We Must Renovate The Javits Center Before We Can Destroy It

Governor Cuomo recently unveiled plans for this giant new convention center and casino in Jamiaca, Queens.

During his State of the State address, Governor Cuomo unveiled a bold plan to build America's biggest convention center out in Jamaica Queens, and tear down the Javits Center, making way for more commercial and residential development by the Hudson River. Cuomo and others believe the Javits Center is too small and too old to remain competitive in a tight convention market, and it would be better to tear it down and lease the land to developers. Too bad taxpayers are shelling out a big chunk of the $463 million currently being spent to renovate and expand the place.

But even if Cuomo gets his Queens ~~monorail~~ convention center, Javits Center boosters say it's still worth going through with the renovations, which are expected to be competed next year and include structural improvements to the roof, as well as changes to reduce the center's environmental impact. "This is essential work," Austin Shafran, spokesman for the Empire State Development Corp., tells the Post. (If you initially misread "work" as "pork," you're not alone.) "Finishing this work will allow Javits to hold on to the business it has and be an acceptable facility while it still stands."

Of course, it's far from certain that the Queens convention center will ever be built. The Malaysian company that would pay for the construction is demanding, in exchange, the exclusive rights to operate non-Indian reservation casinos throughout New York State, but there's no guarantee Albany will approve it. And other critics say Cuomo is insane to expect so much from a convention center in the first place. "Convention centers all over the country are money-losing white elephants," E.J. McMahon of the Manhattan Institute tells CBS 2. "So basically what the governor is saying is that we ought to build the nation’s largest money-losing white elephant in New York City." Well come on, are we really going to let Illinois have the biggest elephant?

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By John Del Signore in News on January 16, 2012 2:06 PM

Comments [rss]

porad

You've gotten two things wrong, John. Genting's convention center plans are neither contingent on gambling's legalization, nor have they demanded exclusive statewide rights if that comes to pass. On the contrary, they've said they'll proceed with the project regardless of gambling's fate in the Legislature, and if it is legalized down the road, they've suggested they'd explore exclusivity in the city -- not across the board.

HymietownHero

I love how the deal is being pushed so that a Malaysian conglomerate can siphon USD from the pockets of fool-headed gamblers. Get it while it's still worth something!

Emmily_Litella

This is going to be like the Olympics bid. Lots of bullshit until the thing flames out, while all stripes of marketing and lobbying types grease up their snouts at the trough of public funding. Enjoy your pay freeze or 99 weeks of unemployment.

Andrew Sydor

I was skeptical of this idea until I saw that a Koch-funded drone from the right-wing Manhattan Institute was against it. Must be some good in it after all, if the Kochs are agin' it!

ganghiscon

They're probably against the use of union labor.

ihateloggingin

Conventions are a dying model. Only Las Vegas still attracts them because delusional business men who watch too many movies think they will get laid.

MermaidFornicator

nobody is going to want to have their convention in queens.

did these idiots also forget that 7 train is being extended to the current javits center. they would be wasting even more money once they factor that in.

RobNYC

I was just going to mention that whole 7 Extension. Seems like a waste to do all that work and then move the convention center to another borough. I doubt they'll build one out in Queens though.

Cyclerock

I agree. The 'Big City' is a more attractive location. No offense to that area of Queens, but Manhattan has all the biggest touristy spots.

aspiringrapper

Yeah no one went to the World's Fair.

Starry Gordon

The World's Fairs were something, not another dumb convention.

matthaze

$463 million of public money being spent to renovate the place and it STILL leaks. Brilliant.

Emmily_Litella

Part of $463 M but yeah

pendejito

Where have I heard of this business model before, oh Iraq, that's it!

Destroy Iraq, and de-militarize it. Send in Haliburton, rebuild the fucking country, and then, arm it to the teeth with F-16s and other American weaponry. Win win for everybody!

Except the taxpayer.