NYS Seal

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING


SUBJECT:

The plans and progress of West Side Manhattan redevelopment as implemented by state public authorities and other public benefit corporations.

PURPOSE:

This hearing will examine the expansion of the Jacob Javits Convention Center, the extension of the 7 line of the MTA subway, and the sale of development rights over the MTA's West Manhattan rail yards (Hudson Yards), and the probable effects of these projects.

NEW YORK CITY
Thursday, December 20, 2007
11:00 a.m.
250 Broadway
Room 1923, 19th Floor
New York, New York

Note: This hearing was originally scheduled for December 14th.

ORAL TESTIMONY WILL BE BY INVITATION ONLY


Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PA), and other public benefit corporations and local development corporations associated with these authorities and municipal corporations, acting in concert, are committing funds and developing plans for projects involving the redevelopment of the West Side of Manhattan. These apparently separate projects are inextricably bound together.

These projects are: the expansion of the Jacob Javits Convention Center (Javits); the extension of the 7 line of the subway; and the sale of development rights over the MTA's West Manhattan rail yards (Hudson Yards). Each faces its own challenges. Javits is becoming prohibitively expensive, the 7 Line is likely to cost well over estimates with no assurance that overruns will not affect other MTA capital projects, and the Hudson Yards proposal, even if successful, will likely not provide anticipated revenues in the hoped for amounts. These issues, and the persistent ones of potential underestimated budgets and late completions, must be explored and understood. The fiscal interests of the state, the development needs of the City, the impacts on local communities both on the West Side and elsewhere, and the long-term health of these state entities are all in play.

This public hearing will explore these issues, with the goal of improving project plans so that the West Side will be developed vigorously and successfully with the rational commitment of public funds as needed to insure that success.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in considering testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.


Richard L. Brodsky
Chair
Assembly Committee on Corporations,
Authorities and Commissions


Questions

What is the current status of the projects, including the amount and sources of public funding that may be needed?

How will the problems with Javits expansion affect the value of the Hudson Yards proposal and the MTA Capital Plan?

Who will bear the cost of overruns on the 7 line, and what will their impact be on the Second Avenue subway, East Side Access, and the MTA Capital Plan?

Can a first-class convention center be built on the site of the existing facility, at what cost, and if not, what are the alternatives?

What are the impacts of these projects on housing and commercial development elsewhere in New York City, and in the surrounding neighborhoods?



PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on West Side Manhattan Redevelopment are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail or fax it to:

Simonia Brown
Analyst
Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
Room 542 - Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
E-mail: browns@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4881
Fax: (518) 455-4128


box I plan to attend the public hearing on West Side Manhattan Redevelopment to be held by the Assembly Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.

box I have been invited to make a public statement at the hearing. I will answer any questions that may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.

box I would like to be added to the Committee's mailing list for notices and reports.

box I would like to be removed from the Committee's mailing list.

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I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:






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