Opposes west side development

Patrick J. Lynch, president of the New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association said:

“The PBA believes that developing the West Side of Manhattan and the Javits Center is important to the economic growth and future fiscal strength of the city. We also believe that the Mayor’s plan to build a football stadium is not the best way to go to achieve that economic growth. The financing of the football stadium and the diversion of revenue generated by PILOTS (payments in lieu of taxes) will have a devastating impact on the city’s operating budget and will artificially impact the city’s ability to pay fair wages to its employees. Privately funded development of this valuable parcel of land makes much more sense. It will benefit the MTA that runs the city’s mass transit systems and will not be an unnecessary weight on the city’s operating budget. One thing we have learned over the past decade is that safe streets is one of the most critical elements to economic development so any redevelopment plan should address the police resources needed to ensure the safety of the developed area.”