Senator Squadron Raised Nearly-Abandoned MTA Building at New Chair’s Confirmation, Urged Agency to Move Forward with NYU-Poly Applied Sciences Proposal
ALBANY – State Senator Daniel Squadron welcomed MTA Chair Joe Lhota’s comments at his confirmation hearing today on the future of the nearly-abandoned former MTA headquarters at 370 Jay Street. Mr. Lhota said, “Jay Street will happen long before 347 Madison," referring to the MTA’s planned sale of its midtown headquarters. Mr. Lhota also stated that the MTA will work with the City to remove the communications equipment that remains in the building.
Senator Squadron and his colleagues have been urging the City and the MTA to move forward with NYU-Poly’s proposal for a Center for Urban Science and Progress in the space. The MTA, which has a long-term lease on the building, and the City, which owns the building, must reach an agreement before it can be transferred to a new owner.
Senator Squadron serves on the Transportation and Finance Committees, which held hearings on Mr. Lhota’s confirmation this afternoon. At the hearings, Senator Squadron raised the issue of 370 Jay Street, as well as possible fare increases and recent bus cuts.
“For years, Downtown Brooklyn’s extraordinary potential has been limited by the nearly-abandoned former MTA headquarters at 370 Jay Street,” said Senator Squadron. “Chairman Lhota’s comments today were a welcome sign of the MTA’s commitment to putting 370 Jay to use. Now, the City and the MTA must work to make NYU-Poly’s proposal a reality – which would bring jobs to Brooklyn, fuel New York’s growing tech sector, and move forward Downtown Brooklyn’s continued revival.”
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Media Contact: Amy Spitalnick / 212.298.5565
