Transit key to putting the brakes on city brain drain.

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Better public transportation may be a key element in preventing people from leaving the city and state of New York in droves, agreed speakers at a recent Construction Industry Luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel last week.

Featured Speaker Patrick J. Foye, chairman of the Empire State Development Corp. downstate explained how the state overall is still experiencing the effects of a "brain drain" which occurred when downstate lost almost 25% of its 20-35 year olds between 1990-2000. The brain drain is still a long-term problem as young professionals continue to leave the state for a multitude of reasons, Foye said.

Foye detailed Governor Elliot Spitzer's proclaimed "perfect storm" of unaffordability in New York State--which includes New York's ranking of 39th in statewide job creation--and may account for more of the population leaving the state.

One way to keep more people in the state is to link, he said.

"The governor and I share a deep belief that improved infrastructure, especially transportation, is an essential ingredient insuring the city and state's economic future. Under his guidance, the state has invested $1.2 billion in transportation infrastructure and has broken the gridlock on key projects like the Second Avenue Subway," he said.

The city has begun to sway people towards public transportation in more subtle ways.

New York City's record 77 rezonings in 88 neighborhoods to date prove its commitment to directing growth to areas well linked to public transportation and away from areas where people are dependant primarily on cars to get around, said Amanda Burden, head of city planning.

Foye explains the state commitment toward Moynihan Station (which would link several transportation networks together), as evidenced by their $450 million offering toward the state's projected $2 billion price tag, which could help convince the federal government to contribute more.

"We believe that the largest rail hub in the country, with 500,000 people passing through each day, should be a priority of the federal government so we are calling on our partners in Washington to give Moynihan Station the funding it deserves, while not shortchanging the operating and capital needs of Amtrak," he said.

Though plans have yet to be made public Farley reiterated some of the more important elements under consideration. This includes the relocation of Madison Square Garden to the western portion of the Farley Post Office. Plans also include sprinkling the 4.5 millionsquare feet in air rights throughout the neighborhood in a newly created zoning area.

"This dispersion concept would mean less disruption to commuters, less financial risks, and it will tie the development around Moynihan Station to the demands of the market. We favor that sprinkling because it reduces cost and risk to the taxpayer," he said.

This plan will be presented alongside alternative plans to be a massive two tower where Madison Square Gardens currently stands in a scoping document later this year.

"We have moved at an expeditious but deliberate pace," Farley said. "But the complexities here are real and we believe that we have a responsibility to complete a project that leaves a lasting impression on the public consciousness for years to come."