Silver's Bye-Bye Pataki Present: Blocking Moynihan Station

Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver did the expected thing at a state Public Authorities Control Board meeting to discuss the Moynihan Station: He refused to support it, ensuring that the city is at least another year away from starting a new transportation hub for NJ Transit and LIRR commuters. Well, we guess Governor Pataki's decision to delay a vote didn't work out very well, but it's not like Silver would suddenly be convinced in three weeks.

Since the Moynihan Station plan, a non-September 11 pet project of Pataki who had hoped it could be approved before he leaves office, was not approved, Silver didn't get any Pataki or Republican support for moving an expanded Magison Square Garden plan forward. The Post has details on how Silver's been angry and Pataki's upset, with Silver calling Pataki's Moynihan Station plan "illegally presented and incomplete" while Pataki accused Silver of "[having] single-handedly prevented the most important civic and transportation project in the nation today from proceeding."

It's unclear what happens to $130 million in federal funds that were allocated for the project. But this much is certain: The Pataki administration will try to terminate deals with Vornado and Related Companies, the two big developers it had been working with on the plan. Although Moynihan Station has been in planning for years and years, in May, Vornado and Related presented an even more ambitious plan (called "Plan B") that involved moving Madison Square Garden west to the Farley Post Office. While many people were impressed by the vision of Plan B, many agreed it would take a long time for it to be approved. Now there is second guessing about whether having Plan B sabotaged getting the original Moynihan Station approved or whether Pataki should have noted where Plan B would fit into his plans. One thing we hope when Eliot Spitzer is most likely made governor: More cooperation between the governor's office and the state assembly.

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By Jen Chung in News on October 19, 2006 9:04 AM

Comments [rss]

Not Amused

Let me rephrase that last comment . Seeing as the nice people @ the Gothamist have a problem with honesty . The "Blocking" of this upgrade to Penn Station is one in a series of "Blocks" by Mr. Silver . He is (For lack of a realistic term) a "Professional Block Artist" and when it comes time for us to vote this "NICE", "Professional Blocker" out of power, My hope is that I will not be the only one there to send this "Nice" "Blocker" on his way out of N.Y. Politics ! *Sneers* *Ponders a thought* " Hope that was within the boundaries of exceptable speech "! *Smiles*

zincink

I often wonder what people think when they enter Penn Station...I never hear them utter the word "beautiful"..its more like a facial expression of disgust.

#7 I agree with you...

what is wrong with a train station being a station..

pedestrian

Silver is an enemy of the State of New Jersey.

Tim N.

Silver is a hack and the Dolans are schmucks. But the new plan is better. The station will be better with it, which is the point to all this. When Governor Shitforbrains couldn't get off the pot about it, time was wasted, and he realized if he was going to have any kind of legacy that didn't include the word "feckless" he'd have to approve something. So, typically, he went second-rate rather than wait out the good plan.

Sounds like his whole approach to downtown, doesn't it? At least he's consistent.

There are no heroes in this, but assuming Governor Spitzer approves the new plan, at least the end result will be okay.

MT

A new MSG would not only be basically free for the Dolans (using sweetheart deals so contractors could get in on the redevelopment of the current site), it would enable them to redevelop the current site with sky scrapers and give them even more money essentially for nothing. What good does that do for anyone but the Dolans? They only want it because they are scared of losing business to the new Nets arena in Brooklyn. As far as I can tell there are few families/businesses in this city that are less civic-minded than the Dolans and yet they manage to squeeze the city for benefits like a mafia family shaking down the local merchants. I agree with Tom. If they want to build a new MSG, let them use the current site. They have gotten more than enough out of NYC as far as I can tell. If they want to put something west of Farley, put something of more public use like housing. The city needs apartments far worse than it needs a new MSG.

mg

Re: MT, the proposed move of MSG would not affect Moynihan at all, it would go into the West side of Farley (Moynihan is in the east), and open up Penn Station for more light and perhaps a new office building above it. Silver wants to see the "whole" plan before he approves it... though I think Moynihan should start NOW.

MT

Silver needs to go. he's obvioulsy in bed with the Dolans. First he blocks the West Side Stadium (rightly or not) because it would take business away from MSG and now he's blocking Moynihan Station because they won't build them a new MSG. Does anyone see a patter here? Sheldon Silver needs to go.

And another even more outrageous point: how do they even have the nerve to suggest a new MSG be part of the new station. The old station was destroyed so that current abomination that is the MSG building could be put in it's place i the name of commerce. How dare they try to defile another grand idea with their development schemes. How are more people not outraged by this?!?

Toby

Sheldon Silver is a career politican who basically wants to be re-elected to keep his gravy train rolling not caring about anyone else.

As for MSG, they should tear it down and replace it where it sits. The teams can play for a year in New Jersey or the Island well it happens. Screw the Dolans.

jason

Silver is among the wost type of politicians... I can't wait till he is finally out of a position of power in this city - it can't come soon enough!!!!!!!

Tom

As a NJ transit commuter, I can say this is a key part of NJ transit's planning. There are new tunnels that just got approved being built under the Hudson, and they're going to terminate in this station. Right now all traffic in & out of NYC by rail goes through two tunnels, and there's massive congestion. Plus combining all the Amtrak & NJ Transit to the same berths leads to huge congestion.

The new station is mostly about NJ Transit, and allieviating congestion at Penn. But for the love of god, let MSG stay where it is. The Garden already destroyed one train station, why let it destroy another? Is it a crazy idea to have a train station just be a train station?

Ace

commuters need more trains (subway and rail) more often for less money.

commuters do not need to walk extra distances when changing from trains to subways or changing subway lines.

commuters do not take Amtrak trains.

iggy

yet another example of how useless and ineffectual pataki is as a politician. his legecy will be nothing, and his failure to create this station will further enhance his image as the ultimate "do nothing" politician.

timbnyc

Building this is just a big waste of money - at least if it includes the arena it might get built for free. There are billions being spent on more meaningful plans to upgrade commuter lines into the city, as well as billions being spent on the worthless, destructive MTA transit center on Fulton Street. Apart from those things, let the building trades unions go find some private sector work - there's plenty of it.

Max

We need to get rid of Silver ASAP- when is he up for election?

Urban Thought

It is sad that politicians cannot put there bitterness aside for the greater good of the city, state, and region which we reside. Children with power are what it looks like to me.

OK little ones, play time is over. Now grow up.

realist

Silver is an ass. Claiming that the first phase of this plan is just for NJ and PA riders is a straw man. He is a useless, power-tripping, a$$hole.