Jets poised
to score stadium

Seven MTA board members
support the West Side football plan

BY PETE DONOHUE and MICHAEL SAUL
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS


These plans may really come to life soon.

The Jets should get ready for a victory dance in the end zone - the team is on the verge of winning the MTA's West Side railyards.
Seven members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, including the head of the agency's real estate committee, plan to vote for the Jets' offer, the Daily News has learned.

"The Jets' deal is hands-down the best deal," said James Simpson, chairman of the MTA's real estate committee. "The Jets is a much better deal for the city and the state."

The MTA board - a panel composed of 17 voting members, four of whom cast one collective vote - will consider the bids tomorrow. If the Jets get one more vote, the team will have the land for the stadium. If the balloting is tied 7 to 7, MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow, who has not yet declared his position, can cast an extra, deciding vote.

Whit Clay, a spokesman for Cablevision, one of the three bidders for the site and the stadium's chief foe, said favoring the Jets' proposal meant "throwing away hundreds of millions of dollars."

Cablevision sent the MTA a letter yesterday clarifying that the company is prepared "to pay the full purchase price" - $400 million - "immediately following its selection."

Although the Jets have offered $720 million, only $50 million would be upfront.

A source told The News that all four of the mayor's appointees are expected to vote for the Jets.

One board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, predicted: "There will be broad support on the board, from both city and gubernatorial representatives, for the Jets. The bid is that superior."

Another board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "I'm going to go with the Jets. It's a better deal in the long run, it's a better deal for New York, and for the MTA, too."

Mark Lebow, one of Mayor Bloomberg's four representatives on the MTA board, told The News that board members still are deciding. But he added, "The Jets have a lot of advantages. It's hard money."

Board members received briefings on the three remaining bids for the property yesterday.

Gov. Pataki, who supports the stadium and appoints the majority of the MTA's board, said yesterday he's confident the Jets will prevail.

The stadium serves as the centerpiece of the city's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Awarding the property to the Jets would be an enormous victory for the team and an embarrassing defeat for Cablevision, which has spent more than $20million during the past year on lobbying and an ad campaign to defeat the stadium - competition for itsMadison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall.

Even if the Jets get the MTA's nod, the deal still needs the approval of two state boards, the Empire State Development Corp. and the Public Authorities Control Board.

Jackson1011 Wrote:Jets poised
to score stadium

Seven MTA board members
support the West Side football plan

BY PETE DONOHUE and MICHAEL SAUL
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS


These plans may really come to life soon.

The Jets should get ready for a victory dance in the end zone - the team is on the verge of winning the MTA's West Side railyards.
Seven members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, including the head of the agency's real estate committee, plan to vote for the Jets' offer, the Daily News has learned.

"The Jets' deal is hands-down the best deal," said James Simpson, chairman of the MTA's real estate committee. "The Jets is a much better deal for the city and the state."

The MTA board - a panel composed of 17 voting members, four of whom cast one collective vote - will consider the bids tomorrow. If the Jets get one more vote, the team will have the land for the stadium. If the balloting is tied 7 to 7, MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow, who has not yet declared his position, can cast an extra, deciding vote.

Whit Clay, a spokesman for Cablevision, one of the three bidders for the site and the stadium's chief foe, said favoring the Jets' proposal meant "throwing away hundreds of millions of dollars."

Cablevision sent the MTA a letter yesterday clarifying that the company is prepared "to pay the full purchase price" - $400 million - "immediately following its selection."

Although the Jets have offered $720 million, only $50 million would be upfront.

A source told The News that all four of the mayor's appointees are expected to vote for the Jets.

One board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, predicted: "There will be broad support on the board, from both city and gubernatorial representatives, for the Jets. The bid is that superior."

Another board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "I'm going to go with the Jets. It's a better deal in the long run, it's a better deal for New York, and for the MTA, too."

Mark Lebow, one of Mayor Bloomberg's four representatives on the MTA board, told The News that board members still are deciding. But he added, "The Jets have a lot of advantages. It's hard money."

Board members received briefings on the three remaining bids for the property yesterday.

Gov. Pataki, who supports the stadium and appoints the majority of the MTA's board, said yesterday he's confident the Jets will prevail.

The stadium serves as the centerpiece of the city's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Awarding the property to the Jets would be an enormous victory for the team and an embarrassing defeat for Cablevision, which has spent more than $20million during the past year on lobbying and an ad campaign to defeat the stadium - competition for itsMadison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall.

Even if the Jets get the MTA's nod, the deal still needs the approval of two state boards, the Empire State Development Corp. and the Public Authorities Control Board.

These cablevision guys sound pretty cutthroat. There was an article on here yesterday stating they had put together the superior package and now all the voting members say the Jets put together the best deal hands down? Me thinks the author of said article may be in someones pocket. Good stuff though, if the stadium happens I have no doubt the BAB will be a major player in College Football with the politicos that have lined up in support of it.

Jets won in a unanimous vote. Two more committees to vote, but should not be a problem.

tigercat Wrote:Jets won in a unanimous vote.  Two more committees to vote, but should not be a problem.

Actually you are mistaken--NY politics is never a sure thing. Tigercat don't you live in NY?

A UConn fan (Pudge) from the rivals board said he thinks it will get snagged at the state level. He has some connections with those who are working it in Albany.

Just remember in New York Politics: "Quid Pro Quo" is the way these deals happen. Until everybody has a favor done nothing gets done.

Great News About the Stadium, It was approved Yesterday!


NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York's hopes of hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics were boosted on Thursday when a controversial $720 million bid to build a stadium on Manhattan's West Side was approved after a bitter political battle won by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority -- which runs the city's public transit systems -- awarded the National Football League Jets the rights to build a stadium over its dilapidated West Side rail yards that would also serve as a centerpiece for the 2012 Games if they are won by New York.

A new stadium to hold opening and closing ceremonies and stage the track and field competition was considered a critical element in New York's Olympic bid.

"Today's vote is a great victory for New York City," Deputy Mayor and New York's Olympic bid leader Dan Doctoroff said in a statement, "and is essential to the success of our city's Olympic dream."

The proposed 75,000-seat, retractable roof stadium -- slammed by architecture critics as a monolithic eyesore in a neighborhood in need of revival -- is expected to cost nearly $2 billion, with the city and state sharing in that cost.

Critics of the plan have said the project will saddle the city with debts for generations to come while City Hall insists the stadium will bring much-needed jobs and tax revenues.

The two other bids to develop the 13-acre (five-hectare) site were higher, but intense campaigning by Bloomberg and Gov. George Pataki carried the day.

MTA approval does not guarantee the stadium project, which must still win consent from two state government boards and survive threats of legal action from rivals.

But clearing this major hurdle and beating back development bids of $760 million from Cablevision Systems Corp. and a $1.05 billion from TransGas Energy Systems, figures to make New York's Olympic plan look solid and cast a positive glow on other promises made by Bloomberg.

"He's a winner and his team is a winning team," International Olympic Committee evaluation commission chairwoman Nawal El Moutawakel said about her confidence in Bloomberg after a visit in February by the 13-member panel.

The IOC will choose between finalists New York, Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow in a vote in July. New York had been seen as a dark horse in the race but has been viewed in a better light in recent weeks.

Bloomberg, bucking public opposition and a vigorous anti-stadium advertising campaign by Cablevision, which owns nearby entertainment arena Madison Square Garden, said the stadium plan and related development would create 7,500 permanent jobs, up to 14,000 construction jobs and produce about $67 million in new tax revenue in its first year.

"New Yorkers will be the big winners if this project becomes reality," Bloomberg said.

A Quinnipiac poll issued on Thursday showed that 53 percent of New York City voters surveyed opposed building a new stadium compared to 38 percent in favor. Support for hosting the Olympics was backed by voters 63 percent to 30.

The stadium is expected to draw other major sporting events to New York and attract convention business, officials said.

NFL owners have already awarded the 2010 Super Bowl to New York, provided the stadium is built by 2009.

TexanMark Wrote:

tigercat Wrote:Jets won in a unanimous vote.  Two more committees to vote, but should not be a problem.

Actually you are mistaken--NY politics is never a sure thing. Tigercat don't you live in NY?

A UConn fan (Pudge) from the rivals board said he thinks it will get snagged at the state level. He has some connections with those who are working it in Albany.

Just remember in New York Politics: "Quid Pro Quo" is the way these deals happen. Until everybody has a favor done nothing gets done.

Yes, live in NYC. By no problem, it was stated the first two "committees" or whatever they are called. Yes, I agree it is still a political hot potato (sorry I didn't make that clear).

Also, MSG group is going to sue. Their attorney said this will involve months, if not years of litigation.

While the situation looks better, pro stadium, it is no way a done deal (that we know of :)
Also, was stated NYC is "again" on the list of three cities in the running for Olympics (not sure the source, was mentioned on NBC 4 here). I think its Paris. The Superbowl would checkmate that loss however.

ucbearcat4ever Wrote:Great News About the Stadium, It was approved Yesterday!


NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York's hopes of hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics were boosted on Thursday when a controversial $720 million bid to build a stadium on Manhattan's West Side was approved after a bitter political battle won by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority -- which runs the city's public transit systems -- awarded the National Football League Jets the rights to build a stadium over its dilapidated West Side rail yards that would also serve as a centerpiece for the 2012 Games if they are won by New York.

A new stadium to hold opening and closing ceremonies and stage the track and field competition was considered a critical element in New York's Olympic bid.

"Today's vote is a great victory for New York City," Deputy Mayor and New York's Olympic bid leader Dan Doctoroff said in a statement, "and is essential to the success of our city's Olympic dream."

The proposed 75,000-seat, retractable roof stadium -- slammed by architecture critics as a monolithic eyesore in a neighborhood in need of revival -- is expected to cost nearly $2 billion, with the city and state sharing in that cost.

Critics of the plan have said the project will saddle the city with debts for generations to come while City Hall insists the stadium will bring much-needed jobs and tax revenues.

The two other bids to develop the 13-acre (five-hectare) site were higher, but intense campaigning by Bloomberg and Gov. George Pataki carried the day.

MTA approval does not guarantee the stadium project, which must still win consent from two state government boards and survive threats of legal action from rivals.

But clearing this major hurdle and beating back development bids of $760 million from Cablevision Systems Corp. and a $1.05 billion from TransGas Energy Systems, figures to make New York's Olympic plan look solid and cast a positive glow on other promises made by Bloomberg.

"He's a winner and his team is a winning team," International Olympic Committee evaluation commission chairwoman Nawal El Moutawakel said about her confidence in Bloomberg after a visit in February by the 13-member panel.

The IOC will choose between finalists New York, Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow in a vote in July. New York had been seen as a dark horse in the race but has been viewed in a better light in recent weeks.

Bloomberg, bucking public opposition and a vigorous anti-stadium advertising campaign by Cablevision, which owns nearby entertainment arena Madison Square Garden, said the stadium plan and related development would create 7,500 permanent jobs, up to 14,000 construction jobs and produce about $67 million in new tax revenue in its first year.

"New Yorkers will be the big winners if this project becomes reality," Bloomberg said.

A Quinnipiac poll issued on Thursday showed that 53 percent of New York City voters surveyed opposed building a new stadium compared to 38 percent in favor. Support for hosting the Olympics was backed by voters 63 percent to 30.

The stadium is expected to draw other major sporting events to New York and attract convention business, officials said.

NFL owners have already awarded the 2010 Super Bowl to New York, provided the stadium is built by 2009.