Javits: Long-awaited
expansion still simmering
The newest proposal
for the expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New
York City’s main exhibition hall, carries with it a hefty $4
billion price tag, according to a report by The New York
Times.
The budget is more than double that of
an earlier plan, approved during the administration of New York’s
previous governor, George E. Pataki, which called for 300,000
square feet of additional exhibition space at a cost of $1.8
billion. Current Gov. Eliot Spitzer openly expressed his
disapproval of that project and for several months has considered
various alternatives. City officials said delays are racking up $17
million a month in rising construction costs.
The latest proposal features 550,000
square feet of exhibit and meeting space in a three-story
expansion. If the plan is approved by the state, the total square
footage of the center will increase to 1.34 million.
At press time, Javits officials would
not comment on the plan.