Schumer: thinking big will keep city on track.

Senator Charles Schumer urged support this week for the West Side development and the extension of the No. 7 subway line, as well as for the rebuilding of downtown and other critical infrastructure projects.

With the state's inaction on the approval of the MTA capital 2005-2009 plan, the funding for the No. 7 Line, like many of the MTA's planned projects that calls for more than $17.2 billion in capital improvements and nearly $10 billion toward major expansion projects, hangs in the balance. Senator Schumer, speaking to members of the Partnership for New York City this week at NASDAQ headquarters, said New York City must move ahead with its planned infrastructure and redevelopment projects, in order for the city to flourish economically.

The state MTA Capital Program Review Board is expected to rule on the MTA budget before the end of the month.

"We can continue to delay projects--critical projects like the #7, turn our backs on the future, and feed the culture of inertia or we can move forward," he said. "New York faces stiff economic competition from other U.S. cities and major cities across the globe and we need to invest in our own economic future. To do so, we must push ahead with our long term goals --unlocking the potential of the less developed parts of the City, like the Far West Side--while continuing the most vital work of rebuilding Downtown. We can and we must do both."

The Public Authorities Control Board is to vote this month on the MTA's proposed $27.8 billion operating and capital improvement plan budget. "We must summon up not only the will to pursue the #7, rebuild Downtown, and pursue other grand plans, but I believe we must also commit more public dollars to large transportation-oriented public works," he said.

Senator Schumer also said with the Jets NYSCC's plans seemingly deflated after the Public Authorities Control Board denied $300 million in state funding for the stadium, the Javits Center expansion plan should now be revamped to increase space even further. The current plan calls for expanding the space from 790,000 million s/f to 1.75 million s/f.

"I believe it is worth revisiting the Javits expansion design and consider adding more space, possibly on the former stadium site over the Western Rail Yards," Schumer said. "Why not consider expanding the Javits Center even further, perhaps to as much as 3 million square feet, which would make us the largest convention center in the United States."

The Jets are still saying they are weighing all their options, including the West Side of Manhattan. The football team is currently seeking land use approval from the City Council.

Construction industry leaders are saying lets not count the Jets out yet.

"I think a decision can and should be made after the Jets make its decision," said Lou Coletti, Building Trades Employers' Association.

"The jets have been awarded the bid. If they close on the property or they don't close on the property, I think the first option should still be reserved for the Jets."

In addition, a New York state court of appeals ruled this week that the MTA fairly awarded the Jets the development rights to the West Side rail yards.

The decision upholds a ruling made earlier this month by state Supreme Court Justice Herman Cahn, who dismissed four lawsuits seeking to overturn the award.

Meanwhile, Schumer said the land is a too valuable of an asset to sit idle and the No. 7 subway line is the key.

"The Hudson Rail Yards is the last significant developable parcel in Midtown Manhattan and building the No. 7 extension will light a stick of development dynamite under the Far West Side," Schumer said.

The No. 7 line is just one of the projects on the MTA's must have list, and Schumer said funding must be found for these vital projects, which include: the $16.8 billion Second Avenue Subway; the $6.3 billion "East Side Access" link for the Long Island Rail Road to reach Grand Central Terminal; a $2.1 billion extension of the No. 7 subway line from Times Square to 34th Street on the Far West Side, and a direct LIRR link from Lower Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, the price for which is still undetermined.

"I believe we have a rare moment here in New York--we have strong political consensus on a number of key transportation projects needed for our region," Schumer said.

"Funding for these projects can be found in a number of different pots--the reauthorization of TEA-21 and the annual Federal Transportation Appropriations process, our remaining September 11 funding, and bonding future revenues from the Far West Side."

New York City's infrastructure has and will continue to be vitally important and should not take a back seat to other development, Schumer said.

"We should think big on the Javits Center, we must think big on transportation, which will always be the most important driver of economic growth of our city, our region, and our state."