\u201cCreating new jobs in East Midtown \u2013 and across all of New York City \u2013 is essential. We can and should do more with the commercial corridor around Grand Central. All of the ideas and hard work from Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Steel, City Planning Chair Amanda Burden and their teams have propelled the idea of rezoning Grand Central forward. We are fortunate they took the initiative and began this important process.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, a good idea alone is not enough to justify action today. We should rezone East Midtown, but only when we can do so properly. After extensive negotiations, we have been unable to reach agreement on a number of issues in the proposed plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmong other issues, we remain concerned with the price, methodology and timing of the air rights to be sold by the City for the District Improvement Bonus. We are also concerned with the certainty and funding level of the needed infrastructure improvements, which includes both above and below grade needs. The public realm plan is aspirational, and it is unclear at this point whether some of its most visionary improvements can even be executed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are committed to making the best decision for this community and all New Yorkers. We want to see development in the area that is both responsible and encourages growth that keeps us competitive with other cities. But, with so many outstanding issues, there is no good reason to rush the proposal through.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can achieve all of the goals set out by the Bloomberg Administration and do so in a way that respects the interests and perspectives of all of the stakeholders \u2013 the community; the workers who will populate and serve the new and expanded buildings in East Midtown; the landmarks in the area and the developers who support the current proposal.\u201d
\n###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cCreating new jobs in East Midtown \u2013 and across all of New York City \u2013 is essential. We can and should do more with the commercial corridor around Grand Central. All of the ideas and hard work from Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Steel, City Planning Chair Amanda Burden and their teams have propelled the idea of rezoning Grand Central forward.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n