Delays likely for major building projects
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
BY MATTHEW FUTTERMAN
Star-Ledger Staff
Two of the region's major sports-related projects received minor setbacks this week and are facing a more stringent review procedure than was originally suspected.
In New Jersey, the Sports and Exposition Authority has scheduled another series of environmental hearings on the proposed Xanadu project at the Meadowlands sports complex.
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The Mills Corp. of Arlington, Va., and Cranford-based Mack-Cali Realty had hoped to break ground on the $1.3 billion retail and family entertainment complex by Sept. 30.
George Zoffinger, chief executive at the Sports Authority, said after months of resisting, the agency decided additional hearings, known as "5-X hearings," were required under the agency's bylaws and will begin Aug. 5.
"Some people thought these hearings weren't necessary but I want to give the public every opportunity to make their comments," Zoffinger said. "I'm not afraid of the comments."
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, said the hearings will force the developers "to show how they will mitigate the traffic and air pollution damage they will cause."
Meanwhile, in New York, the proposed stadium for the Jets on the West Side of Manhattan may have to win approval on its own merits.
In March, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the proposed $1.4 billion stadium that would rise on the rail yards south of the Jacob Javits Convention Center would be inextricably linked to the center's planned northward expansion.
Expanding the convention center has wide support. However, the stadium project does not, despite claims by the project's boosters that the building will be used for events at the Javits center. The state and city plan to contribute $600 million to build the stadium.
On Monday, Democrats in the New York State Assembly submitted a bill separating the two projects, setting the stage for further debate solely on the stadium proposal rather than its role in the more popular Javits expansion. http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/1089791744222830.xml
jake · 2004-07-14
Delays likely for major building projects Wednesday, July 14, 2004 BY MATTHEW FUTTERMAN Star-Ledger Staff Two of the region's major sports-related projects received minor setbacks this week and are facing a more stringent review procedure than was originally suspected. In New Jersey, the Sports and Exposition Authority has scheduled another series of environmental hearings on the proposed Xanadu project at the Meadowlands sports complex. Advertisement The Mills Corp. of Arlington, Va., and Cranford-based Mack-Cali Realty had hoped to break ground on the $1.3 billion retail and family entertainment complex by Sept. 30. George Zoffinger, chief executive at the Sports Authority, said after months of resisting, the agency decided additional hearings, known as "5-X hearings," were required under the agency's bylaws and will begin Aug. 5. "Some people thought these hearings weren't necessary but I want to give the public every opportunity to make their comments," Zoffinger said. "I'm not afraid of the comments." Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, said the hearings will force the developers "to show how they will mitigate the traffic and air pollution damage they will cause." Meanwhile, in New York, the proposed stadium for the Jets on the West Side of Manhattan may have to win approval on its own merits. In March, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the proposed $1.4 billion stadium that would rise on the rail yards south of the Jacob Javits Convention Center would be inextricably linked to the center's planned northward expansion. Expanding the convention center has wide support. However, the stadium project does not, despite claims by the project's boosters that the building will be used for events at the Javits center. The state and city plan to contribute $600 million to build the stadium. On Monday, Democrats in the New York State Assembly submitted a bill separating the two projects, setting the stage for further debate solely on the stadium proposal rather than its role in the more popular Javits expansion.Building Delays?
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/1089791744222830.xml