westsidestadium.org

Mail Room

The Big Picture

As a Long Island Jet fan I can assure you that if given the choice to take the train to Manhattan or drive to Queens I would choose the former. A West Side Stadium would allow the average fan to be at the game in less than an hour. Any fans that are commuters wouldn't incur any greater costs for transportation as they would already have monthly tickets. Traffic wouldn't be a great concern for the very reason that a stadium in Manhattan would encourage fans to utilize mass-transit. There would actually be less traffic as many Long Island and Connecticut fans drive through the city to get to the Meadowlands. If more fans were to use mass transit I would also imagine instances of drunk driving would decrease.

Additionally, the MTA would increase ridership if a stadium were placed in Manhattan. As a result there would be less fare increases which would benefit all commuters.

Tailgate parties have been a part of the game day experience for a long time. A Manhattan stadium would provide a superior experience for the majority of fans. The bus from the Port Authority to the game is always full of enthusiastic Jet fans. The ride builds the excitement of going to the game. I would prefer to lengthen that experience by sharing it with fans on the L.I.R.R. For a 1:00 pm start, I would get up at 9:30 and bbq some ribs or chicken. If I didn't feel like cooking I'd have heroes. I'd catch the 11:30 Jets Express out of Babylon and be part of a great rolling tailgate party. After the game (hopefully a Jet win) I'd take the 4:30 Jets Express and be home in time for the second half of the 4 o'clock game. Unless of course I decided to go out with friends in the city (since I'm already there!).

I also wouldn't have to worry about the weather. Blizzard or hurricane my tailgate party would always be a warm and dry event.

The Cablevision commercials always mention that $600 million for a stadium would be better spent on raises for police, sanitation, etc. This is not a situation where if they don't spend the money on a stadium the police are going to receive it in the form of raises. A stadium would increase revenues to the city, thereby providing it with greater funding to address the financial concerns of its employees. My closest friend as well as two of my nephews are N.Y.P.D. officers and in lieu of a raise I'm sure that they would be happy with the overtime opportunities that events at the stadium would provide.As opposed to the current situation where these financial benefits are being reaped by N.J. state troopers at the Meadowlands.

The city would also benefit from the fact that money would be spent in New York. Instead of driven through the city and spent in New Jersey.

I would appreciate your opinion of these points. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mark Romaine

Mark, you've laid out in a very clear and coherent style some of the leading arguments for building a stadium on the West Side. You clearly get the big picture. Our problem is that Cablevision has succeeded in defining the issue in the public's mind by pumping tens of millions of dollars into a campaign of lies and distortion, as well as pimping a phony "grass roots" organization called NYABC.

It's stunning to me how effective this campaign of lies has been. But with people like you out there, we still have a good fighting chance.

-T McM, Jr.

From Deep in the Heart of Texas

Hi,

I'm a 16-year old Jets fan living in West Texas(maybe I'm naive, but I seem to feel like the only Jets fan over here) and I've been a regular visitor for your website, I would love to see the Jets go to West Manhattan. Although also a keen supporter of the Knicks and Rangers(i'm an ex-New Yorker), I am deeply disappointed about their ownership and their snubbish attitudes.

I just want to thank you guys for creating this website and keep it up, I got your back over here.

Harsh Singh

Send us your address, Harsh, you need a t-shirt!

Tom McM<orrow, Jr.

Dear Wise Old Egg...

Can you please tell me how I can get in touch with Tom McMorrow? He wrote an article Unforgettable Days in New York's Old Ballparks. In the article, he wrote about his friend, Dr. Norman Juskowitz. I found the article by "googling" the name Norman Juskowitz. I was so moved by this article. Norman Juskowitz said baseball ceased to exist when the Dodgers left Brooklyn.

I can tell you that after that move, Norman Juskowitz didn't pay attention to baseball. He did love sports and oh how he loved the NY Giants and Knicks. I should know. He was my dad, and I went to many a game with him. I would dearly love to be in touch wtih Tom McMorrow if possible.

Thank you for your help.

Amy Juskowitz Sponseller

Tom, Sr., and Mom were so happy to hear from you, Amy.

God Bless.

(Norman Juskowitz and his wife were neighbors and close friends of Tom and Joan McMorrow in post war Stuyvensant Town.)

Don't Give Up, Woody!

I have been a Jet fan all my life, over 40 years. I have been waiting for an owner to finally build us a stadium, and now we have one that is trying.

If this stadium deal does not go through, would Woody still build it in Flushing? Or if the $600 million of taxpayer money is a problem, why doesn't Woody try to make a deal with the Met's or Yanks to share the stadium, they would put up the 600 million.

Don't give up Mr. Johnson, we need this stadium!!

Mike DeFabio

Hi Mike,

I don't have any idea what Woody will do if this stadium doesn't happen.

I would hope that Woody would build it in Queens, but it will be a loss for the city. It won't be an Olympic stadium, it won't have the lure of the Javits Center next door for conventions, and it will not bring in nearly the revenue for the city that the west side stadium would. It is too bad that a few greedy, short sighted people can do this much damage to the future of NYC.

Thanks for writing,

Tom McMorrow, Jr

No Stadium!!!!!

Why don't we spend more money improving the MTA and subway system , clean up the streets of NY, create more security so people wont get kill etc etc etc. instead of wasting money on stupid NONSENSE STADIUMS!!!!....come on this is ridiculous!!!!! ...New York has already enough to offer doesn't need an stadium!!!

Thanks! Eduardo Duarte

Hi Eduardo,

If the city doesn't invest in its future, there will be no money for the MTA, cleaning up the streets, or anything else. You have to spend money to make money.

Tom McMorrow, Jr

Jobs...

Hello,

who do I have to contact to get a job for the people building the stadium?

Thanks, Victor Shiro

Hi Victor, hopefully the obstructionists will lose and we'll get those jobs going, but until then, there are no jobs available on the far west side.

Who the Hell is...

Who the hell is Clyde Haberman.

And what does the Times know about Sports ! What a joke !!!

Brian Forberg - NY

How Could You Print This???

Now you want the Jets to share a stadium with the Giants in New Jersey? Why would you post this???? The Jets will never have an identity, you guys are just a shill for woody. After all the support the Jet fans in NY HAVE GIVEN YOU.... I'd rather see the Jets in LA with their own stadium then them playing second fidile to the Giants for the rest of my life.

Hey, take it easy, Glenn.

I want the Jets here, no place else.

We all pour a hell of a lot of time into this, because we want the Jets in NYC, not NJ and not LA. But, if there is a story about the Jets talking to NJ, why shouldn't people know about it? We're not interested in the company line, we just want to put out the facts, and let our readers decide.

A shill for Woody? Not hardly.

Tom McMorrow, Jr

Boo You People

Dear people who are trying to ruin football games, I cannot believe that any fan of football or the NY Jets would support this stadium. For over 25 years groups of men and woman have expressed their passion for their teams and their creativity by tailgating ,since the Jets were at Shea. People have created Jets buses and RVs as well as special game day recipes for their tailgate party. I am 25 years old and for the past 4 seasons my group of friends have been to almost every Jets home game including a few away games each season. We tailgate every time for up to 3 or 4 hours before the game. We all feel that this is a tradition we would like to continue for many many years. If you take tailgating out of the equation many young fans will have an even harder time going to NFL games. We are not rich and we save all year to buy our tickets and to pay for hotels for our away games. I could not imagine ticket price increases due to NYC Stadium costs. On top of this costs of a Sunday would rise extremely, think $6 beers and $12 burgers in a local bar because we are now a captive audience before we even get into the stadium. Concessions at stadiums or any food service entity that has a captive audience are always sky high. If we were to got to a bar by the stadium at 10am for a 1pm or 4pm game we could end up spending $75 each just for burgers, wings and beer. Not to mention trying to fit at least 30,00 people into bars in the area. This is unacceptable. The success of the NFL comes from the circus like atmosphere that begins across the country at 9am Sunday morning and the passion that each fan has for their team, not to mention the fact that short schedules make every game count. If true game attending fans were surveyed correctly you will see that many are against the stadium. The only people for it are people who would directly benefit monetarily from its creation. You are ruining the chances for future generations of TRI State Area children and adults to enjoy the tradition of tailgating. BOO YOU ALL!

Louis Zameryka

Hi Louis,

Thanks for the email, I'll try to post it on the web site at some point this weekend.

I love tailgating, but as we've said many times before on this web site, we go to the game to see the game, tailgating is a great extra.

You grew up in an era of suburban stadiums, but that era is coming to an end. Look at Detroit, the Motor City. Where did they put their stadium? Downtown. There is still tailgating there, but it is a different experience. They sell out in Detroit, with a team that is not very good. The football experience is always changing.

I started going to Jet games with my dad back at Shea in 1964. We'd take the Number 7 there. Then the Jets moved to the Meadowlands in '84. Because getting out of the parking lot was such a nightmare, we began to tailgate. It's fun, but so was the electric feel of the sunway ride to the game.

Before the Giants played in the Meadowlands, they played at Yankee Stadium. No tailgating, but they built a deep fan base.

The success of the NFL comes from what happens on the field, first and foremost. It's a great game, period.

As a Jet fan, I want the Jets to have their own stadium, and as a New Yorker, I want that stadium to be in Manhattan, where it can act as a center for events year round.

Tom McMorrow, Jr

Queens or else

West side in not happening. Accept it. Either do in Queens or no Olympics

David Garcia

One Sentence Says It All

If Dolan is for it, I'm against it.

G. Cappe

Cablevision Will Lose!

Hi,

I am a long time JET fan and i think that this latest gimmick from Cablevision to buy the railyards for $600 Million is totally disgusting. It's proof that Cablevison is just trying to potect their monopoly.

I'm in total support for the West Side Stadium and I KNOW it will be built. I cannot wait till opening day where all the hard work will pay off, and those roaring fans will shout out J!-E!-T!-S! JETS! JETS! JETS!.

Sincerely, Peter L.

LA better than Jersey

D'amato has always been a shill for anyone who'll give him a buck.

Now it looks like his buddy Jimmy Dolan from Long Island is making him the go between money man between him and Bruno.

This is all sickening! I hope Woody doesn't give into these cowns and moves the team to LA.

Stop with this LA, already!

I'm Very Pissed Off Today...

I said from Day One that Woody needed a Plan B because Manhattan would be difficult, if not impossible, to get done. Well now that Cablevision has dropped the a-bomb, what is Woody going to do now? Shack up with the Giants in NJ for the rest of our lives? He can count me out as a Jet fan if that happens, and he'll have no one to blame but himself. I've been suffering with this franchise for 25 years. My heart was ripped out when they left for NJ in 1984, and I've held out hope for years that they'd finally come back. Queens should've been in Woody's hip pocket this whole time. But instead he's proving to be short-sighted and stupid by putting all his eggs in a very weak basket. I don't see any way the West Side happens now, and I'll be looking for a new football team and basketball team (damned if I'll ever root for a Cablevision team again). I am very pissed off today...

Marc

Go Head to Head with Lawmakers

April 5 is Lobby Day in Albany, where all state lawmakers (assembly & senate)listen to all lobbyists who have a platform regarding things they are standing for. I urge all want the New York Sports and Convention Center built to attend this day and urge those we voted for to Support the West Side Stadium and Stand Up to those who want to kill the project.

John DI Donato

Go, John! Great idea.

LA, LA?

How sickening is it that Woody Johnson is now meeting with the State of New Jersey,

After they have been working with Jimmy boy Dolan all along and have tried to stop the new West side stadium by Filing a lawsuit against us. I guess the neysayers won this time! All the sports writers who are in the pockets of NJ and the Giants win!

If Woody makes a deal with NJ and helps build a stadium for NJ and the Giants I'll no longer be a fan of the team!

I'd really rather Woody threaten to move the team to LA, He'd get more of my respect

Glenn the Jet fan

Glenn, when you see a report in the paper saying this or that, you have to question the source. I'm sure Woody is weighing his options, but most of this Jersey stuff looks to have been planted by the Jersey Sports Authority.

Move to LA? If that ever happened, I sure wouldn't be wearing green on Sundays.

Funny Mushrooms From Utah?

Your Utah native makes a strong "green" plea aimed at Sheas parking lots.

However as a New York Queens "native" I remember when Shea was supposed to get a roof and seats enclosing the outfield. It never did, did it.

Poor Bill Shea

How about some multi level lots and better access roads- not everyone comes from Manhattan some of us come from Long Island and Westchester and other locales.

Thanks and lets remember the Dolans are in the position Ma Bell was prior to 1984 they have no competition in their operating areas. And everyone was ready to tear ATT apart (and did) how about some talk about that deal!

Why do I have to choose cable, satellite, or antenna. Why can't I choose another cable company in the same area?

Tom Kaiser

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your email, I'm going to try and post it this weekend.

The idea of using Shea as an Olympic stadium is so bizarre, it can only be made by one who has either a) never been to Shea or b) been eating strange mushrooms from the mountains of Utah or c) All of the above.

Dolan has had a great year in hockey, anyway.

Tom McMorrow, Jr

Shuffle Off to Buffalo

You make a very value added argument for this facility. But something similar happened many years ago in upstate NY, Erie County.

The county was going to build a new "domed" stadium for the Buffalo (Bumbling) Bills football team. The owner demanded an open stadium on a different site, and an exclusive use contract. If not, the team would leave. Since then, the taxpayers of Erie County have been paying the bill, while only the football team owners make any money. All the stadium costs, repairs, and maintenance fall upon the taxpayers, while all the receipts go to the team. In effect, welfare for the rich. Unless the construction contracts clearly stipulate that the CITY AND STATE COMPLETELY OWN, OPERATE, and CONTROL the use of the stadium, this will just be another welfare subsidy for the uber-rich. So unless the receipts go to the city and state, not the team, let the billionaires of the NFL pay for their own stadium.

J. Matthew Good

Hi J.,

Thanks for the letter, will try to post it on web site this week.

The example you sight proves the point. An open air stadium in Buffalo is good for 10 Bills games a year and that is about it. And it is located in Buffalo. While I love our great city by the lake, it is not a destination of most tourists.

A domed stadium/convention center in Manhattan would bring the Jets to New York, would open the greatest city in the world up for major events year round, would augment the Javits convention center, and would give NYC the ability to host mega events like the Olympics and the Super Bowl.

And, remember, this is not a handout, the Jets are putting up most of the money for the stadium, while guaranteeing against cost-overruns.

Welfare for the rich is wrong, but here you have Johnson laying out huge amounts of money for this project. There are rare cases where public funds make sense when invested into a private enterprise, and this is one of them.

Best, Tom McMorrow, Jr.

Personal Seat Licence

Everybody talks about how the city/state are going to fund their end of the project. Nobody talks about how the Jets are going to fund their end. The answer is PSL! The adds try to make this out as a good deal. NYC pays $600 million and they make money on this investment and the Jets pay $800 million. Well I say it's more like this: NYC has cost overruns pays 1 Billion, loses money. Jets pay ZERO, Jets fans pay $800 million! (80,000 season ticket holder x $10,000 in PSL = $800 million) I'm a NYJets season ticket holder. I've been going to games for over 30 years. The tix have been in my family since 1965. Without fans such as myself, the NYJets wouldn't exist. Now wOOdy johnson wants to price us out going to the games. I say he should lay his cards on the table, I KNOW he won't. It has to do with the quality of the person that he is. Obviously, I don't think highly of him. The Jets have their ads with their Harlem firefighter about how this is good for NYC. Well I just retired as a Hells Kitchen firefighter. I protected the site that you want to build on for 15 years. I know the area and the traffic patterns BETTER than your "experts". I've inspected the Amtrak site several times, responded to calls there many times. I've gone to many fires on the Amtrak train tracks, north of the site. These are usually a result of the homeless who live underground on the side walls of the train tracks. I know when the Javits Center's busy season is and when the slow season is. The Jets fans will have to compete with the Javits patrons for parking. Your plan is a disaster! To bring 80,000 people to this area at the same time is wrong. Everytime that a fire happens, when the 10,000 to 20,000 extra cars are on the streets, people will DIE! Please feel free to respond, I doubt that you will.

Mike Harris

Hi, Thanks for the email, I'll try to post it this weekend.

You are wrong right out of the box.

"NYC has cost overruns pays 1 Billion, loses money." Wrong. The Jets are underwriting the project against any and all cost overruns.

The stadium seats 75,000, not 80,000.

The Jets won't be able to charge $10,000 for PSLs, because they won't sell at that price. I do expect, if they charge PSLs for the club seats, which is about 12,000 (not sure of the exact number, it's in that ball park, club seats are a special section that has waiter service, other such silly, fancy fru-fru) that they would charge a high figure for those seats, I certainly won't be in that section!

The Jets are very aware of the danger of pricing themselves out of the market.

I've been going to Jet games since the first year in Shea, 1964. Tom, Sr., who is 83, prays to see another Super Bowl title.

As far as traffic endangering the public, remember, football is played on Sundays and late Monday nights, the exact times when traffic in that area is at its lightest, and the stadium is being built in an area rich with mass transit.

I know the area very well, since I have lived here my whole adult life.

Final point, I want to thank you so much for your service to this city and to this country. I may disagree with you, but I respect you very much.

Sincerely, Tom McMorrow, Jr.

Grilled Red Herring

Dave Anderson’s "very random and very unscientific" survey has now raised the biggest red herring of all in opposition
to the West Side Stadium – that fans will have nowhere to tailgate. ("Trifling with Tailgating," editorial, December 31).

The tailgate tradition began when the Jets started playing their home games in the swamps of Jersey in a stadium with some other team's name on it. There is one way to get to the Meadowlands - you have to drive. For the Jets traditional fan base - residents of Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, the trip can take hours. Getting there early and staying late are the only ways to beat the traffic. With nothing else to do, tailgating is the only option.

A home for the Jets on the West Side will present countless options, before and after games. Some will bemoan the loss of their beloved barbecues, but new traditions will develop. For true Jets fans, the ones who go to cheer on their team, not to sit under a tent watching the game on TV while gorging themselves on a multi-course spread, a state of the art home for their team is the most important concern. Even Anderson’s survey conducted at one game – not two as the editorial claims – comes out nearly 50-50 on this point.

This Jets fan and many others support the West Side Stadium.

Lowell D. Kern

Times Editorial Smacks of Desperation

Right on for your comments on the Dave Anderson piece (of drivel).  The Times has sunk to a new low. 

 
The Anderson column was bad enough (why didn't he "randomly" survey the folks standing on line for the bus to Port Authority in 20-degree weather about having real mass transit to a West Side stadium?).  But the editorial was an abomination barely worthy of comment.  I really still can't believe they ran something so infantile -- how the Jets and the city will ruin the lives of tailgaters.  That's important editorial fodder in light of what's going on in the world right now.  Where do you start to comment on this?
 
As bad as the Anderson piece was, the editorial smacks of desperation.  Maybe it's a sign that the stadium will actually happen, as it should.
 
Regards,
Dan

Let's Wear Our Colors!

Tom --

I received your email about the upcoming hearing for Monday and Thursday. I have a better idea. Why don't we all wear NY Jets merchandise for one week to show the support that we need for West Side Stadium?

I spoke to sports reporter at the Hosftra college basketball game today. I rather not name the guy but he is sports anchor for 10pm/11pm news. I can't name the guy because I spoke to him "off the record" about West Side Stadium. According to him, he's all for it. There is something that he knows but cant tell me about it because it will be much more than 8-10 Jets home games and Big Apple College Bowl. We have to wait until the stadium is completed before we know what it is. He doesn't understand the fuss coming from Cablevision because Cablevision is one greedy monopolist pig. The traffic wouldn't be that bad because it doesn't involved the rush hours that we all know. The traffic on Sunday is the lightest day of the year as not many people will travel to the game by car. It's possible that some will use MTA transportation.

And, one last thing, why cant Jets have their own stadium in the biggest market in the USA? No wonder why Dolan is having hard time drawing fans to the Knicks game. I guess that's all for now. If you want to mail me another tee shirt, then that's fine with me. If not, I understand because the t-shirt that I have, in the back of the t-shirt, contain NY logo not a picture of West Side Stadium.

I hope to hear from you as soon as possible Roy

Hi, Roy, if you can make it to Thursday's hearing, I'll have a shirt for you, let me know the size!

From Your Lips to God's Ear

Great web site!

If possible, can you please post a timeline/calendar of events? Something like this:

Dec. 16, 2004 - Public Hearing

Jan. 17, 2005 - NYS Approval

Feb. 15, 2005 - NYC Approval

Feb. 25, 2005 - Ground Breaking

June 2005 - IOC Announcement

January 2008 - Stadium Complete!

Anyway, thanks for your efforts!

Regards, Gary Russo

Hi Gary, I love your timeline, let's keep it! Actually, IOC announcement is due July, 2005. All the others are TBA, although I love the last one on your list!
Tom McMorrow, Jr

Why Stop with Dolan?

Hello, my name is John Mudie. I reside in Buffalo N.Y. My cable provider is Adelphia Comm. They are one horrible company, their rates have gone up 45% in the last three years and my friends that work there have not gotten an increase in four years,no more than the cost of living if that.

My question to you is why just go after Cablevision and not the rest of these cable operators, they're all in bed together, one owns part of the other. They treat their employees like red headed step children, they fight Union organizing campaigns with the zeal of the Bush administration and Iraq, and Mr... Dolan has been doing it for quite some time.

I was involved in a campaign in Long Island several years ago and was disgusted at this company's behavior, and treatment of it's employees. I continue to be involved in many other campaigns to organize cable workers, and I find that it doesn't matter who they are the script is the same the intimidation is the same, and unfortunately the results are the same for the most part.

I would ask to be included on an electronic mailing list if available. I was also wondering how does one go about setting up a web page like this. Thank You, and I applaud your effort.

John Mudie Area Vice President Communications Workers of America Local 1122 Buffalo New York

Hi John,

I agree, the cable industry reminds me today of the Robber Barons of the 19th Century. They grabbed a monopoly, and squeezed their customers for every last cent. We're starting a web site called StopCablevision.com, but we can certainly go beyond just Mr. Dolan.

Verdict is In, Now Find the Facts

So let me get this straight...you are willing to pay a one time fee of $1-1500 because the stadium will be so profitable? With that sort of logic, I can understand why you are no rich guy.

If this stadium is going to be so profitable why would I be in favor of the City paying for half using tax payer dollars and I will still need to pay more per game? You may argue that the surrounding area will benefit as a result, but we know that is not true...there are many case studies that prove both sides of the argument. You note that tickets prices will be line with the rest of the league...being in New York I assume that they will be slightly above the average. Since the Patriots currently have the highest priced ticket in the league, averaging $75.33, is it safe to assume tickets prices will average out to about $75-80 per ticket? Appreciate your help. I am researching this topic for an article I'm assisting to write and I would like to make sure I have all the accurate details.

John O'Brien

Hi,

Thanks for your nasty, arrogant letter. We have always been respectful of the opposition. Because someone has a different point of view than ours doesn't give us the right to be rude. At the end of the day, this project will either happen or not, and we will all move on.

You claim to be "...researching this topic for an article I'm
assisting to write and I would like to make sure I have all the accurate
details." Why bother with the details? You don't need facts. All you need is a noose so you can hang 'em high. You would have been right at home at the Salem Witch Trials. The verdict is in, now let's find the facts that fit.

The Independent Budget Office gave a worst case, best case scenario. Worst case, stadium was revenue neutral to the city, that is, it pays for itself. The IBO is hardly pro-stadium. In fact, Ronnie Lowenstein of Independent Budget Office spoke out strongly against the stadium back in February.

The Jets are paying the entire cost of the stadium, $800 million. The city and state are each borrowing $300 million to pay for the deck and the roof, with the latter being key, since that is what will open the city up to winter events it is now not able to compete for. The Jets are also paying for any and all cost overruns.

As long as, in the end, the city is not picking up the tab, there is no reason why the New York Jets should not be allowed to make a profit. They will set a price, and the fans will either pay it or not. The Jets are risking $800 million on the deal. If they charge too much for the PSLs, they will not sell and the Jets will lose money.

The Jets may very well be able to avoid PSLs. The naming rights alone on this stadium would sell for a record amount, and there are plenty of corporations in our city, the money capital of the world, who would be eager to buy private boxes.

However, they can not preclude PSLs at this point. After sitting in that horrid Meadowlands parking lot for over two hours several times this year, just trying to get my car out of there, yes, I would gladly pay a one-time fee to get my team into a stadium where we, the fans, could take mass-transit to the stadium. A stadium that would, at last, make New York a year-round destination for large scale events. And I am not alone in that sentiment. But, of course, in your eyes, that just makes us a bunch of suckers.

Personally, I think we suckers are a hell of a lot better off than arrogant jerks like you.

Tom McMorrow, Jr
Founder, WestSideStadium.org

Young Ideas

I am a college student in Rhode Island and I am from Long Island. I have just visited your web site and it was been very informative. I vote yes for the stadium. Its a great investment which will pay for itself and add funds for the city.

Yes tailgating at Giant stadium for Jets games is fun, however, the commute back and forth is awful. Its a main reason why many do not attend. They would rather just go to a local bar and watch it. However, the commute will be great in the west side. We would just hop on the LIRR and be there in no time. What's better then watching the jets in a game IN NYC. Nothing. can just see myself on my way to the game on the LIIR and everyone chanting J E T S Jets Jets Jets.

In terms of tailgating, I will refer to Fenway Park, Even though I am a die hard Yankee fan, I have to admit, Boston has a great atmosphere for there games. Probably one of the best in the country. With the new stadium plans, I feel the West Side Stadium will have a great pregame atmosphere topping Fenway Park and others. This really is worth it.

On a different note, being a college student and without money, and wanting to support this Stadium, I find myself wanting a T-shirt that I cannot afford at the moment. I know its not expensive, its just that I only have 6.54 dollars in my account. HAHA. Any sympathy? Worth a shot I guess. Thank you and Go Jets!

Best Regards, Chris McCrain

Awright kid, but ya better get good grades! But judging by your letter, I don't think that'll be a problem. You really nailed it. T-Shirt's on it's way.

PSLs and Ticket Prices

I am a New York City resident and a Jets season ticket holder. Could you please outline what the ticket prices will be if this stadium is built and the Jets make the move accordingly? I have heard ticket prices will increase and season ticket holders will be required to pay a license fee to purchase the tickets. I realize the final details have not been ironed out and ticket prices have not been confirmed but I'm sure you must have viability studies for this stadium that must include ticket prices...I'm just looking for a "Ballpark" figure.

Yours truly, John O'Brien

John, I don't know if you attended the season ticket holder meeting that the Jets held in September at the Sheraton. There was a q&a with Jay Cross, and his response was that the Jets were trying to avoid PSLs, but he could not preclude them, at this point. This is a very expensive building, but it has better earning potential, in terms of luxury boxes and stadium naming rights, than any stadium ever built before.That said, I personally wouldn't mind paying a one-time fee of $1,000 or $1,500, and I'm no rich guy. At the same time, the Jets are well aware that not every fan shares my sentiment, and the last thing they want to do is move into a new stadium which they can't sell out because they've priced themselves out of the market.

As far as actual ticket prices, I expect teh Jets, from everything I've heard, to keep prices in line with the rest of the league.

Build It!

The stadium should definitely be built. It will bring jobs to many New Yorkers and revenue to the city. Besides, we need to bring back the Jets to N.Y. , and away from New Jersey. What if the Bronx had voted against Yankee stadium, or Queens against Shea. Many people like myself feel it should be built and we should be heard. PLEASE DON't LET THEM WIN. THIS STADIUM SHOULD BE BUILT......... THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

Kathleen Donohue from Broad Channel, Queens.

Thanks Kathleen for your letter, I'll keep you posted on upcoming events. With supporters like you, we'll get this stadium built.

NO!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Traffic is a joke now. Don't insult my intelligence by saying there will be no increase in traffic with this stadium. If you want to expand Javits I'm all for it, but the Jet stadium has nothing to do with the Javits Center. If you want to put the Jets back in NY, then put them in a new stadium in Flushing Queens or Brooklyn.

R. Bernardo

So, by your logic, traffic problems in Queens or Brooklyn don't matter, the only thing important is that we not increase traffic in that forlorn dead zone called the Hudson River train yards. You take the politically correct position of saying you're in favor of the expanded Javits Center, without comprehending that the expanded Javits Center will have a much greater impact on day to day traffic flow on the west side than the stadium, whose main occupant will be using it on weekends and 9PM Monday nights.

What About Traffic?
As resident of Brooklyn, my neighborhood will not be affected by this new stadium
but I would like to know how this new stadium will change the flow of traffic on the
westside highway? As a commuter who passes frequently through the area by car, it is
normally congested in the midtown area. How does your proposals address this
important issue? I am aware that you plan on extending the 7 train but it will not
eliminate additional traffic on the westside highway. In fact, a new stadium will
increase the traffic I would love to hear back from you! 
Michael Lomagno


Hi Michael,
Traffic on the West Side Highway can be a noightmare during rush hour, but remember, 
football games are played on Sundays and late on Mondays, 9PM to be exact, so there 
is no overlap with rush hour. Some events will impact the highway traffic, I am sure, 
but those will be more convention center type events, with an occasional concert thrown 
in. In the end, this stadium is located to take advantage of mass-transit, which will 
greatly lessen the impact on vehicular traffic. 

Streaming Bad Vibes

The wonderful (in all but this) Mayor Mike Bloomberg, thank goodness, now sees the financial over "the ego" (not his, his deputy major's). He doth protest too much on NY1. Paris...always wanted to go there! Pop over to London then rent a car and do the countryside, too. It's so much cheaper than one $1,500.00 seat at the Olympics in NYC or to reserve the right to have one seat to watch the Jets at a cost of (?) $9,000. - never mind paying for the actual season ticket! And, with no place to park the car, we'll have to rent a limo at $300. from Tenafly, NJ (a mere 8 miles). Tisk, tisk. Scads of corporations have tax breaks and almost all have piggybanks and salaries much less that W. Johnson's billions...what was that exact figure again? That's not the point though. It's a bad idea in a bad place. About the FDR stadium name, well, that's up to the highest bidder (unlike the MTA property) probably around, if you look it up, at least 75 million...no, not for NYC or NYS...the Jets get it. Barbara, second generation tailgater

C'mon, Barbara. In your earlier stream of consciousness email you stated that you live in the area, here you're now taking a limo from Tenafly.Tossing around a number like $9,000 for a PSL is ridiculous. Anything at that level would be a corporate luxury box type deal. If the Jets tried to charge regular fans that kind of PSL, we wouldn't pay it, and they know that. They are not doing this so that they can go broke with an empty stadium. As for the rest of your stream, it speaks for itself.

Go Take a Long Walk off a Short Pier

I have an idea.You should tell bloomberg to pay for your stadium.I guess the corrupt unions need work so they want the tax payers to foot the bill an then when we want to go see a football game they will gouge us again to walk in the door.When does it end.They should Do somthing good like tie a cement block to all of you and bloomberg and walk one more block up.Please reply.

Glen Annarumma

C'mon, are you sure your name isn't really Charlie Dolan?

Boycott Dolan!

Hello,


    My name is Roy Weintraub and I have been very impressed with the website 
that you created regarding to Jets moving to West Side.  Guess what, Im all 
for it.  Its time for Jets to have their own stadium.  I just dont understand 
why Jets dont have their own stadium considering the fact that its NEW YORK TEAM 
and people assumed that New York has everything.


    Everytime I see something sprewing out of Cablevision's point of view, 
whatever its from radio, newspapers and/or television ads, it make me vomit.  It 
does make me run to the bathroom and spend three hours throwing up.  They are 
nothing but punks.  They fought against New York Yankees for 18 months about 
YES Network.  They went to the court and they lost.  They filed lawsuit 
against New York Mets, about Mets TV Network, and this case is still pending.  Now, 
they are fighting to prevent Jets from moving to West Side and Nets from 
moving to Brooklyn.  I have one question to ask them.  Who in the blue hell do they 
think they are?  Sometime Cablevision act like they are so special and they 
are above law, or even above everything else.  They act like they are always 
right and we are always wrong.  They think they should be treated differently 
than anyone else and the world should revolved around them.


    Well, once we get this stadium built, there is no way in the hell that 
Cablevision can stop Jets.  There is nothing more than for me to see Cablevision 
file Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  I really hated them now, more than ever.  I used 
to root for NY Knicks and NY Rangers but now, NO MORE, DOLAN.  When they 
choose to pick fight against Steinbrenner regarding to YES Network, I switched to 
become NJ Nets and NY Islanders fan.  I am not going to feed my money into 
Dolan's pocket.  I am afraid that Dolan will use my money to spend on the ads 
campaigning why they are against West Side Stadium.  I rather used my money to 
campaign why we should have West Side Stadium.


    I hope we can get this West Side Stadium up and it would be my pleasure 
to see DOLAN CRY SO HARD that he could create his own river coming out of 
Garden.  I havent gone to Garden for two years and I have no plan on going back 
because they are idiots.


    If there is anyway I can help you regarding to rally or to declare my 
support on the West Side Stadium, please let me know.  I have the tee shirt - 
BUILD IT - already when I bought them at the NY Jets training camp, this past 
summer of 2004.


    Feel free to send me email if you need anything from me.


Thanks,
Roy Weintraub

Hi Roy, thanks for your support. We'll keep you posted on upcoming events.

Wise Beyond His Years

I think that the west side stadium is a great idea, sure it would take alot of money to build it, but it will pay for it's self and then some over time.

Some say to use the money to build schools or re-open fire houses, but if we do what they say, the money will be gone, and then what, we will not have the money to keep up the schools and keep the fire houses open, build the stadium and it will make the money to do all that and more.

This city doesen't have alot of money, so we have to make it grow.

My name is Vincent Caltagerone, I live in Brooklyn, NY. I am 16 years old and I want to see a west side stadium, I would like to learn how I can help. Thank You

It's great to see you get involved, Vincent. It's important for folks your age to take some time to learn about these issues, no matter which side they eventually come down on. You are our future, and this project is about the future of our great city.

We'll add you to our mailing list and keep you posted on events.

Let us know your shirt size so that we can drop one in the mail for you!

Tom McMorrow

The Horror...

I have traveled the west side highway and I cannot imagine the horror of how much worse things would be if we had the stadium of this magnitude on the west side.

Please do not build this stadium it would be a big mistake.

Rita

FDR Stadium?

Hello, Friends, Highest commendations for the extraordinary and outstanding design of the New York Sports and Convention Center! I wish to propose a name for the stadium...

On January 6th, 1941, before a joint session of Congress, FDR declared, "Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere"--his noble and ennobling Four Freedoms speech, and inaugural third term State Of The Union Address. FDR, native New Yorker, Governor of New York, and four-term President-elect, presiding over our nation during the greatest world conflict of all time--I suggest, PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT FREEDOM BOWL, aka, THE F.D.R. FREEDOM BOWL, a title that all Americans can embrace. Such a facility in New York City would command attention for a season-ending top-tier college bowl game of the first rank. As well, a season-opening kickoff match-up would draw teams with strong national recognition from all parts of the country. The stadium would be an ideal venue for the Annual Army-Navy Game. And, who knows, perhaps NYU might decide to resurrect its long-dormant football program due to the overwhelming appeal and close proximity of the Freedom Bowl--The Big Ten Conference is still looking for a 12th member.

Sincere regards,

Russ Thorson Riverside, CA~One of NYC's fine outer suburbs!

You, you, you, YOU GUYS STINK!

I am strongly opposed to the stadium. I am a huge sports fan and would love to see a new stadium financed WHOLLY by the team and only by the team. If this is not possible the Mets have expressed interest in splitting the cost of a Flushing stadium. If you want public funds why are you so afraid of a public referendum? Weather you pay for if with public funds or private funds the area must be rezoned and the public will be affected. We must have a voice. We must vote. Why dose this scare you so much? Is it because your own fans in Giant Stadium booed so loudly when the picture of the stadium was put up on the diamond vision, that it was taken down and has not been put back up? Why are you afraid of the voices of the public? Why are you afraid of the voices of YOUR fans? Why are you afraid of the truth? WHY DON'T YOU WANT A VOTE? It just makes me wonder........ Brian Murphy

Brian, relax. First off, we are not the Jets, we are folks just like you with a different point of view on this issue than you have. We live in the area, we work in the area. So, when you say "...you want public funds..." or "...you (are) so afraid of a public referendum...", realize you're talking to your neighbors, not some abstract entity.

Now, you ask why we are afraid of a referendum? Personally, I'd love to see a referendum, if that was the way the city worked. Then, the Jets could flood the air waves with ads the way Cablevision has, we could have a vote on it and settle it once and for all. And, by the way, it would pass. But Brian, that is not the way the City Charter is written. It took years to write the current City Charter, but if you want to lead a campaign to rewrite it, count me in. You should be able to get it done within the next ten years. At the same time, life goes on, and organizations in the real world like the New York Jets pursue projects under the City Charter, as it is written, today.

You talk about zoning. Wake up, Brian. While Christine Quinn and company have been screaming about the stadium in public, behind closed doors they have approved the largest re-zoning of the west side ever. They buy political cover by waving the stadium around like a red cape in front of a bull, and you obligingly charge ahead, blind to the sword that is about to cut you.

Don't be a dupe, Brian. Learn the facts.

Sincerely,

Tom McMorrow,
Founder, WestSideStadium.org

The View from Scotland

I have been a jets fan since 1985 and think the building of a new sports
complex in Manhattan would be extremely beneficial to New York itself.
If as hoped the Olympics do come to New York in 2012 then you would
indeed have a stadium worthy of holding such a World renowned event. The
cost does appear quite high however you should compare it to the cost of
the new stadium being built in London, England. This stadium project has
a projected cost of £750 million (pounds sterling) now convert this into
US dollars and you’ll see that while the New York stadium is expensive
it is by no means the most expensive one being built. I for one think
the benefits outweigh the costs. What about the jobs that will be
created across this complex not just in the stadium, then there’s the
revenue from the countless events that will be held in the complex. If
you take all this into account then it seems on the face of it a viable
and worthwhile project for the city of New York as a whole.
 
I live in Scotland (Great Britain) in a small village 17 miles east of
the capital city Edinburgh. Some may say that my views don’t carry the
same weight as I’m not a New York native but I feel it’s my duty as a
Jets fan to give my support to this project.
 
PS. I’ve never been to a Jets game but some day I will get the funds
together and come visit.
                                                                

 

T-Shirts go Coast-toCoast!

Hi,
    I live on the West Coast, but I've been a Jets fan for years.  I ordered one of
your T-shirts so that I can (at least in a small way) help the stadium effort. 
I also called the MSG 800 number so I could press TWO and vote for the stadium. 
MSG makes it pretty obvious that they want you to vote against it.  I thought it
was very funny how they try and guilt trip you into pressing ONE.  I know it's
not my tax dollars going towards this, and I should probably feel bad about the
schools and Firemen and such, but I went ahead and voted for the stadium anyway.
 

Keep up the good work!
Go Jets!
Dan Squire
Springfield, OR

My name is Kevin Richards, NY (not N.J.) JET fan.  Season ticket  holder I go 
to most of the away games also.  I am tired of going to cities  like Indy and 
Houston to enjoy a NY Jet's football game in a first quality  sports 
facility. Let's get out of the swamp!
 
Thought you would get a kick out of the plates. Use the picture if you  want.

Thanks for the reply.

I have gone to all the away games this year so far and it's very funny to be told by fans of the San Diego Chargers that the New York Jet's should have their own stadium. I am a corporate real estate executive and have leased sold and managed over Seven billion dollars of commercial and residential real estate in NYC. I cannot believe the fight you guys are getting over this stadium.

I think the "Ed" ad with the other firemen was the best so far. Use the picture I sent you as you wish. I also had a white NY Jets jersey made with the numbers 09 (as is 2009 ) on the front and back and in the name block I put what my license plate reads NYC JETS. Opening day Mr. Johnson and the Mayor saw the jersey (front row seats) and both gave me the thumbs up. I will send you a picture I am sure you will smile when you see it. Good luck! J! E! T! S! JETS JETS JETS

TWU Member Supports the People's Stadium


I writing this e-mail to show my support to you n what I believe has been long overdue. I myself have sent e-mail's & letters to my local politicans, as well as those who oppose the NYSCC. I'm also writing this to let you know, I will be there for next Wednesdays' (9/29) demonstation near madison square garden. Please let me know what time, & where to meet. In my opinion the NYSCC will be the peoples' stadium, & we should fight this cause to no end.

For the record I am a NYC Transit subway conductor (TWU Local 100).

Thank You Very Much.

John DiDonato

Build Build Build!

The stadium is a great idea - good for the city; and if Cablevision feels its too much competition that's no ones business but theirs.

Build build build!

Steven Kane

No Stadium, Please

Dear WS Stadium Organization,

I request that the stadium for The Jets NOT be built on Manhattan's West Side. I think this stadium will stress Manhattan's infrastructure and cause too much pollution.

Thanks,
Murtland Strotbeck

It's About the Jobs

To whom it may concern:

I am a Recreation professional who also happens to be a life long Jets fan. As a recreational Professional I plan and organize events and programs for all the residents that live within the Village of Briarcliff Manor.

Having earned a Bachelors degree in Parks and Recreation Management, and applying this knowledge for the last 5 years, I understand the importance of a quality facility as well as the potential for employment within the community. This is why I back the west side stadium up 100%. I have heard many other reasons through various outlets (talk shows, papers, friends) why this might not be the best vested interest for the west side, and although I am not an economist, I think it all comes down to the creation of jobs. This alone manifests tax dollars, higher employment rates, confidence in investors and new opportunities. The new opportunities that are on the horizon get me excited each time I am engaged on this topic. As well as the possibility of being on the inside of this issue as program planner for the facility some day. Thus becoming a working example (pun intended) against all the mud slingers and nay sayers! Keep up the good work, because in the end the results will speak for them selves.

Jason Gallo

Right on, Jason. Hope to see you at the rally on the 29th, if you can make it.

You Guys are Lying Bags of Wind

You guys are lying bags of wind. You know this whole idea will never be profitable and will only further suck money from the 77,000 people who would hold tickets. This is the Bigeest bunch of propaganda I've ever heard in my 46 years and will most CERTAINLY not bring the money-losing Olympic games to NYC and also the Supoer Bowl......wake up and tell the truth. Ron

Yes, Ron, but how do you feel about the stadium?

Cablevision's a Bunch of Paranoid Punks!

NYSCC? GO FOR IT ALL THE WAY!!!!, CABLEVISION ARE A BUNCH OF PARANOID, POWER-THREATENED PUNKS, THEY ARE TRYING TO PROTECT "THEIR TERRITORY" THAT EVEN MEANS THE RAILROAD LOTS WHERE THE STADIUM IS GOING TO BE PUT. THEY PAYING EVERYBODY TO LIE.

IT'S LIKE THIS,
CABLEVISION
-"I'LL GIVE YOU $400 MILLION, HALF OF WHAT'S BEING PUT INTO THE STADIUM IF YOU SPREAD THE WORD TO THOSE SAYING "$800 MILLION INTO A STADIUM? THERE'S BETTER CHOICES TO DO WITH $800 MILLION",... "SAY NO TO A WEST SIDE STADIUM" WHEN REALLY IT'S GOING TO OUR POWER & WE'LL PAY YOU GUYS BACK, BLOOMBURG IS COVERED TOO."

ALSO THEY ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE OLYMPIC DREAM 2012 IN NYC JUST AS IT IS, A DREAM. BESIDES THE GIANTS CAN STAY IN GIANTS STADIUM, WE AIN'T SHARING THE SAME PLACE, PLUS THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE JETS & GIANTS CAN HAPPEN MORE OFTEN NOW THAT THEY HAVE SEPARATE STADIUMS, GIANTS & THE MEADOWLANDS, & THE JETS HERE. THE SUPER BOWL HERE WOULD ALSO BE FULFILLED. SIMPLY THE ONLY WAY SUCH EVENTS AS THE OLYMPICS OR THE SUPER BOWL WILL STAY DREAMS IS BY NOT BUILDING THE STADIUM, HAVING THE STADIUM BUILT BETTERS THE CHANCES OF SUCH BIG EVENTS. NYSCC ALL THE WAY!!!!!

ROB aka "GENERATION JETS!!!"

PS.-
THE "GENERATION JETS" IS BECAUSE MY AUNT UNCLE & COUSIN ARE JET FANS, OF COURSE IM A JET FAN TOO. TRADITION RULZ!!!!

Rob, you certainly aren't shy with your point of view!

Not a Bright Idea

(All email is re-printed as it is recieved)
you may think that the west side stadium is a good idea, but manhattan is congested enough as it is. we dont need a stadium on the west side. and what of the people that live in the area, with the amount of trouble they already face with parking, with your stadium, they now have to lose more. i tell you what, you people, mayor moneybags and the jets want the stadium so damn bad, how about you, the mayor and the jets pay for it, instead of using 600 million of city tax dollars, that is more importantly needed for our firehouses and schools and other things we need more importantly than the jets.
Darin Bronka

Darin. You've got to stop watching so much TV, those Cablevision ads are clearly getting to your brain. The 600 million dollars in question is not coming from the salaries of cops or teachers or schools or firehouses. We cover this elsewhere on this page and on this website. One thoing we COULD do to pay our cops and teachers is to simply force Madison Square Garden, owned by America's most hated monopoly, Cablevision, to pay their real estate taxes. That's 12 million a year. But good luck in getting politicians like Richard Gottfried, who is nothing more than a paid shill for the Dolan gang, to stand up and fight the real fight for us tax-payers.

A Forum for Stadium Debate

Thanks to your website, the lively debate continues at this forum: 

 

http://forums.wirednewyork.com/viewtopic.php?t=944 
  
-NYGuy Thanks for the link, NYGuy, and keep the debate going!

How Can I Become Involved?


I've looked on your website and saw a number of ways that you suggest people support
the stadium.  Is there any other grassroots activity going on, such as voter i.d.,
phone banking, or literature drops?  If so, I'd be interested in becoming involved. 
If not, I'd be interested in assisting with the planning of such efforts.
Thanks,
Sean 

In the next couple of weeks we'll be revising our web site to enable readers such as yourself to become
actively involved. At the same time, we'll notify you of any developments where you might be able to assist.

You're an Idiot!

It's just MANY people's opinion, but the idea of building a huge stadium in Manhattan is just... well... idiotic! On your own website you talk about events such as the Olympics. Yeah, we're all into the Olympics. Great to watch on TV. But do I want to have it in my back yard? NO! But not only that. You really threw me when you talked about the SuperBowl! You're thinking you want to bring the SuperBowl to Manhattan? Do you guys have ANY common sense at all? Apparently not!

I also don't know why everyone thinks it's so urgent that the convention center be expanded. We already have huge events there. As far as even bigger ones are concerned, I have a brilliant idea: let the bigger events be held some place that has a bigger convention center! Some place ELSE! Isn't that a novel thought! Why is it that so many people think New York has to be the be-all and end-all to everything? I do not understand. It's a big country. There are lots of places - even lots of big cities - that have a lot more space than we have here. I'm firmly in favor of development of these large facilities... somewhere else! Please! Don't be ridiculous!

- - - - - - - - - - Keith Gardner

Okay Keith, so we just let those railyards rot. And while we are at it, lets tear down the theatres and museums and Wall Street and Madison Avenue and all the other stuff that makes this city so damn crowded. Then we can sit in our rotting train yard, you and me, and watch the sun set over our desolate (but not crowded!) city.

Love Stadium, Not PSLs!

As a fairly new season Ticket holder I must admit the prospect of seeing a game in late
December indoors, or a game in October on a rainy day under a roof is inviting! Taking
the train to the games from my home in Putnam County is also very attractive, though
tailgating will be sorely missed! We’ ll figure something out! I just wish we could have
some straightforward answers on the issue of “personal seat licenses”!!!!! I would hate
to have to give up the season tickets I was finally able to get after waiting 20 years to
get them!

James Chetner

From speaking to Jay Cross, my impression is that the Jets are trying damn hard NOT
to use PSLs as a mechanism of financing, but really are not certain yet if they can say
categorically "no." 800 million is a lot of money, but they feel that the return from many
areas (naming rights, suites, etc.)will offset the costs, but until the politicians stop the
grandstanding obstructionism, the Jets won't be able to gauge the actual final cost. So,
write to your representative, call them, email them, send smoke signals, whatever, and let's
build it!

T McM

No to the Stadium?

i would like a westside stadium to be built but without the use of public money.
i feel that the public money, being used to finance construction of the stadium,
can be used to improve our education system, hospitals & neighborhoods.

Roy Bacetty

Hi,

Our schools, hospitals and neighborhoods certainly could use an injection of money!
However, there are two kinds of public money.

The first is your operating costs, like your living budget at home. You measure the amount
of money you are taking in and you budget it. That is NOT the type of money we are talking
about here. (By the way, Madison Square Garden, owned by a billion dollar monopoly, does
not pay a cent of real estate taxes. Real estate taxes produce the money that DOES pay for
the operation of our schools, cops salaries, fire houses, etc. Madison Square Garden was
given this tax break 22 years ago. It was supposed to sunset after ten years, but politicians
like Christine Quinn, Thom Duane and Richard Gottfried are so beholding to the Dolan Gang
that that sunset has gone and set, if you will, costing our city almost $150 million dollars)

The second type of money is like the mortgage in your house. It is an investment in the future.
In most cases, of course, municipalities never see the actual return in dollars and cents, so I
could see making your argument, although I wish you could speak with Mayor Dailey of
Chicago as he discusses the benefits that can come from projects that elevate a city's image
and standing, especially when it looks in the mirror. Why shouldn't New York have access
to the Hudson River, one such improvement that this project will bring? In this case, however,
because of the building's specific location and design, the return on investment has been vetted
by organizations to whom the stadium is anathema, such as the IBO, and who have had to admit
that the stadium does pay for itself.

Now, let's get back to what you said about using public money for schools, hospitals, etc. That
money has to come from someplace. As you now see, we can't count on the politicians making
MSG pay their fair share. In the case of this project, however, the Jets will be paying the MTA
millions of dollars a year for use of air rights over the train yards, and the building, as an extension
of the Javits Center and as a facility in its own right will be bringing in tens of millions of dollars into
the city coffers. That is the money that will pay for our schools, hospitals and neighborhoods through-
out the 21st Century.

Sincerely,

Tom McMorrow, Jr
Founder, WestSideStadium.org

 

From Across the Pond

Hey, I just wanted to chip in with a view from a Jets fan all the way over in the UK.

I was in New York City last March, and during my stay there, I attended a major event in MSG,
as well as visiting to the Meadowlands (so I have some experience of actually getting to those
two places, from the perspective of someone "living" in the city.) MSG is kinda like the New
York equivalent of the old Wembley Stadium in London. Okay, it's nowhere near as big,
but the comparisons are still there - it's got a lot of history, but (before we pulled it down
to start building a new one) it was out of date and dilapidated. Purely as an indoor events
arena it's fine, but damn, they need to sort out the ways out of the arena for fans. Anyway,
that's not my point here.

The next night, I had to travel to the Meadowlands for an event at
the Continental Airlines Arena. Bearing in mind that there was around 20,000 people in
attendance, the crowds from New York City were a nightmare. The NYC > Meadowlands
bus service was inadequate, with a shortage of buses being laid on, especially on the way to
the arena. I can only imagine what it'd be like for around 80,000 people trying to get from
NYC to the stadium for a game.

The move to the West Side makes an awful lot of sense
though. New York is probably the only city in the Western world with a decent transport
infrastructure (well, compared to anything we have in England, anyways), but I can see the
problem with parking. New York, and especially Manhattan, isn't really designed to have
a large number of people driving through it and parking for a football game. I don't know
what the stats are on this, but I'd imagine that a sizable portion of Jets fans are served (to
some point) by the NYC Subway system? It's clear to me that single-sports stadiums are
NOT the way to go, especially in a city like New York where space is at a premium.
However, you have to consider the capabilities of this. Soccer isn't really big in the States
at the moment, and the Metrostars (with the New York/New Jersey tag) already play at the
Meadowlands. It's not like the Jets, who've adopted New Jersey as a home - but maybe
they could come to some sort of an agreement - like splitting the games between NJ and
NY?

Just one final word in closing: please, do NOT go down the route of having a
corporate name for the stadium or (indeed) taking "inspiration" from another.
Having to endure my soccer team playing at the "Stadium of Light" (when a stadium
of the same name already existed in Portugal) isn't pleasant at all; but it's marginally
better than having a faceless name like "Cablevision Field"...

Ian Hamilton (Sunderland, England)

Propane Solution?

Dear Tom:

I have read about the overwhelming response to tailgating and how it would
effect the fans in regard to the new stadium. While I agree that propane is a
safety hazard traveling through our tunnels, we must inform people that one
or two propane tanks would present a minimal security risk. An incident involving,
and subsequently releasing, propane gas within the tunnel would be contained
locally (in immediate traffic). While this would be unfortunate, it would pose no
greater risk than that of traveling down Interstate 87 or the like. Further, the
design of our tunnels would, indeed, contain such an explosion. At any given time
hundreds of tons of water and river bottom are forcing down on said structure.
This would make it impossible for a breach to be achieved by even several propane
tanks igniting simultaneously. As the tunnels, rightfully so, are off limits to
hazardous materials, I doubt that New York's Finest and The New Jersey State
Police and Port Authority would allow a full truck of propane into the tunnel.

If that is indeed a concern of people or persons to prevent a stadium from being
built (?) may I suggest charcoal and lighter fluid ( ! ). New York NEEDS for
Jets Stadium to be built to end the blight on our West Side. If only our rent
controlled citizens could see it that way I would not be writing and you could
concentrate on more important things than reading silly e-mails.

In Solidarity

Robert Spieler
Montrose NY

An Insightful look at the Question

I support the New York Sports & Convention Center for several reasons.

First, it will spur the City economy and raise City tax revenues more than enough to
pay for itself.

Second, it will provide much needed additional convention and exhibition space.

Third, it will anchor development of a part of Manhattan that has lay fallow for
generations.

Opponents of the project typically raise the following, refutable points:

1.  It will increase traffic.  But the facility will be used as a football stadium
only 10 or 11 times a year, mostly on Sundays when traffic is light.  Most fans will
use mass transit.  The facility will clearly reduce Jets-related traffic in the
metropolitan area since currently about 26,000 vehicles travel to the Meadowlands
for each game - even opponents concede that far fewer vehicles will travel to the
NYSCC for each game.

2.  Government funds should not subsidize development of the far West Side.  But no
one, absolutely no one, has come forward with a viable plan to develop anything on
the rail yard site without government funds to build a platform over the unsightly
rail yards.  Financing building the platform with bonds will generate an
unprecedented $800 million private investment by the Jets in the neighborhood and
will not take a penny from current government operating expenditures.  Financing
building the roof with bonds will allow the facility to be used year-round as a
convention and exhibition space, raising needed revenues for the City and more than
covering the annual debt service on the bonds.  Jets fans do not need a roof - the
Jets have never had a stadium roof in the team's existence.

3.  The facility will cut the neighborhood off from the waterfront.   But the
neighborhood is currently cut off from the waterfront by the unsightly rail yards
and the facility will actually make the waterfront more accessible, including by
decking over the adjacent highway.

4.  We should rebuild Lower Manhattan before we develop the far West Side.  But we
can afford to do both and we must build for the City's future, not just restore part
of what was lost to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

This is not a time for NIMBY - Not In My Backyard.  I live on the West Side and the
positives of this project far outweigh the negatives, for the neighborhood, for
Manhattan, and for the City.

Respectfully,

Michael Evan Avidon


Manhattan Stadium would get this Ct Resident 
into the City! (And by the way, MSG Sucks)
Hi, I wanted to tell you that I support your cause and would love a new stadium in Manhattan. Even though I live 90 miles away, I still would attend events at this stadium. It would be much better than Giants Stadium, since I could just take the train in, and would visit the City much more often. Also, MSG really sucks. They have moved into Hartford and have made sure we get very few interesting events and have killed hockey support by constantly promoting the Rangers with a minor league team to a market that always hated that team. One suggestion though. The stadium should be wide enough to hold soccer, and including soccer dimensions should help the stadium gain the support of soccer fans. They now say they want to hold international matches, but they should really have a full schedule of soccer. Also, real grass is a must if they want to have soccer, and I don't believe rolling in temporary grass will work. In my opinion, the plan is flawed but I hope they amend it. This is highly important. Thanks, Mike Hartford, Connecticut A Reader's Ideas First of all, I'm hearing that the city does not want to wait for the July 2005 olympic award date to start building the stadium. If the city starts now and spends the $30 million etc. now, the city will not have any money left over for the outer boroughs if no olympics. But if we get the olympics then the other outer boroughs projects for the olympic village and fixing up the Flushing park area, etc. will take place and all is fair (well at least one thinks, ha,ha). So (one way) to solve this problem, is for the city start spending on more of the outer boroughs now to be repaid offset by some of earmarked $26 million that is projected to be generated once the facility is opened. The financial mechanism is not within my expertise but i feel can be worked out. of course, if the olympics is awarded to us then things might be easier to work out. Now, there is another problem which Jet fans have with the Westside stadium - that is TAIL-GATING. Now is the time for the city to come up with a safe plan to build a park in the vicinity that could accomodate a potentially large area for the tailgaiters and stores to buy the food and supplies in the area rather than Jet Fans carrying it to the games. This has to be made public now so all the negative stadium feedback by WFAN can turn to positives. Also, the LIRR gotta make public its plans for a much closer stop to the stadium - possibly right underneath the stadium. Maybe also building NJ trains to stop there also. PUBLIC NOTICE HAS TO BE MADE NOW spuring positive action now. And now to the next issue - parking. If only plans could be made to build special limited PERMIT parking perhaps - not totally handicapped but enough to accomodate special needs parking. This is now down at other inner city stadiums ie Baltimore and Boston. This might be a start to get this project out the drawing boards and out to the brick & modor mode NOW! Thank you, Charles L. Albert Time to Bring the Jets Home Dear Tom, Me and my family were New York Jet season ticket holders when they played in Shea Stadium. We had to give them up when they moved to New Jersey because my late grandfather did not want to go all the way out there in his condition (he was in a wheelchair). I am now on the waiting list for tickets. When my name is called, I will get the tickets no matter where they are but I want the Jets back in New York. I am all for the West Side Manhattan stadium and I will fight for that (I was at the City Hall rally on June 3rd), but if that does not work out for whatever reason, I just want them back. If not Manhattan, somewhere. Anywhere! Just bring them back home to New York! Now about names, how about Ewbank Field? Namath Dome? Robert Wood Johnson Stadium (after Woody's great-grandfather)? Just don't put a corporate name on it. Thank you. Barry A. Rogers Time to Speak Up! I live in (Chelsea) I am rarely, maybe never, involved in community activism or "political activities"; but I must speak up now. I live here too and am very much in favor of the stadium because it will be good for the city and for small businesses. It's a beautiful design. I look forward to the Big Apple Bowl! Ross Wisdom Chelsea resident Attention, New York Jets and MSG! Sir, I was at the last hearing on Thursday 6/3. I will be unable to attend the up coming hearing this Monday 6/14. I am sorry but I have to work that day. Just one point that I must ask you to make very loudly when you have the floor. "Cablevision is the force that is behind the opposition." A tax free opposition receiving large tax breaks from this city. thank you and good luck. Ken Gill P. S The Jets need to release to the media and their fans that ticket prices willn't go though the roof when the stadium is build.
The Jets need to reach out in two different directions. We all understand that ticket prices will be higher in the new stadium. $90 to $100 would not surprise
me in 2009. However, the Jets could go a long way to to solidify their fan base
by reassuring their fan base that ticket prices won't go through the roof, whether
that roof is opened or closed. Secondly, many marginal local opponents could be swayed if they were convinced that the traffic problems have been dealt with. I'm convinced, but I have taken the time to study the issue. Most people don't have the time. A well placed ad campaign dealing
with traffic could go a long way here.-Tom McMorrow
Jetsinsider.com Member Signs On, With Reservations Even though I live 10 minutes from the Meadowlands, I would welcome the opportunity to use mass transit to travel to our own state-of-the-art facility. I do have a couple reservations about the move, however. I realize that tailgating as we know it will cease to exist. We have one of the largest tailgate parties in the NFL at lot 16H(www.jetsinsider.com). I will miss gathering with my friends before the games. The other concern is with the dimensions of the stadium. It would be ideal for a football stadium to be built solely for football. In order to accomodate soccer, the field needs to be a bit larger. This will force the stands further away from the action. Good Luck, Tom McIntosh Hi Tom, The nature of coming to a football game will be different at West Side Stadium than at the Meadowlands,no doubt. My understanding is that your group is going to tailgate on the Jersey side, then ferry over (maybe in an LST or LCI!) to the stadium. We'd be happy to print any info jetsinsider.com has on ferry plans. As for configuration,
the plans call for moveable stands, to keep fans close to the action.
THIS IS GREAT! ALL OTHER BIG CITIES HAVE STADIUM,NYC SHOULD TOO, I MEAN, ITS AFTER ALL THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD! KUDOS TO BUILDINGS THE STADIUM IN MANHATTAN! FROM A HARD WORKIN' MAN WE THINK SO, TOO! I live in Rochester, N.Y. and I support the stadium WHOLEHEARTELY as do many jets fans that I know. We are all sick and tired of the Buffalo Bills saying they are "NEW YORK'S ONLY TEAM" How can I get a hold of some T-Shirt so us upstate fans can show support! Joseph R Moore Hi, Joseph, see our answer to Sal, below. Hi, My name is Sal and I live on 45th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. As an ardent supporter of the stadium, (how could a rational person NOT want 1.4 billion invested in his neighborhood?) I would love one of your "Build It" T-shirts. Where can I get one? Sal One way to get a T-Shirt is by attending our rally at City Hall on Thursday, June 3rd.
We'll be posting details on our
Upcoming Events page Also, we'll be selling our shirts online, within the next week or so. Who Are You?! As a resident of Hell's Kitchen, I have to wonder, what is the average income of your Yes oriented folks. Do any of you live in Hells Kitchen. Do any of you have an income of less than 50,000 dollars. In your information you point out all the things that will be added to Manhattan including ONE community theater. One? Only one? It seems to me your priority is to sacrifice all of the humanity of Manhattan for the bottom line. Can you really think this 6000 jobs that are permanent is worth it. Who will get these jobs, what kind of jobs are they? Vendors? Managers? Big Deal Makers? Considering the 8,000,000 plus people in New York it seems to me a paltry trade of space and environment to make a few, and very few at that, rich at the expense of the ordinary New Yorkers in New York What about the people displaced by all this building....what about them, just move them to some place out of the way, uproot their lives for.....you? Can you address these questions? I look forward to your reply. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Sincerely, Jeremy Fortner

Hi Jeremy,

I'm going to print your letter with a response over the next few days.

I live in the area just like you, was born here, etc etc etc. I don't see why I should have to display my voter's registration card or my tax returns for the past ten years because I have a different vision for the future of the west side than you do. But I truly respect your point of view. You took time to compose a letter, and you're clearly passionate over the neighborhood, which is always good. Nothing is better for democracy than debate.

Tom McMorrow

Jeremy Writes in Response...

Thank you, Tom, for responding,

And I apologize for the tone of my questions. I forget that we are all human beings sometimes, its so easy to demonize the perceived opposition. You are right, I shouldn't out of that tone be asking you about income or etc. It wasn't until I read your email that I realized how intrusive and rude my questions were. I certainly wouldn't be jumping at the chance to respond to such an email as you have received from me. You are a gentleman and I agree that nothing is better for democracy than debate. Innuendo and insults are not beneficial to anyone. Best Regards and thanks again for showing me how to remain civil in a debate. Jeremy Fortner

Jeremy,

Thank you so much for your response. No matter what the outcome of this debate, we are New Yorkers, and at least for you and me, Westsiders, which gives us much more common ground than the more strident in our camps would let on.

Why Would Anyone Oppose the Stadium?

Hi! Can't wait for construction to begin on new stadium and World Trade Center. I'm 53 years old and I'm starting to panic if there are any delays. I work for Con Edison and in Manhattan on the East side. We have been hearing rumors that the Con Ed west side location is closing down to make room for the new stadium. Can you give me an update on this and when the construction might begin. I've been working in Manhattan for the last 31 years and know the area of the new stadium very well. For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone in their right mind would not want this for the city. Sometimes I wonder how anything ever gets done with all the red tape. Keep up the good work and this is a great site, just add some updates. Take care,

Mike Dwyer

Makes Sense for the City


The proposed stadium and extension of the Javits Center make sense for the city - and will be great for the Jets. The current economic projections, even discounted a bit, show the project eventually paying for itself, and the Jets are willing to pick up any construction cost overruns so the city and state will not bear the usual construction risk for a project of this size and scope. As part of the Javits Center, the stadium is sure to be used far more than just 10 - 12 days a year for football games. The extra capacity for the Javits Center will attract more and larger trade shows and conventions and result in more hotel stays in the city and related spending on restaurants, Broadway shows, etc. Unlike the construction of Lincoln Center that displaced blocks of housing, this project will displace no one. Building a platform on top of the train yards will cost a lot no matter what is built on the platform, and no other proposal (e.g., a park or housing) comes close to this one in terms of generating future tax revenues for the city and state. If the Jets built the same stadium in Queens or Long Island, it would be used far less often and more people would travel to games by car than would use mass transit to midtown.

Michael Evan Avidon

Hope to see you at the 9th Avenue Festival on the 15th and 16th, Michael!

 

Now How About Cheerleaders?

This will bring billions of dollars to the city and create thousands of much needed jobs. The hotel industry will flourish and the greatest city in the world will finally have a football team . Next on the agenda ....cheerleaders?

Homer

Homer, your odyssey with the Jets is about to end with a home on the isle of Manhattan. As for the siren song of cheerleaders, that is in the hands of the Fates.

A Soldier's Letter Home

We received this letter from one of our soldiers serving in the Middle East this morning, Thursday 4-23-04.

I am currently deployed with my unit in Kuwait.

I support the building of a new stadium on the west side and strongly believe it is time to bring our beloved JETS back home!! If there is anything I can do from out here to help the cause, please do not hesitate to write for I will be happy to do whatever I can.

We have to make this happen, it is a great plan not only for the Jets organization, but for the city as a whole. This will greatly increase our chances of landing the Olympics. I've seen the plans that were released to the media. As impossible as it may seem to make my city any more beautiful than it already is, this plan does just that! Please keep me informed of your progress. Thank you.

J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!

Estevan Ferrer,
A CO., 408th AG BN

Dear Estevan,

We'll do our best here in the Big Apple to follow through for you. I promise we will not let you down. We'll send you an update of the meeting, and will keep you posted of all future events.

We're hoping to put together a good strong coalition of New Yorkers such as yourself, who believe in the future of this great city, and who see that future with hope, rather than fear.

God Bless, and know that every American, no matter what their political persuasion, stands united with you and your fellow soldiers.

 

This is Bigger than just a Stadium

Good Day - Initially, I was against the proposed stadium. I'm a 32 year old LIer that has commuted to the Meadowlands for Jets games since they left Shea that makes the trek 10 times or so annually for the Jets (as well as the Kickoff Classic). The commute has never been a deterrent, not to mention, I thoroughly enjoy the tailgating available at the Meadowlands (which will undoubtedly change if a Westside Stadium comes to fruition). That being said, there is a much bigger picture here, something far more important than tailgating, traffic (which is moot argument due to Sunday games and mass transit), etc.. New York needs this. We need the jobs this stadium will generate. We need the money this stadium and other plan components will generate. We need to continue the revitalization of our great city. Those that oppose this plan are "bureaucrats" that do not have NY and its greater interest in mind. Do not allow this small minority to derail this initiative. It is far more important than simply a stadium where the Jets play or a "carrot" to help solidify NY's 2012 Summer Olympics bid. Good luck, and you have the support on me and everyone else I know.

Stefan E. Dunigan,
Smithtown, New York

Hard Core Jets in the Big Apple

I am in total support of the WEST SIDE STADIUM because I am a hardcore fan of the JETS and I think they should deserve better than to play in their rival's stadium. Also I am so tired of driving into New Jersey and paying all those tolls for bridges and tunnels. I cannot wait for this stadium to be built, not only it brings this city one step closer to host the 2012 summer Olympics but it gives us a greater chance to bring the greatest stage of sports which is the SUPER BOWL. I cannot wait to see how this city will transform in the next couple of years. Let's go JETS! JETS! JETS!

-Peter L

Stadium a Perfect Fit for this City

New stadium in a town forced to rebuild is a perfect fit.........I have Jet season seats,and am behind the relocation 100 %.......I hate the trip to Jersey....if not for the New York Jets ;that I have rooted for since the Titan days ....when I was a teen....I would stay out of that state.........I will use mass transit to grand central and probably walk across town........have lunch or dinner in the times square area or one of the NEW restaurants that the convention center are desperately needs I have never been to an olympics............or a super bowl...........or a final four................ The New Stadium will give me a chance to enjoy all these possibilities.

Thank you for your forum......Howard Berman

Ya know, Howard, Mike and the Mad Dog and their buddies in the media say that we don't exist. According to them, all Jet fans want a stadium in Queens, no if, ands or buts. It would be nice if they would take a few minutes to read these letters from REAL fans, and REAL New Yorkers.

Will it Happen?


I hope this project makes it. Do you think it will come to fruition?

-Dek

Well Dek, we've taken the first step, but this race is a marathon. Right now, the Wise Guys in the media and in politics will tell you, "Nah. It can't happen, not in this town." Right now, it is a one-sided disscussion. They don't see us. They don't hear us. We don't count. We've got to change that, each in our own way. We need a place at the table, and that is one of the goals of this web site.

 

Here's to the Stadium

What a beautiful stadium. As a long time Jet fan I could not be happier. Congrats to all who've gotten the project to this stage. Here's to breaking ground soon.

-Mark

Bigger Pics, Please

I would like to see some bigger pictures of the planned stadium.

Michael

Sure Mike,
click here for stadium pics

Queens Resident Supports Stadium,
but Concerned about Mass Transit

I live in Kew Gardens, Queens. You have my complete support for the NY Sports and Convention Center development and the planned redevelopment of the West Side. Please add me to your mailing list and feel free to use my name in support. I do have one concern, which may give ammunition to our opponents.

I believe the transit demand in the 34th Street Corridor is going to be severely under-served in the current plans. There are major destinations all along 34th Street, including the Fifth Avenue Shopping and Commercial District, the PATH Station, Herald Square, Macy's, MSG, and Penn Station. I am very concerned that pedestrian and transit demands along 34th Street are going to overwhelming, with nothing planned to meet it. This is particularly true, and severe, before and after events at the Stadium, and during major public events at the convention center.

Patrick M. Centolanzi, PE

Thanks for your support, Patrick. Fortunately, there is a project that has been bandied about which would alleviate a lot of the congestion you are worried about. We can thank the late, great Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan for the possible upcoming move of Penn Station to the old Post Office building between 8th and 9th Avenues. That would provide a welcome chance to modernize the entire corridor. The biggest mistake ever made was the destruction of the original Penn. We can't put the genii back in the bottle, but at least we can get a modern station with vastly improved interfacing between the IRT, IND, LIRR, Amtrak and New Jersey Transit lines. Also, the boulevards and parks leading to the stadium will be wide enough to allow plenty of foot traffic. There also is one other possibility which apparently the MTA and city have decided is not practical, but on paper, at least, seems to make a good deal of sense. (See memo to Mayor and Gov)

You Don't Need to be a Jets Fan to Have Common Sense

I just want to send an email showing my support in building a stadium on the West Side. I am not a Jets Fan but I do enjoy football. I get tired of going over to New Jersey having to pay $7.00 toll and parking fees to go see a game. I would much rather take a train and not have to worry about parking or traffic. I wish you well in your endeavors, and may any opposition to you be as little as possible.

I wish you well,

Kwasic J. Brown

Thanks Kwasic. The media seems to have been hijacked the past few days by those with the knee-jerk reaction to the issue, but interestingly, the email that comes through here rings with quite a different voice. Stick to your guns, and we promise we will stick to ours.

Enough with the Swamp, Let's Go West Side Story!


As a lifetime jets fan I have suffered along with many others attending games in the swamp, hoping the jets would finally get a home they could proudly call their own. As you can imagine I am thrilled with the west side stadium proposal. The redevelopment of the area itself is something that is essential to the growth of the city. Lets face it the Clinton area is a wasteland of run down buildings, parking lots, and rail yards. Basically a waste of very valuable real-estate. Development in this area can only help city not hurt it. The plans for the stadium and the surrounding areas are phenomenal and I'm a proud supporter of this project.

Sincerely,

David D. Rivera

The stadium itself is not going to dislocate one single resident. For readers who want to see the actual area in question, click

to see the" neighborhood"

Put the Jets in Flushing

Mar 27 Brooklyn NY

Do the Jets really believe their SUV + pick-up truck etc tailgating fans are going to take NJ Transit, LIRR or subway to a game? Hey, make it a big baseball park instead, move the METS to the west side, and put the JETS in a new football stadium in FLUSHING.

Steve

Steve, there is a myth now wafting through the air that Flushing is Nirvana. It ain't. Let's just take Mass Transit. Flushing has the #7. That is it. It would be fine for me, mind you- I live in Manhattan and could just jump on the west side IRT, and change at Times Square for the 7. However, the Long Island Railroad, which has been touted as an answer for Flushing by folk who obviously never use that line, is a non-starter because it does not link to Jamaica train station, meaning that to get to Flushing from most of Long Island, where many of the Jet fans live, you have to go all the way to Woodside Station, then change to a train going back east. By the time you would get there, you could be sitting in your seat at West Side Stadium, sipping a cold one. There are a ton of other reasons for our position, Steve, which you will find throughout this web site.

Keep Up the Good Work

I have been a Jets season ticket holder since 1978.Keep up the good work!!!

Brian Batchler

Waiting List Says "Bring it on!"


I feel this stadium is in the best interest of everyone involved. Including me since I'm on the season ticket waiting list.

R Sherry

 

Mike and the Mad Dog Called for Foul!


Dear Editor:
Keep up the great work educating people about the new Westside Stadium project! Perhaps, you can work on the two ignorant hosts of "Mike and the Mad Dog" who are notorious for making unfounded, baseless arguments about subjects they are not qualified to discuss. Their conduct during an interview yesterday with Jay Cross was a disgrace. I would encourage you to forward them the factual data you have collected concerning this project. It is obvious that yourself and others have invested significant time into understanding the merits and concerns surrounding this endeavor...and concluded intelligently that it makes good sense overall. After listening to Mike and the Mad Dog, it is my estimation that neither has invested more than the time of reading -- a few newspaper clippings-- and limited on-air moments to fairly evaluate the feasibility of the project. Please provide them the facts!

Thank you.
Carmine Abbruzzese

Thanks Carmine, for the letter and support. I do like Mike and the Mad Dog, but they can occasionally go off to the planet Mars. We'll do our best to send a rocket out there, and see if we can make a landing! At the same time, there is no reason why we all can't call, each in our own time, and let them know how we feel.

They Opposed Lady Liberty, Too!

I think this stadium will be a great thing for NY. Remember - people once opposed the WTC, the Empire State Building AND the Statue of Liberty. It seems a bit small-minded. What can I do to help support this?

Jim Baluyut

The truth is, Jim, some people are just afraid of change. They are the ones, right now, who are making the most noise, so they are the ones who are being listened to. Contact your local politicians and let them know how you feel. And reach out to your newspapers and radio stations. We have a voice in this discussion, too!

This Lifetime NY er Says J-E-T-S Jobs Jobs Jobs!

Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing as a life-long resident of New York City to wholeheartedly support your organization and its advocacy of a football stadium for the Jets which would be built on the west side of Manhattan. I would submit that the net benefits of this project including thousands of jobs that would be generated and badly needed residential development far outweigh any liabilities. The opponents of the stadium have thus far produced no sound reason for this project to not go forward . Thank you.

Sincerely,

James H. Bennett

I Live in Jersey, but the Jets Belong in New York!

As a dedicated Jet fan who lives in Monmouth county New Jersey I welcome the new stadium for my homeless football team. The Jets and the Jet fans need this, we need our own stadium desperately. It is horrible to walk into a Jet game with the Giants Stadium sign looking down laughing at us. Most people myself included will take mass transit to the stadium via Penn Station, NJ Transit, PATH, LIRR, and MTA. Please build this stadium.

Michael Pisano

You're right on target, Michael.


Words of Wisdom
from Fireman Ed

To the Editor:

One of my buddies just let me know about your site: www.westsidestadium.org. The page is totally awesome and I'm glad to see that one of our fans took the initiative to get the message out about the new Jets Stadium. As you well know, we Jets fans have spent far too many years faithfully attending games in someone else's stadium. As a guy who bleeds Jet green, I am thrilled about the prospect of finally having a home that we can call our own. In addition, the location on the West Side of Manhattan on the Hudson near Penn Station is going to work great for all Jets fans coming by train and ferry from both New Jersey and Long Island.

As I see it and as you mention on the site, the new facility won't just be a win for Jets fans but for the neighborhood as well. It will revive an entire community by adding parks to an area of the city that is barely used, plus waterfront access! It will bring money to New York City by serving as an expansion of the Javits Center and with its retractable roof we'll be a lock for the Super Bowl on a regular basis. With all the attractions and hotels and restaurants, is there any city that would throw a better Super Bowl than New York ?

Most importantly for all New Yorkers, whether they are Jets fans or not, it will create thousands of jobs for our city.

Thanks again for providing New Yorkers with such an inspiring look at our city's future and the great new home of the Jets. I look forward to celebrating years of victories in our new home with you!

Yours Truly,

Fireman Ed

Our Response:

Thanks for your support, Ed, and your words of wisdom.


Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight
Takes another Shot

Your report on our opposition at the Crain's New York Business breakfast forum on March 16th thoroughly missed our public relations victory.(Opposition Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight) Most news reports about this high profile power breakfast focused on our stadium protest which consisted not of shouting, heckling or otherwise boorish behavior that would have been widely condemned at such a high level event, but rather that we filled the entire ballroom with a sea of green flyers at every table poking gentle - but pointed - ridicule at the proposed Jets/Olympics stadium. Therefore, without a word we accomplished our goal - letting, as the NY Post article predicted - our presence and message known. At the the same time, the gestapo-like intro to the breakfast, warning of police action against us fell right into the trap and made our presence (a full paid table of responsible opponents from Queens and Manhattan) all the more visable and potent.The green flyers (color for the Jets and St. Patrick's Day) could not be missed and were also placed around the hotel lobby, rest rooms and coat room. We have gotten a great response to our e-mail on the flyer and have broadened our support base significantly. It was a brilliant coup. We said plainly in the NY Post there would be no "pie-throwing", only that our "polite heckling" would make it's point. Little did the other side know that the "polite heckling" would be in the form of flyers, for which they could neither evict us for or chide us for. And when Jay Cross looked out from the stage at that audience, he could plainly see that sea of green flyers in the audience. We accomplished our goal. They better watch out for our future "pies". Touchdown!

Dave Oats, Queens Olympic Committee

David David David. This web site has received over 5,000 hits since the Mayor's press conference on Thursday. We have received a blizzard of email, almost every single one stating support for the stadium. That is the kind of legitimacy you can't buy no matter how many stories you get an ex-employee of yours to plant in the New York Post. If your goal is to get your name in the paper, you've done a good job of it. You get the quotes.

We get calls from friends of yours, the same ones who are quoting you in the press, practically accusing us of being a front organization for the New York Jets (which we are not) or the 2012 Olympic Committee (again, no connection). Why do we get these calls? I like to think it is because we are swimming against the tide. We are fighting for what we truly believe is right. Not for money. Not for glory. But for what we believe is right and good for this city that we love.

Remeber one thing, David. The tide always turns.

He Said, She Said, Idiots!

Idiotic idea forcing me to use a mode of transportation for my children and I to go to a game and not even afford me the pleasure of tailgating. Stop the charade and look into moving the team into Queens.

John Papagiannis

Why must you strip away a ritual that we have been enjoying for over 20 years ? What is the alternative ? Do not tell me that I can visit the many local shops/restaurants in the area that will obviously dictate to me how much I should pay for a burger and a beer which I can assure will be grossly overpriced ?

Susan Papagiannis

Susan and John, you are the first husband and wife team to grace the mail page. It doesn't sound like there is much that I can say that would make you two happy. We've addressed tail-gating at length in earlier emails, below.

Go Stadium!

I'm absolutely for the Stadium. It would only be used 8-11 times a year on the weekend, however it should be privately financed. If the retractable roof stadium is built the City can join the rotation for the Super Bowl, it would generate hundreds of million of dollars in direct revenue for the city and untold millions indirectly through tourism. It's surprising that the assemblyman for that area can be so obtuse about the idea. The immediate vicinity of the stadium isn't that densely populated. Contrast this with the plan to place the Yankees there, then he would have a legitimate beef, 81 dates of the year plus the playoffs(given the Yankees history) during the Spring, Summer & Fall, as opposed to just the fall and part of the winter with the Jets. Sincerely Glenn McNally

Our Response:

Thanks for the letter, Glenn! Financing is key. Woody Johnson has put up 800 million dollars in order to build the stadium itself. The city's contribution is for the infrastructure for the stadium and for the area. Remember, the goal is to grow the area, not just the stadium. The funding must not come out of the city's operating expenses, that is clear. We're looking forward to seeing hard numbers on the project. That will do much to quiet the hysterical howling out of the opposition camp, because, as we have stated elsewhere on this web site, this stadium makes economic sense.

To the Editor,

I am so glad to see your site.

I was born in this city, and have lived in Clinton-Chelsea area since 1974. I also worked for the Commerce Department on the US Census for the years 1980 and 2000. During that time, I really got to know the city, especially Manhattan.

When I first heard of plans for a stadium in Manhattan I didn't like it. The problems were obvious, and I thought, if a team wants a stadium, why not just build a cheaper open air stadium, and, besides, could Manhattan really afford this plan. However, after really looking at the proposals for the area, at the public meetings, and through the media, I have swung around 180 degrees, to being a strong supporter for building the stadium.

Without going on and on, I it comes down to my experience in the 1980 and 2000 census. In 1980, the city was pretty run down, with the exception of a few neighborhoods. I remember walking through Alphabet City- it was like a war zone. Hell's Kitchen was Hell's Kitchen. Even areas like Chelsea were getting run down. In 2000,it was totally different. On both Census', I worked the setup, the taking of, and closing, and worked all over the island, from the Battery to up in Harlem. In that time (2000), it was amazing, the entire city had boomed-shops, restaurants, business, whatever, all, that is, except for the area around the train yards, which I guess people now call Clinton. That area has problems which have, I think, stopped development until now. You've got the dead waterfront, the train yards, the tunnel approaches. There are some people living there, but, mostly, it's a parking lot.

It's a mess.

I hear people complain about this plan, but I think they miss the point. The Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the IRT, The Brooklyn Bridge, and on and on. New York is a city of ambition and dreams. This plan is New York.

Let me know how I can help!

Fred Evers

Our Response:

Welcome aboard!

Manhattan is Great, but...


I am a Jet fan since 1980. I also happen to be from NJ. And having said that, there is no stronger a proponent of moving the Jets back to NYC than yours truly. They never belonged in Giants Stadium. It was a huge mistake moving there in the first place. However, while I think the Manhattan stadium would be great, I have a hard time seeing it happen. It is very apparent that Woody Johnson and his crew are putting all their eggs in one basket, and my worst fear is that they'll end up right back at the Meadowlands. If that happens, I am probably finished rooting for them forever. Queens is the more logical choice. There is space, there is a vocal endorsement from the borough president and, most importantly, there would be MUCH less resistance from the locals. A new Queens stadium could probably be up within three years, unlike the West Side plan which has tons of hurdles to clear and, even it clears them all, won't see the light of day till 2009 at the earliest. I'd love to see the West Side happen, but it's still a major longshot. Woody needs to be pragmatic here and do what's best for the franchise. Their roots are in Queens and they'd be welcomed back there.

Marc Bernstein

Our Response

Thanks for your very thoughtful letter, Marc. Actually, there would be issues with a stadium in Queens, as well. As New Yorkers, we are fighting for this stadium in the now fallow West Side train yard area, not just for the Jets, but for the city that we all love.

 

No Stadium!

Traffic and more traffic. Too massive a structure on our waterfront's edge. Where are 20,000-30,000 tailgaters going? A stadium would be an attractive nuisance - i.e., a toddler and a unfenced swimming pool. Hideous. Build a luxury waterfront condo with marina instead. It would stop all vehicle movement and clog a major artery. Bloomberg is too smart - he would never approve of those numbers. It would ruin living here. No way, the Jet fans won't come. Stupid idea - hotels, office space, and apts. are needed. Real men don't take ferries! It will absolutely ruin the whole look of the westside. Too big. Forget a subway, have electric shuttle buses. Are they moving Broadway theatres to deal with the traffic? Will hot coals from grills be dumped on the highway and in the river? The Parks Committee said there would be a beach at 34th - not an eyesore. The structure completely walls off the Hudson. After fighting for the Hudson River Park...this? Great - drunken men urinating. Well, that is all I am giving time for... this week.

As a Bloomberg campaigner and voter I just hope to God that the facts are revealed...not just the financial, but as someone who pays property tax, it is a very frightening proposition. The quality of our lives - - and the destruction of the Hudson River Park - - is clearly at stake. I join thousands who care more about New York City than about a game. What are the zip codes of season ticket holders? How many live in Manhattan? I spoke at the panel discussion as "a tailgater" - - tailgating is a fantastic ritual and now it all ends? See you at the Army/Navy game? The facts of "recreation vehicles" (and any other) parking never came up. Who is kidding who? The grills are huge...the propane tanks - -sometime 5 or more per club - - how are these coming under, on, or over the Hudson? Illegally. New Yorkers are not allowed to grill - gas or charcoal - in parks. There goes L.'s response. Parking lots can't allow it, either. It is called the law...and the basic laws to safeguard citizens will not be altered. In closing. This is a really poor idea - - for two weeks of Olymics? - No. For the glory of the Jets? No Jets fans to never tailgate again? What about their standing as #7 site for tailgating? No way! The kind of destruction a stadium would have is just not worth it. Build the best you can conceive of in the Meadowlands - where there is space. The stadium is not welcome here.

Barbara Hobens Feldt

Our Response

We encourage opposition email, but would strongly suggest brevity.

You've made many points, some of which make sense, and many of which don't. In the main thrust of your argument, you seem to want to have it both ways. You bemoan the loss of tail-gating, then you ask, what should we do about the tail-gaters? You've already answered your own question.

There will be no tail-gating at the stadium, itself. There will be no tail-gating on the side streets. Jets fans are very aware of the changes proposed. Some are happy, and some are not (See next couple of letters, below, for both readers questions, and our response.)

If you are a season ticket holder, you should consider what you are about to gain, playing in the finest stadium in the world, a stadium which is five minutes away from Mid-Town Manhattan. If, on the other hand, you simply oppose the stadium on any grounds, and are seeking a wedge issue, you need to find another issue.

Queens, Please...

Whom It may concern, My personal mixed feeling is that I would to bring the Jets back to New York City get their own stadium. However, I am not that crazy of having the stadium built on the west side Manhattan. If city wants 2012 Summer Olympics games, it better considering build a Olympic Stadium in the Willets Point section of Flushing,Queens the east of Shea Stadium. And one more thing, the NY Jets should reconsidering of getting their own stadium in Queens as well.

Yours truly,

Gustav Farley NY Jets fan

 

 

I rather them back in Queens then in Manhattan! True football fans will feel the same way! Where are you going to tail gate? What about traffic? Price of tickets and parking will be sky high! I have been a season ticket holder for 15 years, this is a true injustice and will be a downfall for this organzation!

Mr. Johnson Please reconsider this before it's too late..

Thank You,

Michael Balestrieri

 

Woody, Stay in Jersey! Knock down Continenal Arena and build your stadium there. As a long time season ticket holder, it would be a disaster to back to NY. From the plans I've seen, there is no place to tailgate, and thats a big part of the whole Jet experience.

Kenny Ray

Our Response

Thanks for your emails. The editors of westsidestadium.org had the same initial response to this proposal as you both have. However, after going through the issues, one by one, we, too, (as with Fireman Ed and other readers) have swung around 180 degrees, on the issue.

We are also season ticket-holders, as well as NYC residents, and we all currently tail-gate at the Meadowlands. I, myself, have been going to Jet games since the mid-sixties. We have no other connection with the Jets, other than our common belief in the benefits of this stadium.

1-Tail-gating
The experience of going to a game at West Side Stadium will be a different one than from what you experience, today. I love nothing better than a hot dog and an adult beverage (usually a spicy Bloody Mary!) before I head into the stadium to root for the Jets. That is not going to change! The difference will be, that I, and most of the NYC area fans, won't be driving to the stadium, we'll be taking Mass Transit. And we won't be building a fire in the parking lot, we'll be stopping into one of the hundreds of local taverns on the West Side.

If you're one of the fans who don't live in an area where you can use Mass Transit to get to the stadium, there will be parking. After you park, if you want to get together with your buddies before the game, just cross the street and walk into Stadium Pub, or any of the other establishments that will be lining 11th Avenue. Just like going today to Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park or Wrigley Field.

Tailgating is a major part of the experience, today, of going to a Jets game, one which we will miss. But think of the trade-off, the ease with which you will be able to leave the stadium, and get home, quickly and safely. Want to get together with your buddies, and have a drink after the game? No problem, because you won't have to worry about the drive home.

2- Traffic
If there is any one issue that is over-blown in this debate, it is traffic, both for the fans, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Traffic at a stadium like the Meadowlands, where everyone is pretty much forced to drive to the stadium, is a nightmare. I have waited as long as two hours to get my car out of that horrible parking lot. There is no real Mass Transit option at the Meadowlands. You can wait for an hour to take the bus from Port Authority, as I have, on occasion, only to be made to wait in line for more than an hour after the game before you can get back on a bus. West Side Stadium is a stadium designed for urban use, woven into the fabric of the West Side Manhattan. Most fans will be using Mass Transit. Those that drive will be able to do so in comfort, park, enjoy the game, and exit without waiting in lines, for hours.. Traffic at a stadium like the Meadowlands is forced to converge into single lanes to exit. Traffic at West Side Stadium will not be converging into lanes after a game, it will be dispersing into the grid of the city.

3-Prices
Prices will not be any higher here than in Queens, because, as an extension of the Javits Center, West Side Stadium will be generating much more outside income, to balance the costs, than a stadium located in Queens could ever do.

These answers given here are quite brief. Each point you've all made needs to be addressed in depth, but that is the point of this web site! We'll be exploring these and other issues in the coming months.

 

I Said, No Stadium!

Facts:: 1. Many Jets fans tailgate. 2. The City and Hudson River Park (State & City-owned) will not permit tailgating. 3. Cross said this past Monday evening, in front of hundreds, that open space and park space would be built for tailgating. But, 4. that will not happen. He knows it; we all know it. I don't get what you don't get. The stadium should not be there. The big fun of the game to many is the tailgating experience. As someone who lives here, loves my neighborhoods and city, and owns here - - I have the right to be more that upset about the dangers of thousands of people illegally tailgating - Cross himself gave the stat of 30,000 - and they all have propane gas tanks. This does not mean that I hate grilling, just not when it is against the law and propane tanks are moving thorough our tunnels, streets, etc.

Barbara Hobens Feldt

Our Response

At least now, in this email, you have stopped playing both sides of the issue. You are against tail-gating in Manhattan. I am against tail-gating in Manhattan. Jay Cross is against tail-gating in Manhattan. I attended the same meeting at which Cross spoke. You have totally misunderstood what he said. When he spoke of the park, he was refering to the bubble in the park. I don't know when the last time you went to a Jet game was, but they put up a bubble, like a tent, and people gather inside, have a beer, hot dog, whatever. This is not tail-gating. He has already stated there will be no tail-gating. Also, 30,000 is the current number of cars at the Meadowlands. That is because there is NO public transportation, available. This stadium is the exact reverse, located in an urban setting, with all forms of mass transit available. The 30,000 number is simply not valid when making projections for Manhattan.

Going to a Jets game, in the future, after the stadium is built, will be like going to a Knicks game, today.

As someone who was born in Manhattan, and has lived here all my life, which I assume is the same for you, I think you might want to focus a bit more on the zoning, and less on tail-gating, but, that is just my opinion.

Sincerely,
The Editor

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