Study: No gain
for Jets in Qns.
The smart money's on Manhattan - not Queens - when it comes to a new stadium for the Jets, according to a report released yesterday by a construction company.
Tishman Construction - which may seek work as a consultant to the Jets, who are dead set on the West Side site - claims the stadium's price tag would be $1.4 billion in either borough.
The Manhattan site, located next to the Javits Center on Manhattan's far West Side, would generate more cash for the city, Tishman contends.
Critics opposed to building the 75,000-seat retractable-dome stadium in Manhattan have suggested Willets Point would make a better, cheaper home.
But Queens Councilman David Weprin said the city risks losing the $800 million the Jets have committed to build a stadium in Manhattan. The city and state have agreed to cough up the $600 million it's expected to cost to build the roof and the platform over the West Side rail yards.
"I'm afraid that the chatter about Queens is not useful and can threaten or delay the huge benefit this plan brings," said Weprin, a Democrat, as he stood with Tishman officials and union leaders.
Tishman Construction President John Livingston said his firm is not interested in building the stadium, but conceded it may seek consulting work.
Councilwoman Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) dismissed the report as self-serving. "They could use an independent study - this isn't that," she said.
Lisa L. Colangelo http://westsidejets.com/fans/jake/all_news/20040517_no_gain
jake · 2004-05-17
Study: No gain for Jets in Qns. The smart money's on Manhattan - not Queens - when it comes to a new stadium for the Jets, according to a report released yesterday by a construction company. Tishman Construction - which may seek work as a consultant to the Jets, who are dead set on the West Side site - claims the stadium's price tag would be $1.4 billion in either borough. The Manhattan site, located next to the Javits Center on Manhattan's far West Side, would generate more cash for the city, Tishman contends. Critics opposed to building the 75,000-seat retractable-dome stadium in Manhattan have suggested Willets Point would make a better, cheaper home. But Queens Councilman David Weprin said the city risks losing the $800 million the Jets have committed to build a stadium in Manhattan. The city and state have agreed to cough up the $600 million it's expected to cost to build the roof and the platform over the West Side rail yards. "I'm afraid that the chatter about Queens is not useful and can threaten or delay the huge benefit this plan brings," said Weprin, a Democrat, as he stood with Tishman officials and union leaders. Tishman Construction President John Livingston said his firm is not interested in building the stadium, but conceded it may seek consulting work. Councilwoman Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) dismissed the report as self-serving. "They could use an independent study - this isn't that," she said. Lisa L. ColangeloNo Gain...
http://westsidejets.com/fans/jake/all_news/20040517_no_gain