Master plan is offered for West Side's wasteland.(from Buckhurst, Fish and Jacquemart ()(Brief Article)

Much has been said about the rail yards. Now it appears that something may actually get done.

Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields recently chose a consulting firm to devlop a "master plan" for the west side rail yards, and a request for proposals was issued in October. According to a spokeswoman from the borough president's office, five firms responded to the RFP.

The consulting firm -- Buckhurst, Fish and Jacquemart (BFJ) -- will coordinate the work program while spearheading the planning and urban design elements of the study. It is too early to determine the nature of the plan, though it will be a mixed-use development.

BFJ, who specialize in urban planning and transportation, have performed feasibility studies and other projects in both the United States and Europe.

"It is evident that the choices we make for the site are extremely critical now and that any step taken today will have a lasting impact on the neighborhood," said borough president Fields in a Dec. 8 press release.

She referred to the "real needs of this borough" as "affordable housing and commercial and open space." Fields also stressed that the plan will balance the needs of businesses -- particularly "growth industries" -- and residents.

"We know that people are feeling disenfranchised in this area," said Lisa Daglian, a spokewoman for the borough president.

"But this plan will be long term. We will be developing it for mixed use with the concerns of the residents in mind."

It already is a concern for residents. Potential projects include an Olympic stadium, an extension of the Javits Center, and a relocated Madison Square Garden, among other possibilities.

Ross Graham, the chairwoman of the Hell's Kitchen Planning Committee for Community Board #4, said that her group "would be happy to talk to BFJ about the project."

"We believe that the area should be developed responsibly," said Graham. "In terms of commercial development, we need to be careful not to throw the baby out with bath water, so to speak."

The first senior vice president for policy communications at the Real Estate Board of New York greeted the news with optimism.

"We think the rail yards are underutilized. It is inevitable that some large scale project will take place here," said Warren Wechsler.

"A lot of this city has been reclaimed in the last eight to ten years. This may be the last, largest section of its type."

Other quarters also embraced the news.

"We are excited by some of the plans, such as a stadium or an extension of the Javits Center and we see no harm in someone else taking a look at this area," said Dan Biederman, president of the 34th Street Partnership.

The partnership covers more than 36 million square feet of commercial space, including Pennsylvania Station, Madison Square Garden, the Herald Square shopping district, and the Empire State Building.

When asked about community opposition, Biederman said that "the residential community isn't the whole story here."

BFJ appears to be cut out for this kind of work. Borough Hall credited their "impressive record in comprehensive master planning and community outreach."

Paul Buckhurst, a principal at BFJ, said that he has already worked with Community Board 4 on the Hudson River Park.

"I will, of course, be working with the community board on this project when we begin in mid-January," said Buckhurst.

"Like any community board, there will be people opposed to what we are doing."