Two consultants picked for Far West Side development. (Design and Development).

New York City Economic Development Corporation president Andrew M. Alper and City Planning Director Amanda M. Burden announced the selection of two teams of consultants to assist in development efforts for the Far West Side of Manhattan.

Economics Research Associates and Cushman & Wakefield have been chosen as the real estate revenue consultant team, and Cooper Robertson & Partners with Arquitectonica will provide urban design services. These selections are the result of request for proposals issued by EDC on Apr. 28.

"The development of the Hudson Yards is a high priority of the Bloomberg Administration," said Alper. "For New York City to remain competitive in attracting and retaining businesses, we must be able to offer cost-effective locations and alternative business districts. This area has long been overlooked, but with strategic planning, has real potential to become both a vital central business district and a mixed-use community."

"This area has the capacity to become an extraordinary central business district, integrating new housing, open space, and connections to the waterfront," said Burden. "Its success will depend on making appropriate infrastructure investments coupled with a comprehensive urban design plan that creates an identity and a sense of place for the area, incorporating design excellence with open space and streetscape improvements."

In late 2001, the Department of City Planning issued a strategy for the Hudson Yards (Far West Midtown: A Framework for Development), a 59-block area bounded on the east by Seventh and Eighth Avenues, on the north by W. 42nd St., on the south by W. 28" St., and the Hudson River to the west. The area has seen little investment or growth in the last several decades, despite an extensive infrastructure grid, large commercial uses, such as the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Madison Square Garden, the Penn Plaza office buildings, and major Post Office facilities. The Framework laid out general principles and a strategy to revitalize the area through infrastructure investments, including the extension of the IRT #7 Subway Line, and improvements and zoning changes to reflect its growth potential. "The Far West Side represents an enormous opportunity for growth and redevelopment," said Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff. "The area has the potential to offer much needed new office, r etail and residential space which are so critical to the City's economic future. The revitalization of the Far West Side will require comprehensive planning as well as strategic financing and investment."

Economics Research Associates and Cushman & Wakefield will collaborate with the City's Office of Management and Budget and EDC to evaluate the real estate development potential described in the Framework and project the revenue that would result from sources such as incremental property taxes, zoning-based development fees, and sale of development rights in the area. Estimates resulting from the ERA/ C&W study will enable the City to determine the feasibility of issuing bonds to support the necessary infrastructure improvements.

"We believe that the development of the Far West Side of Manhattan offers the City an opportunity to create another vibrant and exciting 24-hour community and ERA is pleased to be part of the process," said ERA president Patrick Phillips, who will lead the ERA team along with Kate Coburn, principal of ERA's New York Office.

Cooper Robertson and Arquitectonia, in collaboration with City Planning and EDC, will develop an urban design and open space plan based on the land use, density and design principles described in the Framework. The plan will incorporate the proposed expansion of the IRT #7 Subway Line and the potential expansion of the Javits Center. The goal of these efforts is to develop a comprehensive urban design strategy to create a cohesive neighborhood that integrates the existing and new environment and reconnects the area to the City and to the waterfront. This will be accomplished through a combination of new high-density commercial and residential development, entertainment and cultural facilities, generous open spaces, streetscape enhancements and transportation improvements.

"Far West Midtown is already a distinctive part of the City. We expect to see it develop its unique character as a highly desirable and sustainable large-scale, mixed-use community," said Alexander Cooper, partner in charge of Cooper Robertson & Partners.

The two teams will be expected to work and share data with each other and with relevant City agencies, as well as a third consultant to be named by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. This consultant will work on an Environmental Impact Statement and preliminary engineering on the proposed subway line extension and zoning changes identified in the Framework.