New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today, January 7, a $1-billion plan to expand the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
“The Javits Center has long been an economic generator for this state, but we want to build and expand it to ensure it remains a premier venue for the next generation,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. “Through one of the most aggressive development plans in the history of the State of New York, we are transforming one of our largest convention centers into an unparalleled, world-class venue. The new Javits Center will continue to garner millions in economic activity, create jobs and keep New York’s economic momentum moving forward.”
The plan calls for increasing the center’s size by more than 50 percent (from 2.1 million square feet to 3.3 million square feet), increasing truck parking (a 480,000-square-foot truck garage), increasing solar power (a 34,000-square-foot solar array), and creating a 2,500-person capacity green roof terrace with Hudson River views.
“For nearly 30 years, the Javits Center has supported thousands of jobs for New Yorkers, and the center’s expansion will create thousands more for tomorrow,” said Alan Steel, president and CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corp, in a statement. “Every event held at Javits strengthens New York’s economy, and with more exhibition and meeting space, this one-of-a-kind facility will realize its true potential as an economic generator. With a new truck marshaling facility on site, events can move in and out faster than ever before, saving our clients time and money and reducing the number of trucks on the streets.”
Cuomo’s proposal for Javits is projected to create 4,000 full-time jobs and 2,000 part-time jobs. The proposal’s cost will be paid for by the center within existing resources, and construction is set to begin in 2016.
“Manhattan’s West Side has become New York’s next great neighborhood, and this project capitalizes on the worldwide draw of this area,” said Henry Silverman, chairman of the board of directors for the New York Convention Center Operating Corp. and the New York Convention Center Development Corp., in a statement. “With 500,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space on one level, the Javits Center will rival any similar venue across the nation, providing a host of unique meeting spaces that will entice businesses from around the world to unveil their latest innovations here.”
(Image: Office of the Governor Andrew Cuomo)
