http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#3068 The U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved $2 billion in tax credits to finance the rail link between downtown Manhattan and JFK Airport. Brooklyn residents are pressing for more stops along the line to make it an alternative to overcrowding on the A/C, 4/5 and 2/3 subway lines. 2007-09-25 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#2757 Yesterday federal funding for the Downtown-LIRR-JFK Rail Link passed through the House Ways and Means Committee, and is on its way to New York State’s congressional delegation for final approval. The funding bill is the last $2 billion that the Bush Administration promised to New York City to rebuild Lower Manhattan after 9/11. 2007-06-21 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#2620 In order to win support from state officials for his anti-traffic tax plan, New York City Mayor Bloomberg may agree to fund a larger portion of the Second Avenue Subway, and scrap plans for a Downtown JFK Rail Link. This concession is part of the negotiations over a bill on congestion prices that the Mayor wants to conclude before Memorial Day. 2007-05-21 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#2301 The $6 billion proposal to create a direct rail link between Downtown Manhattan and Jamaica, Queens is being reconsidered by public officials and transportation planners. Senator Schumer, who leads a delegation of New York officials strongly supportive of the plan like Senator Clinton and Mayor Bloomberg, declared that $2 billion is available for the $6 billion bill because of tax credits committed to the city after the 9/11 attacks. A feasibility report of the project is expected in June, led by the MTA, the Port Authority, the city's Economic Development Corporation, and splinters of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. While the plan largely has the backing of real estate and business leaders, some transportation planners are uncertain of the link's projected benefits. In addition, some believe that Governor Eliot Spitzer is prioritizing other transportation projects before the proposed rail link. 2007-03-27 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#2064 Governor Spitzer's expressed willingness to create more public-private partnerships has inspired a movement among investment bankers to propose buying state assets to finance those projects. So far, discussions have occurred between private firms and government agencies, like the Thruway Authority, the Empire State Development Corporation, the Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Private ownership of public infrastructure has grown nationally in recent years, as states like Illinois, Indiana, and California have sold their toll roads to the private sector. Proponents believe that public-private partnerships improve project efficiency and quality, while opponents fear that such deals exclude the public and the ability to change course. Only the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has not entered into discussions. 2007-02-18 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#1975 President Bush is expected to renew a proposal for the second year in a row that would allow $2 billion in tax credits, initially authorized to New York after the 9/11 attacks, to build an anticipated rail link between J.F.K. airport, Long Island, and Downtown Manhattan. The project has heavy support not only from the president, but prominent New York politicians. The proposal failed in Congress last year when the Senate refused to approve the House version of an omnibus tax bill that included the project. Mayor Bloomberg also praised the link, which would allow commuters and rail travelers to transfer from Jamaica Station to lower Manhattan, citing $12 billion in annual revenue. 2007-02-02 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#1692 Among the projects that New York’s senior senator said are priorities are the Second Avenue subway, a rail link between lower Manhattan and JFK Airport, and building a new tunnel under the Hudson River to connect Midtown with New Jersey. 2006-11-20 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#1544 Queens officials and business leaders are excited by the potential benefits of a Downtown JFK-LIRR rail link. Specifically, the prospect of strengthening the link between downtown Jamaica and Lower Manhattan could be a boon for the borough, strengthening Jamaica’s link with a major financial center. The $6 billion proposal, which has strong support from the Pataki administration, is in the environmental impact study stage, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2007. 2006-10-20 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#1439 According to a survey by a transit advocacy group, the 2nd Avenue Subway and the Downtown JFK-LIRR Rail Link are top priorities of transit users. 2006-09-22 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#1384 Gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer wants to make transportation his number one priority if elected to office. His top three projects are the 2nd Ave Subway, the LIRR connection at Grand Central Terminal, and the replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The most likely projects to not get pushed through by Spitzer is the downtown JFK rail link and the cross harbor freight tunnel. The Hudson Rail Yards negotiations have already been commented on by Spitzer but he would like to make some changes to the deal’s proceedings. 2006-08-23 15:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#1302 Senators Clinton and Schumer this week are likely to vote against the transfer of federal funding to be used for the proposed $6 billion rail link because the provision for funding is embedded in a monstrous "trifecta bill" that includes such things as lowering estate tax. 2006-08-02 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#1301 The House approved $1.75 billion in tax credits for construction of the JFK-Downtown rail link. Now the Senate must vote on whether or not to approve the tax credits. 2006-07-29 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=76#1300 The House is expected to pass today a $1.75-billion financing deal for the construction of a link allowing Long Island Rail Road commuters to ride directly into lower Manhattan. 2006-07-27 00:00:00