Javits CC Could Benefit From N.Y. Olympic Bid
By Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 5/31/2004
New York City being named a semifinalist for the 2012 Olympics bolstered optimism that plans will advance for expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
The much-needed expansion would increase the center's exhibit space from 814,000 square feet to 1.3 million sq. ft., and meeting room space from 22,799 sq. ft. to 297,718 sq. ft. Plans also call for construction of a 50-story, 1,500-room hotel at 42nd Street and 11th Ave-nue, and an Olympic Stadium that could later house the New York Jets as well as additional exhibit space.
New York 2012, the committee backing the city's Olympic bid, proposes that six indoor sport competitions be held at the Javits.
"We're optimistic that the Javits expansion, as part of the announced Convention Corridor on Manhattan's West Side, will be completed so that the center can contribute its facilities for the indoor sports envisioned during those summer games eight years from now," said Mike Eisgrau, the center's director of public affairs.
Public funds are expected to finance the Javits expansion, in addition to parks, the No. 7 subway line and building platforms over the railway yards for the $800-million, privately financed stadium.
The environmental and public reviews of the Javits expansion, as well as extension of the subway line, are scheduled for completion this year, with construction starting in 2005. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has characterized the projects as central to the Olympic bid.
Earlier this month, the list of hopefuls was reduced to London, Madrid, Moscow, Paris and New York. The Intl. Olympic Committee will select the host city on July 6, 2005.
