed that city to do these things. Olympic housing was turned into housing for working people, the waterfront was transformed into a wonderful beach, parks were created, its famous soccer club had a stadium to play in; the city became a travel destination again.
Our city is adverse to creating housing for working people in Manhattan, doesn't have hotel space, no train to the airport, clogged streets, jammed highways - - the place is a mess. It seems like the only real olympic plans we have is for a west side stadium. It takes alot more than that to be a host city.
The Jets will get their stadium in due time and there will be a stink to do something about the rotting conditions at Shea. But this town isn't cut out for being an Olympic host.
Shelly Silver isn't the only one who has a vote on the PUCB -- so do Joe Bruno and George Pataki. Bruno has also indicated that he plans to vote no, making it a 2 - 1 loss for Pataki. The vote has to be unanimous in order for it to pass -- don't for one second believe that it isn't passing because either Shelly or Bruno are killjoys (or because they care about their constituents -- I live in the Speaker's district, and that just ain't the case). No, it won't pass until Pataki puts enough money on the table to satisfy both Bruno and Silver, which means that it probably won't pass at all.
BTW, it's just a happy coincidence that I am opposed to the stadium and so is Silver -- he no more took my opinion into consideration on this issue than he did on say, tenant's rights, transportation, the commuter tax or any number of issues on which he has failed his constituents.
What bolgna to even weigh this idea of a West-Side Stadium as if it isn't overlooking what it takes to create and manage such a fiasco. All of those in the media that act like this is a true debate of the issues rather than a money race or politics game is beyond me.
Surely new yorkers can think beyond the 3 years of jobs that this would create for construction workers and see that it would a cause congestion, undue money for a stadium in manhattan one of the most congested burroughs.
I thought at one point in the 90's we wanted to make a bigger downtown brooklyn so that businesses could use that and other burroughs for their home? Wouldn't it be a great compromise to build it in a well-planned site rather than some political win for the Mayor and others regarding what to do with the MTA, it's land sell and other issues plaguing the city?
We don't need another shot in the arm we need managed city planning that benefits the residents not the elite in the city that would profit from managing this fiasco (Trump now is in the game of designing the WTC building, wt-kcuf? )
Is the next topic gonna be, well Harlem 2005 is ready for high rises and starbucks!! let's move there, everyone of us so we can push out those who own businesses and homes there. That would deserve a lynndie england thumbs up IMO.
See Juan Gonzalez's "10 reasons to spike football stadium"
Hey sheldon
I have never voted for a republican in my life and now I am going too this year. You obstructionist self serving man. I will do anything in my power to work against you. I am going to vote for Bloomberg and get 50 friends to do the same. how dare you stop this stadium. this stadium is worth 200 work days a year to 2 labor friends of mine. you selfish man. I can't wait until you are history. you lost me on this one forever
I cannot understand where Bloomberg and Pataki are coming from. Evidently they never use the West Side streets to travel, or they'd understand what the stadium would do to traffic and subway congestion. We've already reached the point where the sidewalks can't hold all the pedestrians and people have to walk in the street.
And the money!!! How can they just throw away $600 million--the MTA is in dire need of repairs, and where will the money come from? They want another fare hike? How dare they? The MTA needs to take ALL the money offered, or there's something crooked going on.
We don't need the Olympics in NY. This isn't the place for it, there's no parking, a new stadium can be built in Brooklyn or Queens, and who cares about the Jets games anyway? HOUSING is what we need, and plenty of low-cost housing at that. Not football games. Not in Manhattan.
Don
One thing that no one seems to be stating about this stadium, is how it would effect the quality of life in the area. There are people, belive it or not, who live there.You can't find one person that lives there who's in favor of this thing. I agree with Sheldon Silver downtown, and Ground Zero should come frist. I just wish some one would also speak about the people and the impact to the people who LIVE there!!
Yeah tell Sheldon Silver i will stab him for the veto of the West Side Stadium..........i will stab him with a big fuckin smile on my face