Developers team up with Jets to make $720m NYSCC bid.

Backed by six of the city's most influential developers, the Jets upped the ante at deadline day this week, offering the MTA nearly $1 billion for the rights to build a stadium on the city's far West Side.

The Jets teamed up with six of the city's biggest developers to offer $720 million for the rights to build the New York Sports and Convention Center and develop the rest of the blighted west side neighborhood into "a vibrant commercial and residential district."

While Madison Square Garden later trumped the Jets' offer at $760 million and unveiled their affordable housing plans to appease the community and those opposed to the stadium, the Jets got down to brass tacks announcing the backing of the Glenwood Management Organization, Jack Resnick & Sons, Inc.; Rockrose Corporation; the Related Companies, L.P.; Donald Zucker Organization; and Brodsky Organization.

The developers approached Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, to mediate a partnership with the Jets.

Spinola said, " Six REBNY members have stepped forward because they believe the New York Sports and Convention Center is the right project for New York--and specifically for the far west side.

"Construction of the New York Sports and Convention Center will create enormous value for this area, which is why our members are making this significant financial commitment. By filling an empty hole with an exciting new facility that will generate tremendous year-round activity, the NYSCC will accelerate development of the entire area made possible by the recent rezoning of the west side and make the development rights over the west rail yards far more valuable."

The Jets proposal was hand-delivered to the MTA on deadline day by ten current and former players. "After four years of hard work and planning, we are proud to put forward what we believe is the best proposal for the MTA, for straphangers, for the community and for all New Yorkers," said New York Jets President Jay Cross.

According to the Jets, NYSCC would generate almost $1 billion in new tax revenue and public infrastructure improvements, 18,000 construction jobs and 7,000 permanent jobs.

The Jets have also proposed the creation of a 199-seat community theater, a museum, 30,000 s/f of neighborhood retail space along 11th Avenue, a riverfront cafe along the Hudson River, and a community market under the restored High Line.

Consistent with the RFP's invitation to submit a proposal enhanced by a subsequent rezoning, the group of developers will pay the MTA for excess development rights created on the western yard, and in turn, build millions of square feet of new development off-site.

The group believes that only the creation of the NYSCC can realize the transformation of the west side into a vibrant commercial and residential district and enhance the value of the development rights. The NYSCC will take four years to build, quickly removing the long-festering blight of the rail yard that has impeded west side revitalization for decades. Therefore, the development team will proceed with the purchase of the excess development rights only if the Jets proposal is selected.

The NYSCC proposal provides the MTA with immediate and certain value. Any other development scenario would cover over the western yard in phases, resulting in 15 years or more of interminable construction. In addition, any other project would require new environmental impact analysis, a process that could tack on years of further delay. In contrast, the NYSCC has completed the EIS process, including numerous public meetings and comment periods and millions of dollars in detailed environmental and engineering work.

In addition to serving as home to the New York Jets 10 days a year, the NYSCC will be active over 150 days a year as a 180,000 s/f convention center, offering column free space of virtually infinite height suitable for conventions and trade shows in a plenary hall. At times, it will complement the Javits Center, providing ancillary space to existing shows. At other times, it will serve as New York's only mid-size convention center offering the finest corporate hospitality in the nation, home to New York's signature restaurants. Already, four of the biggest show producers in the world have committed to bring new shows to New York in the NYSCC.

The NFL last week announced it would bring the Super Bowl to the NYSCC, which will be able to compete for other major world-class events that cannot be accommodated otherwise, such as the NCAA Final Four and soccer World Cup.

The Jets intend for the NYSCC to set a new standard in sustainable design for a building of its type by harnessing renewable energy sources and implementing conservation strategies in its operations. The Jets fostered a unique partnership between the architectural, environmental and mechanical engineers to create a building that embodies green architecture. These features include use of environmentally friendly construction practices, as well as implementation of a series of water and wastewater conservation and re-use methodologies, including collecting and reusing millions of gallons of storm water on the roof of the building, and reducing overall consumption with waterless urinals. In addition, the Jets are committed to meeting a portion of the NYSCC's electricity needs with green power.

The Jets have signed an agreement with members of the minority and women owned business community to ensure participation in the construction of the NYSCC. The plan will increase involvement from the small business community, coordinate with labor to provide employment, job training and education for the MWBE community.